ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the involvement of the public in making decisions for remediating a contaminated site. A case study approach is used, focusing on the town of Elmira, Ontario, where improperly disposed hazardous wastes from a UniRoyal chemical plant contaminated the groundwater underneath the company's property. Aronoff and Gunter analysed seven technological hazard disputes to determine the effectiveness of public involvement. Research for this case study at the UniRoyal site in Elmira suggests the following points in natural resource management: The case of Elmira presents a unique situation in which the effectiveness of public involvement in a very complex physical and social environment. Organized public involvement began in 1982, when MOE and UniRoyal held a public meeting in Elmira on the groundwater issue. The research addresses the question of whether public involvement in technical decision-making can be effective. As for overall effectiveness, the decision-making process achieve the goals that were defined by the TSC-the town's water supply was protected.
