And it is a grand and glorious morning along the Upper Hudson!
As you may know I've become involved in your Community Action Group, as a self-appointed back bencher. Attending these meetings is a fascinating educational experience that goes far beyond the nuts-and-bolts of the Hudson River PCB effort.
Science, politics, psychology, economics, law, rhetoric, theater, emotion, ambition... truly a proseminar of the interdisciplinary. As the CAG website states its purpose is to:
- Promote broad, balanced representation of communities and stakeholders along the entire site, in this case the Hudson River;
- Encourage more routine and consistent communications and coordination between EPA and the community;
- Solicit ongoing recommendations about ways to enhance community involvement;
- Provide an avenue for the community to voice its needs and concerns;
- Provide for a consistent source of dialogue for EPA to gauge interests and needs.
Were I asked to grade the CAG on these terms, I would give it a solid A.
In fact, if the governing body of the EU functioned as well -- especially at facilitating understanding and appreciation (if not agreement on process) -- as this CAG, there would have been no "Brexit." Promoting education while acknowledging varying points-of-view -- from GE, to local residents, to environmental organizations that touch on tourism, health, economy, and quality of life -- "the machine works." Props, as they say, the Consensus Building Institute and EPA's own Gary Klawinski, a master of organization, content, processing, and presentation.
At this point you are probably wondering "where are the photos? where is the nature angle?"
Thank you: here is the obligatory Nature Shot, taken from the house out to the edge of the bog and woods a couple days ago.
A doe and her fawn appear to be in residence in the scrub-woods between our pastures. Man our big rescue dog Bosco takes off like a NASCAR when they come out for a nibble of clover!
I am sharing this because, as I learned in an excellent short video, there is strong hard scientific evidence strongly suggesting a strong link between health and proximity to a PCB-laden Hudson. So even if these deer stay away from the river, they are in more danger than their relatives in Saratoga Springs, say.
Back to CAG.
The group is meeting next week in nearby Schuylerville, about five miles south of our farm.
Beth is the one who introduced me to CAG (through a reference in the newspaper) and she shares my interest in "all things Hudson." Additionally she's a great cook and fabulous hostess. So we hatched the idea of a pre- or post-CAG meeting "social" at the farm, a light time-out along the river.
Somewhat characteristically, I got a bit ahead of myself and envisioned a lawn party with this incredibly diverse group -- the GE rep playing bocce with local fishermen, Riverkeeper taking Gary for a canoe ride where the clam-shell dredging occurred -- I even toyed with inviting you and Jeff Immelt (we crossed paths a lifetime ago in grad school).
Ok, ok. A bit over-the-top. But a good idea at its core.
Just because we are doing something serious does not mean that we have to be deadly serious all the time!
I shared our invitation with Larisa Romanski, of your Community Relations group, and she passed it to the CAG Steering Committee who graciously accepted and played the "e-vite" role, to which we received a nice, if smallish, response.
So we have reached out to two local visionary operations: JUST Water (upriver in Glens Falls) and 9 Miles East Farm right near us. These folks "do core mission" and so much more. Every one tactic accomplishes multiple goals. They are marvels of quality product, market sensitivity, environmental stewardship, and they really, really "get" communication engagement! They see and do win-win, and are rewarded for it.
So we are looking forward to welcoming a nice sub-set of CAGers over to share some good food and drink while getting to know each other a little bit better. Win-win, a theme we embrace.
Why does CAG work so well? Clear structure and protocols, excellent leadership, and committed membership, But that's not all. Not by a long shot. For all of the group's disagreements there are core commitments that trump differences in angle-of-approach: everyone wants a cleaner, better environment.
With shared purpose, open and respectful communication, a plan, execution, review, adjustment... repeat, we see progress. Perfection? No. Progress? Yes.
We must hang in and work together. That's something else we can all agree on.