Citizen Advisory Groups in Remedial Action Planning: Paper Tiger or Key to Success?

In accordance with the Great Lakes Water Quality agreement and the Great Lakes Critical Protections Act, the Great Lakes States have developed (or are developing) remedial action plans (RAPs) for severely degraded areas of concern (AOCs). To provide citizen input into the planning process, state environmental agencies have established citizens' advisory groups (CAGs) for each AOC. These CAGs have been hailed as the key to RAP success, yet little is known about their role in the planning process. In this paper, we examine the constitution, organization and activities of CAGs in three Lake Michigan AOCs by comparing CAGs to municipal planning commissions, citizen advisory commissions and councils of government. We find that CAGs, like other advisory bodies, can provide public input into the planning process, foster communication between government agencies and special interest groups, and facilitate intergovernmental co-ordination. Also like other advisory bodies, however, CAGs can fail to represent all constituencies in the AOCs, have limited influence on agencies plans and activities, and lack the authority to assure the co-operation of local governments.     

Integrating planning and sustainability theory for local benefit

The premise of this article is that prevailing planning theory has emerged primarily from a Newtonian (modernist) social context and is not well integrated conceptually with current developments in sustainability theory as represented by its various contributory disciplines. Approaches in the biophysical sciences, for example, are increasingly based on nonlinear, complexly interrelated conceptions of revolutionary development, whereas planning approaches are typically more compartmentalised, mechanistic and linear in character. To construct more workable linkages for local community/environmental planning, revolutionary theory is employed in this article to deal with the epistemological and methodological differences indicated. The proposed synthesis combines mutually reinforcing conceptions of epistemology, cultural pluralism, community and progress. Implications for practice of local planning are drawn with reference to the long-term goal of socioenvironmental sustainability, defined as a balance of economic, environmental and equity considerations.     

Antidepressant and antipsychotic agents

Numerous studies have been reviewed concerning the relationship of the catecholamines and indoleamines to depression and its treatment with antidepressant drugs. The profusion of data on the subject suggests the amines may be implicated in the disease, however no convincing hypothesis is available which unites the two. A similar situation seems to exist concerning the antipsychotic agents, dopamine and schizophrenia. The evidence appears to be overwhelming relating dopamine in the action of these agents and yet serious inconsistencies have been reported suggesting the need for a revision of the hypothesis regarding the mode of action of antipsychotic agents.     

Congenital myotonic dystrophy: An often unsuspected cause of severe polyhydramnios

Two cases of severe polyhydramnios are presented in which the unsuspected diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy was made in the patient and the fetus.     

A screening study of the treatability of dioxins and furans in bleach plant filtrates and mill wastewaters

Findings are presented of a study to provide the pulp and paper industry with basic data regarding the feasibility for treatment of bleach plant filtrates or combined treated mill effluents for 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF reduction.     

Nitrogen fluxes on an intensive investigation plot in the North Tyrolean limestone Alps

In the framework of this study, nitrogen fluxes on a limestone site are investigated. The major goals are the assessment of the nitrogen status, the estimation of the nitrogen budget and the evaluation of the nitrogen saturation. The investigation area, the intensive investigation plot and the research equipment are described.     

Dioxins and furans in emissions from medical waste incinerators

Dioxins and furans were detected in emissions from eight medical waste incinerators tested in California. Total uncontrolled emissions ranged from 363 to 11, 811 nanograms per dry standard cubic meter. The most effective of three wet scrubbers achieved an emissions control efficiency of 95 percent for total PCDD and PCDF. A baghouse was less than 30 percent efficient in removing PCDD and PCDF from the incinerator emissions.