Precautionary Partnership Develops Framework
for Mendocino Stormwater Program

by Britt Bailey
February, 2007

Mendocino County officials in conjunction with the Mendocino Partnership for the Precautionary Principle are developing a framework for implementing the Precautionary Principle into the County's Stormwater Management Program. Two departments, the Water Agency along with Environmental Health, have been chosen by the CEO's office to carry out a pilot project for the County's historic passage of the Precautionary Principle.

The Board of Supervisors passed the Precautionary Principle as a Mendocino County administrative policy on June 27, 2006. The Principle is a tool to help make decisions that will have the best long-term effect on the health and environment for future generations. It facilitates taking action to prevent harm even if full scientific certainty has not been established, requires decision-makers choose the alternative presenting the least harm, and stresses the participation of the public at the outset of the decision.

While there are many required elements of the Stormwater Program, the Precautionary Partnership along with Environmental Health and the Water Agency are examining four areas to apply the Precautionary Principle. The four elements range from relatively simple product-based decisions, such as what types of soaps are used in the County's garage, to more involved decisions including landscaping protocols and the development of an illicit discharge ordinance. The group is focusing on creating a checklist for the Stormwater Committee that will act as a backbone of the framework or structure for decision-making. Eight primary steps have been identified including defining goals, identifying and inviting constituents to participate, assessing alternatives, and determining a course of action.

Overall, the group, which meets on a monthly basis, is discovering that while much has been written about the Precautionary Principle and its adoption is widespread in Europe, very little material exists on how to practically apply the Principle to jurisdictional decision-making. Roland Sanford of the Water Agency, an enthusiastic supporter of using the Precautionary Principle, has noted that a manual for applying it to government decision-making is not readily available. In turn, the Mendocino Partnership along with County officials are not only extra motivated to create an application process for the Principle's use in Mendocino, but also a usable manual for other local governments. Meetings of the Mendocino Partnership are open to the public. Please see: mendoprecaution.org for the next meeting dates and details.

Precautionary Partnership and County Officials Meet to Develop Pilot Project, February 2007. Seated L-R: Dave Koppel (Environmental Health), Roland Sanford (Water Agency), Britt Bailey (Environmental Commons), Marvin Trotter (Public Health Officer), Linda Helland (Public Health), Phyllis Webb (Public Health), Alice Diefenbach (Retired Physician, Partnership Member).