Georgia-Pacific's Crossett Natural Resources Advisory Council: Concept Through Issues Development, 1995 Environmental Conference Proceedings

Benjamin C. Dysart

Consultant

B. Traylor Champion

Ernest G. Lovett

Alison P. Jordan

Georgia-Pacific Corp.

In Crossett, Ark., Georgia-Pacific (G-P) has a major installation consisting of five business units: paper operations, forestry, plywood, chemicals, and transportation. A recent case study illustrates important aspects of a new, more open, proactive approach for G-P in dealing with issues involving the environment, natural resources management, the community, a major manufacturing facility, and citizens. After designing the process with site management, a strong citizens advisory council was identified and recruited, and then formally appointed by the site managers. The Council’s mission was to: identify all environmental and natural resources issues important to the area’s citizens; indicate how the public felt about these issues and what they would like G-P to do; provide a sense of importance for each of these issues; and indicate needed level of further action by G-P. The Council identified 70 issues under 17 general topics and reported them to the site managers. Some were areas of interest, concern, further action, or desired change. Some were requests for sharing of information. Some expressed strong support. It has been a highly successful experiment for all parties and a valuable learning experience in mutual trust, partnering, listening, finding and expanding common ground, and improving the quality of life.