Engineer Roles in Public Participation Process

Engineers often are key participants in required public participation processes. A case in point is the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement which usually involves engineers as representatives of governmental agencies or as professional consultants. A less common but equally important role for the engineer is as a member of an advisory committee or as a voluntary participant in public hearings. A case study of a recently completed EIS process involving the expansion of Albuquerque, New Mexico's wastewater collection and treatment facilities suggests a number of ways that engineers in each of these roles might improve their effectiveness. Increased voluntary participation by citizen engineers is recommended as an effective means to improve the public participation process as well as to enhance the reputation of the engineering profession.