<< BACK-UP SYSTEM: AN INSURANCE POLICY: >>
Back-up Systems are often built into daily life. For example, many
public buildings that remain open at night, such as public libraries,
have an
emergency Back-up System for lighting. If there is a power failure
and the
lights go out then the Back-up Lighting System automatically comes
on line.
Powered by rechargable batteries, the system is not designed to replace
the
primary system, but instead, to provide just enough light for people
to find
their way out of the building.
In the same way, your Back-up System is not intended to replace your
primary position. It helps you survive the impact of a final outcome
where
all your concerns have not been addressed and it allows you to continue
to
keep open important aspects of the issue.
A Back-up System is like having an Insurance Policy that you create
to
cover yourselves in the worst case situation. Because it can protect
you from
some very serious problems and it requires a relatively small investment
of
energy, it deserves careful consideration even by groups in a very
strong
position.
DISTINCT ADVANTAGES:
There can be distinct advantages to a Back-up System:
1) A BACKUP SYSTEM CAN PROVIDE AN INSURANCE POLICY AND MAKE YOU FEEL
BETTER:
Being set up to survive the worst case can relieve some of your worst
fears
and lessen the feeling of threat and thus allow you to work more effectively
on your primary position.
2) BACK-UP SYSTEM ISSUES CAN OFTEN BE USED IN YOUR PRIMARY POSITION:
You may
see advantage in bringing up some of your Back-up System issues as
concerns of
your primary position.
3) WORKING FOR A BACK-UP SYSTEM CAN OFTEN BREAK A DEADLOCK: Working
to
implement a Back-up System can often produce progress even when your
primary
position has not. Progress with your Back-up System can lead to a change
in
your situation. It sets the precedent that you have legitimate concerns
that
need to be taken seriously and can add to your primary position and
to your
credibility as a group.
FIRST GOAL: SURVIVE THE WORST CASE:
In a Role Playing Strategy Session sit down and imagine what would
happen if all your efforts failed to have your concerns addressed.
What would
you have to live with? Imagine what could help you survive such a worst
case.
For example, if you would be forced to sell by Eminent Domaine could
you influence the price? If you felt living in the area was impossible
could
you sell your property at full market value, if not could you be compensated
for the loss?
In great detail go through all aspects of how your life would be
impacted and identify areas that would need work to survive the worst
case.
Begin to explore possible measures that could help lessen the impact
of a
worse case. Keep in mind, any mitigation measures you can get, no matter
how
minimal, can add to your Back-up System and form a good starting point
for
future mitigations.
Be creative. Just because an idea has not been suggested before does
not mean it can't be suggested now, but also be reasonable and look
at it from
your Adversary's point of view. What is the cost to them? What do they
get
out of it?
SECOND GOAL: SET UP TO CONTINUE:
In the worst case, you may not be able to have your concerns addressed
but that does not mean you will no longer have those concerns. Look
at the
worst case in a Role Playing Session and ask yourself how you could
keep the
issue open. How would you like to be set up to `keep an eye on things'
and
bring up your concerns as problems arose?
For example, setting up an extensive monitoring program for all of
your areas of concern would be a good starting point. If problems did
arise
having, already in place, legally binding agreements on resolving problems
and
compensation would be a great advantage. An official recognition of
a
Citizen's Panel to work with your Adversary to address problems as
they came
up would be a good way of guaranteeing that you could continue to raise
concerns. An official review period, with a report on problems with
public
hearings, could make sure problems would not go unnoticed.
Go through all aspects of daily life and look for ways of setting up
systems to assure that you will stay involved in the process. Work
on
concrete proposals for procedures to assure your voice will be heard
as long
as you will be effected. You want to establish procedures in advance
for
keeping the issue open.
CLEAR VIEW OF FUTURE NEEDED:
It is important to consider Back-up System issues well in advance of
a
final decision on your issue, so that you can have a clear idea of
what you
will need for a good Back-up System and what aspects of it need to
be
implemented before a decision on the issue is made. In addition, with
a clear
view of what is needed, you can then decide how much energy you want
to put
into a Back-up System depending on how likely it is that you will need
to use
it.
SOME GROUPS RESISTANT TO ASPECTS OF A BACK-UP SYSTEM:
Some groups have problems discussing aspects of a Back-up System
(like monitoring programs, mitigations, etc.) on a proposal where their
concerns have not been addressed. They feel working for such measures
implies
an acceptance of the proposal and therefore they often fail to work
towards
implementing a Back-up System even though there may have been many
opportunities to do so. Remember, asking your Adversary to state what
they
are willing to do (in areas like mitigation and monitoring) does not
mean you
have accepted the project. You are merely asking them to state all
they are
willing to do to address your concerns so that you can know what they
are
asking you to live with. You can state this position publicly.
