The Art of Commenting: How to Influence Environmental
Decision-making with Effective Comments - Elizabeth D. Mullin
Each business day, the government presents a dizzying
array of formal opportunities for public comment on
environmental documents. Anyone can comment on these documents,
and lots of people do. Unfortunately, many people prepare poor
comments. They miss important issues, and bury key points in a
dense body of text. They do not take advantage of background
information that could support their points and even may insult
the document’s author. The end result is that the person
responsible for revisions may not make important changes simply
because of the way comments were made. There is an art to
commenting effectively, and it is an art that can be learned.
The Art of Commenting takes the reader through a logical,
step-by-step approach to reviewing environmental documents and
preparing comments. You’ll learn how to prepare for a review,
including details on obtaining the right background materials to
develop your perspective and increase your expertise. You’ll
also learn how to organize and write your comments, including
specific examples of what to say, and more importantly, what not
to say. Although the book highlights federal environmental law,
the same process applies to state and local matters, foreign
laws, and even non-environmental matters. The communication may
vary somewhat, but the overall approach is the same. So whether
you’re a lawyer, consultant, government worker, company
employee, trade association staff, nonprofit employee,
volunteer, student, or seasoned environmental professional, this
book is for you. The Art of Commenting is designed to level the
playing field. To help you learn the tricks of the trade that
will enable you to participate as effectively as possible in the
environmental decision-making process.
