GUIDE TO
				ENVIRONMENTAL
				ACTION
				RESOURCES

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION - This is the basic mechanism for starting and carrying out environmental action in the community. A grassroots organization can act as a clearinghouse of information for the distressed community members as well as a support group, supplying manpower and occasionally funding. Grassroots organizations can help community members form their own constituency, thus gaining more public recognition and political clout for an environmental campaign.

ENVIRONMENTAL ATTORNEYS - Provides a course of legal action against an entity that threatens the community. Legal action can be costly and is usually undertaken after other strategies have been attempted and failed. If a lawsuit is successful, it can create a lasting precedent for your own community as well as others. Even if a lawsuit fails, the press coverage and the time/money spent by your opponent can be small victories in themselves.

MEDIA CONTACTS - This is a great leverage point for the community members to use. Public pressure is one of the main weapons in a citizen’s arsenal; to use this tool effectively one must extensively use media coverage in a positive manner to gain momentum for a campaign. Media coverage is an integral part of building and clarifying public perception and support. Television, radio, and newspapers can all be effective to varying degrees.

CITIZEN’S CONTACTS - These are individuals who have been fighting tooth and nail against polluting industries that are threatening and/or damaging the health of their communities. They are full of wise advice and can help direct you down the right paths in your own community’s struggle.

INDUSTRY CONTACTS - Used primarily for inquiries about plant construction, filing of complaints, requests of permit documentation, destinations for letters in letter-writing campaigns, as well as to inform said industry of a pending lawsuit.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRACTUAL SERVICES - This group provides a wide and varied array of environmental services to the individual or community organization. They are composed of specialists who offer advice/services in certain areas including landscaping, land use planning, air and water quality testing etc., etc.

SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY - The scientific community is the best resource for providing analytical data concerning the environmental degradation your community is facing. Bringing a scientist on board your campaign or using an existing body of scientific knowledge lends an air of credibility and integrity to your cause.

FORESTRY - Forests play an integral role in both the ecology and economy of the Southeast. Industry lobbyists and environmentalists are constantly trying to shape public opinion on environmental issues. Information obtained from this constituency can be helpful or misleading, depending on the bias of the forester and the motives of the inquiring citizen. Foresters are often looked to as a source of sound advice for land use planning. For the resource guide user’s benefit, individuals who believe in and/or practice sustainable forestry techniques are denoted with an asterisk.

GRANT FOUNDATIONS - Environment organizations are limited in their abilities and effectiveness without proper funding. Grant foundations can provide the necessary life blood to your organization if they feel your purpose is legitimate and your organization can produce results with the help of their funding.

INSTITUTES/ORGANIZATIONS - These groups are established organizations whose resources and support can range from: lobbying techniques, incorporation of a community, learning about PAC money, or to endangered wildlife.

US FEDERAL GOVERNMENT - Includes senators, representatives, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Army Corps of Engineers, and much more. If you can convince any part of the federal government to take action, then your campaign has truly accomplished something. Tremendou$ pre$$ure from indu$try and massive amounts of bureaucratic red tape are just a few of the hindrances you will run into. Take heart, put your nose to the grindstone, and remember you have a fighting chance to protect your community.

NC STATE GOVERNMENT & OFFICIALS - Have many of the traits indicative of local governments, but on a larger scale. It includes departments of environment, fish and wildlife commissions, state departments of transportation, governor positions and their related staff, etc. It is often necessary to bypass local officials and go directly to the state level of politics where most of the decisions concerning your health are made. You may find a few state officials that are genuinely interested in your plight and willing to stand up for citizen’s rights. However, don’t expect much more help that you receive from the local governments.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT - The most basic form of political authority that you must deal with. It includes county commissioners, town councils, local agricultural extension offices, local departments of transportation, and many more. This resource can range from extremely helpful to an absolute thorn in your side.

G.E.A.R. Index

C.C.R.C. Homepage