Social Capital Development | 2008 EEA Public Listening Sessions

12/03/08
Final Summary Report of EEA Public Listening SessionsSpecial Event

Event Status:  Report Delivered/Produced

Description: From 9/18 through 10/30, the EEA hosted 18 public listening session, the results of which were compiled and summarized by a MOP contractor (Consensus Building Institute).  This summary report was presented to the OAC for their consideration while developing the specific planning objectives required to meet the 15 Principles prescribed by the Oceans Act of 2008.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/30/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Springfield)Public Listening Session

Scibelli Hall Theater, Springfield Technical Community College (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/29/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Pittsfield)Public Listening Session

Berkshire Athenaeum (Pittsfield Public Library), 1 Wendell Avenue
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description:  Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30.  These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Related Information:

No attendees at this event

10/28/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Lowell)Public Listening Session

Pollard Memorial Library, 401 Merrimack Street (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/27/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Worcester)Public Listening Session

Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square (7:00pm – 9:oopm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/22/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Eastham)Public Listening Session

National Park Service Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/21/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Woods Hole)Public Listening Session

Redfield Auditorium, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, 53 Water Street (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/21/08
Cape Cod Times, Ocean planners get Cape Cod inputNews
10/21/08
Cape Cod Times, Ocean planners get Cape Cod inputNews
10/20/08
EEA Public Listening Session (West Barnstable)Public Listening Session

Tilden Arts Center Main Theater, Cape Cod Community College, 2240 Iyannough Road (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/16/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Nantucket)Public Listening Session

Nantucket High School 10 Surfside Road (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/16/08
MV Times, Islanders stake a claim to ocean regulationNews
10/16/08
MV Times, Islanders stake a claim to ocean regulationNews
10/14/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Oak Bluffs)Public Listening Session

Martha’s Vineyard Commission, Stone Building, 33 New York Avenue (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/08/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Fall River)Public Listening Session

Fall River Heritage State Park, 100 Davol Street (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description:  Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/06/08
EEA Public Listening Session (New Bedford)Public Listening Session

New Bedford Public Library, 613 Pleasant Street (7:00pm – 9:00pm) 
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
10/04/08
South Coast Today, Ocean planning meeting set for MondayNews
10/04/08
South Coast Today, Ocean planning meeting set for MondayNews
10/01/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Norwell)Public Listening Session

South Shore Natural Science Center, 48 Jacobs Lane (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
09/30/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Plymouth)Public Listening Session

Plymouth Public Library, 132 South Street (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description:  Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
09/29/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Weymouth)Public Listening Session

Tufts Library, 46 Broad Street (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
09/25/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Salisbury)Public Listening Session

Salisbury Town Hall, 5 Beach Road (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status: Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
09/24/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Salem)Public Listening Session

Salem City Hall Annex, 120 Washington Street (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status: Open to the Public

Description: Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
09/23/08
EEA Public Listening Session (Gloucester)Public Listening Session

Gloucester City Hall, 9 Dale Avenue (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description:  Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 and continuing through October 30. These listening sessions are being held to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan.

Documents associated with this Event:
09/21/08
Gloucester Times, Ocean hearings start tomorrowNews
09/21/08
Gloucester Times, Ocean hearings start tomorrowNews
09/18/08
EEA Kickoff Public Listening Session (Boston)Public Listening Session

Great Hall, Faneuil Hall, Boston (7:00pm – 9:00pm)
Event Status:  Open to the Public

Description:  A first step in the development of the MA ocean-management plan is to hear from the citizens of the Commonwealth.  Eighteen listening sessions will be held throughout the state, beginning on September 18 at Faneuil Hall in Boston and continuing through October 30. EEA is hosting these listening sessions to inform the public about the Oceans Act and solicit input on the development of the plan. For this round of public input, a main focus is on the overall goals of the ocean plan: in other words, what should the ocean plan seek to accomplish? Responses to that question will help EEA develop the conceptual framework for the draft plan.

At each listening session, EEA will provide an overview of the Oceans Act and then ask for responses to questions and collect general comments on the development of an integrated ocean management plan for Massachusetts. Anyone interested in contributing to the plan development process is encouraged to submit written comments to: oceanplan@state.ma.us.

Documents associated with this Event:
09/18/08
Cape Cod Today, State launches listening sessions for ocean planNews
09/18/08
Cape Cod Today, State launches listening sessions for ocean planNews

  • These listening sessions were the first opportunity for the pubic to learn about the planning process and provide initial input—they were valuable in setting a positive tone and an inclusive frame;
  • Typically engaging stakeholders early in such a process, before there are “lines on a map,” is challenging, so timely advance notice with an indication of why these events are important is essential to enhance participation.


A public outreach and information program was required by the Oceans Act of 2008.  EEA’s Public Listening Sessions were an important component of the overall program.