The public plays a vital role in the decisions we make to protect the environment. We encourage everyone in Michigan to attend informational meetings, public hearings, open houses, listening sessions, and workshops, and to provide comment on agency actions.
Public meetings bring the general public, interested parties, and/or environmental partners together for a specific purpose.
They can be used to increase awareness of an issue or proposal, and can be a starting point for, or an ongoing means of engaging, further public involvement.
The format of an informational session has flexibility depending on the needs of the audience. It is recommended to open the informational session with an informal presentation summarizing “who we are” and “what we are there for”. An opportunity for the public to ask questions follows this short presentation by EGLE.
Depending on the circumstances questions and answers from the informational session may not be part of the public record. This is announced/made known by the meeting moderator. When scheduled in relation to a public hearing or public comment period, an informational session is a way for questions to be asked and answered to help formulate a comment for the record.
Informational sessions can be hybrid, in-person, or virtual.
A type of informational meeting - the community is invited to engage with EGLE staff directly. Questions and conversation with staff are welcome.
This may be used in conjunction with a panel if the venue has separate areas to facilitate this. This format is limited to an in-person meeting.
A structured gathering or meeting in which EGLE actively solicits input and listens to the concerns, ideas, opinions, and feedback of community members about specific topics.
Listening sessions do not have a question-and-answer segment.
A public hearing is an opportunity for the public to provide verbal or written comment and testimony regarding a proposed agency action under consideration by EGLE. A public hearing is scheduled during a public comment period.
Requirements for public hearings vary depending on the nature of the action under consideration and the different statutes and administrative rules that apply.
Informational sessions are intended to share information, discuss issues, answer questions, and receive feedback from community members and interested parties. Decisions are not made during an informational meeting. Informational sessions are often less formal than public hearings, and the format depends on the topic being discussed and community recommendation. Sometimes an informational session is held at the same meeting, right before the official public hearing starts.
Public hearings are required by law or regulation to be held to provide a formal opportunity for the public to present comments on proposed EGLE actions for the record. Comments made during a public hearing are entered into the public record.
Public comment periods are an essential component of transparent and equitable public participation, allowing EGLE to gather input from the community and affected parties before making final decisions on agency actions.
