ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the distinguishing characteristics of the siting methods developed for use in Maryland and Canada, including the role of citizen participation. The siting of any major facility may become the subject of strident public debate, reflecting conflict among the differing values of society that would be affected by development. Public agencies and developers increasingly are seeing the value of informal meetings to ensure that the private planning team is aware of governmental concerns. In both the Canada and Maryland cases the direct contact and information flow between potentially adversarial groups during the planning and decision-making process permitted much more enlightened and sensitive decisions. In 1977-1978, Rogers, Golden & Halpern performed a multifaceted study for the Energy and Coastal Zone Administration within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. To distinguish various roles in the Canadian siting method, specific names are given to the different actors.
