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Sometimes we just need to agree to disagree
by David Casaletto
Ozarks Water Watch Executive Director
A major part of my job is attending meetings and conventions that deal with water quality issues in Arkansas and Missouri. When I look around at the other attendees, most of them are paid to attend. They represent water quality organizations, regulatory agencies, governmental entities, business groups and elected officials. Sometimes there are those in attendance whose category is the general public but they are usually few in number, maybe because they have to spend their personal time and pay their own way.
Last Wednesday evening, I attended a public listening session in Fayetteville, AR held by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. The purpose of the meeting was to provide a platform for the public to submit comments on Regulation No. 2 prior to the initiation of the official triennial review process. Regulation No. 2 establishes water quality standards for the surface waters of the state of Arkansas. Again, there were those of us in attendance that were paid to be there as part of our job, but at this meeting about half the folks were from the general public. I am sure part of the reason was this was an evening meeting.
 | | Learning about alternate watering sources for cattle. |
Altogether about 14 people gave comments. While those of us paid to be there commented on specific provisions of the regulation, the public tended to cover more general topics. What I heard them saying, many of them very passionately, is that they love our waters and the environment but they are scared the regulatory agencies are not protective enough, especially from threats from business and industry. Specific threats brought up were frack mining, land disturbance from construction and other pollution sources to both surface and ground waters.
 | | Land disturbance from construction. |
During my 2 hour drive home from Fayetteville that night, I had plenty of time to reflect on the meeting, the comments and the very complicated process we have of ensuring our water quality is protected. Many years ago, Congress passed the Clean Water Act. Contained in this law are very general statements that our waters need to be clean enough to be used in the ways we expect (beneficial uses) such as fishing, swimming and boating. The waters should also be clean enough to sustain the aquatic life that lives in the waters.
 | | Ozark stream clear and clean. |
The various regulatory agencies are then charged with developing regulations to achieve these goals starting with the Environmental Protection Agency headquartered in Washington DC and the various Regional EPA offices. EPA for the most part then charges each state with developing their state specific laws, rules and regulations. Many, many groups, organizations and individuals get involved in the development and enforcement of all the laws, rules and regulations with the regulatory agencies in the middle. Of course, when disputes arise the lawyers and the courts are brought into the mix with the result many times being very expensive and not real productive.
While the process will never be easy, I have decided that I am going to try to establish some ground rules for me to live by and I list them here for your consideration.
- Stick to the facts. The facts should be all that is needed. Never stretch, embellish or exaggerate to try to prove a point or promote a cause.
- Keep an open mind. There are always two sides to a story. Listen to what everyone has to say. Consider their side and attempt to find common ground.
- Never ever make a personal attack on another person or defame their character. Everyone has a right to their opinion and they deserve our respect. Many times we have to agree to disagree.
- Understand the system we have to work under. In some instances, a regulator may agree that an action should be taken but are prevented from doing so by the law. Learn what has to happen to achieve a goal and work within the system to make it happen.
- Evaluate costs vs. benefits. A friend of mine has a saying that it is possible to achieve almost anything with the application of enough money. But in the real world we have to make decisions by asking what will it cost to accomplish this goal and given we have limited resources, could we get more bang for our buck by doing something else. Many times the solution being proposed will not even solve the problem.
- Encourage the local "community" to take ownership of their natural resources. Those who live, work and enjoy an area should be the group to ensure that area is protected.
- Educate the children on the importance of protecting our natural resources.
 | | Children learning about water quality. |
While I realize the above may be oversimplified, I sometimes just shake my head when it seems we have too often have lost sight of common sense. There is a middle ground. Let's all work together to find it.
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