There are circumstances, however, when you may decide that publicly
working towards a Back-up System could make it appear that you are
weakening
your primary position. In that case you might decide to work indirectly
towards a Back-up System.
WORKING ON A BACK-UP SYSTEM DIRECTLY:
Often groups find it convenient to set up a special committee within
their group to work on issues related to a Back-up System. They can
work
through Role Playing Sessions to identify areas of concern in the worst
case
situation and make recommendations for ways of addressing those concerns.
Together with the Steering Council (Core Group) they can begin to come
up with
concrete proposals for how to survive and keep the door open after
a worse
case. Role Playing could help to identify areas where your Adversary
and the
Decision Makers may be willing to make concessions. Often the strength
of
your group can be used to best advantage by focusing on a Back-up System
as
well as your primary position.
WORKING ON A BACK-UP SYSTEM INDIRECTLY:
Often, in spite of the distinct advantages of a Back-up System, some
groups are resistant to working on one. This resistance may be overcome
by
working indirectly. A committee within the group could be formed to
work with
the Steering Council (Core Group) to work indirectly for progress in
this
area.
For example, the committee could work with other interested people
or
groups (such as the Town Board, the Planning Office, the County Legislature,
etc.) to identify and address problems related to the worst case. The
members
of the Back-up System Committee could work either as official representatives
of your group or they could act as private citizens, or they may even
choose
to form their own separate group to deal with this aspect of the issue.
Your
group could then decide to either officially support the position of
the other
groups or take no position until it becomes apparent that a Back-up
System was
needed.
The choice between working directly and indirectly involves many
factors and is best arrived at through a Role Playing Session. What
are the
advantage and disadvantages of each method, both short and long term?
How
does your credibility as a group reflect on this decision?
BACK-UP SYSTEM: LANDFILL AS AN EXAMPLE:
The goal of a Back-up System would be to lessen the impact on those
living near the landfill and keep channels of communication open. Lessening
the impact might include: reductions in the waste stream through aggressive
recycling, noise controls (ie: earth mounds and evergreen trees as
noise
barriers, etc.), limited hours of operation to reduce both traffic
and noise
effects, and other options. Carefully detail specific problems and
list ways
to lessen their impact. A Citizens Panel for compensation could be
formed to
raise questions. For example: For those who lose property to the landfill,
is fair market value adequate for someone who does not want to sell?
For
constant low level impact (ie: noise, traffic, etc) you might look
towards
having the landfill agency pay each year a percentage (in proportion
to
impact) of the local property taxes of those effected. For a one time
loss
such as a loss in property value, you might propose a plan where people
most
impacted could choose a one time payment for the difference between
fair
market value and the current value. Or they could be allowed a number
of
years to sell and then be compensated for the difference between the
selling
price and the original value. Agreement on legal responsibility for
long term
effects (ie: possible ground water contamination) could be worked out
in
advance. The goal is to make people impacted by the landfill feel they
have
been adequately compensated or be allowed to leave the area without
loss.
COMBINED PRIMARY POSITION AND BACK-UP SYSTEM: LANDFILL EXAMPLE:
In the landfill issue, all the potential sites could join together
and
work towards goals of common interest as a primary strategy.
Raise questions: Is there a need for a landfill? Are alternatives
available? Is hazardous waste being adequately removed from the waste
stream?
Is recycling adequate? Is the selection process fair and scientific?
Is a
landfill really a long term solution to the problem of waste? Why aren't
we
implementing long term solutions? Individual sites could point out
inadequacies in their own sites while refraining from commenting on
other
sites. The combined political power of all potential sites working
together
provides a good opportunity to work jointly for a common Back-up System.
Often sites working together can negotiate from a position of strength
for a
better Back-Up System and settlement than if the final site was forced
to
negotiate alone. In fact, the Back-up system issues could be addressed
even
before the final site is chosen.
A combination of a primary position and a Back-up System could work
to
the advantage of all sites and greatly lessen the impact on any site
that
might be chosen.
< SUMMARY 14 > BACK-UP SYSTEM: TO SURVIVE THE WORST CASE:
<< BACK-UP SYSTEM: AN INSURANCE POLICY: >>
Back-up Systems are often built into daily life. For example, many
public buildings that remain open at night, such as public libraries,
have an
emergency Back-up System for lighting. If there is a power failure
and the
lights go out then the Back-up Lighting System automatically comes
on line.
Powered by rechargable batteries, the system is not designed to replace
the
primary system, but instead, to provide just enough light for people
to find
their way out of the building.
In the same way, your Back-up System is not intended to replace your
primary position. It helps you survive the impact of a final outcome
where
all your concerns have not been addressed and it allows you to continue
to
keep open important aspects of the issue.
A Back-up System is like having an Insurance Policy that you create
to
cover yourselves in the worst case situation. Because it can protect
you from
some very serious problems and it requires a relatively small investment
of
energy, it deserves careful consideration even by groups in a very
strong
position.