Policy Resolution Outlining Enlibra Principles |
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BackgroundAs Western Governors have struggled with a range of environmental problems, it has become evident that there are common principles underlying the most promising approaches and successful solutions they have developed. These principles for environmental management, which the governors call, Enlibra, seek greater participation and collaboration in decision-making, focus on outcomes rather than just programs, and recognize the need for a variety of tools beyond regulation that will improve environmental and natural resource management. Utah Governor Mike Leavitt (R) and former Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber (D) took the lead in developing this shared set of principles that were agreed upon as policy of the Western Governors' Association. The Governors believe adoption and use of the principles by state and federal agencies, local governments, businesses, and individuals can help the West successfully deal with increasingly complex environmental problems. This complexity is a function of both the global economy we are a part of and its ability to dramatically influence our economy and communities, as well as the many dimensions to environmental problems that were not well understood or anticipated when many of the environmental laws were written over 30 years ago. The Governors recognize that to succeed at environmental management people need to be empowered to do the right thing. This requires good information; inclusive processes that respect different values and provide individuals a role in designing and implementing solutions; and meaningful incentives to complement existing laws. The Governors believe the principles, which were developed with the input of hundreds of people around the region, when taken together, offer the best promise for solving environmental problems today and tomorrow. |
Enlibra Principles
National Standards, Neighborhood Solutions - Assign Responsibilities at the Right Level Collaboration, Not Polarization - Use Collaborative Processes to Break Down Barriers and Find Solutions Reward Results, Not Programs - Move to a Performance- Based System Science For Facts, Process for Priorities - Separate Subjective Choices from Objective Data Gathering Markets Before Mandates - Pursue Economic Incentives Whenever Appropriate Change A Heart, Change A Nation - Environmental Understanding is Crucial Recognition of Benefits and Costs - Make Sure All Decisions Affecting Infrastructure, Development and Environment are Fully Informed Solutions Transcend Political Boundaries - Use Appropriate Geographic Boundaries for Environmental Problems Policy Resolution Describing Enlibra Principles in more detail |
Environmental Summit on the West II
The Second Environmental Summit on the West, held April 2002 in Salt Lake City, proved to be an important vehicle for making progress on a number of environmental issues with both regional and national implications. Recommendations made by Summit participants were reviewed during the Western Governors' Association's (WGA) Annual Meeting in June and, where appropriate, were incorporated into policy resolutions adopted by the governors.
The Summit was co-sponsored by the WGA and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). It provided an opportunity for the nearly 500 participants, representing all levels of government, the private sector, environmental groups and academia to gain insight into what is working elsewhere and to develop workable solutions to tough issues using the "Enlibra Principles for Environmental Management". Those principles, approved by the Western governors at the first Environmental Summit in 1998 in Phoenix, were developed with the assistance of a diverse group of stakeholders. They call for greater participation and collaboration in decision-making; focus on outcomes, as well as programs; and recognize the need for a variety of tools beyond regulation to improve environmental management.
Summit participants heard from Governors Mike Leavitt of Utah and Judy Martz of Montana and former Governors John Kitzhaber of Oregon, Jane Dee Hull of Arizona, and Jim Geringer of Wyoming. Bush Administration officials included Interior Secretary Gale Norton, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman, and CEQ Chairman James Connaughton. Fred Krupp, Executive Director of Environmental Defense, was also among the plenary sessions' keynote speakers. Governor Leavitt noted in his opening remarks that "Enlibra is not a process. Enlibra is a philosophy. Our goals should be to double our environmental progress at half the cost. Our economic survival rests on that progress." Governor Kitzhaber said use of the Enlibra Principles by communities, watersheds and regional organizations is growing. "It is an expression of sustainability of our environmental, economic and social resources in a way and at a rate for people to meet their needs of today without compromising future generations."
One of the most important elements of the Summit was the opportunity for participants to develop recommendations during breakout sessions on specific topics. Those recommendations were presented at the final plenary session, and the group agreed to forward them to policy-makers at the local, state, tribal and national level.
Summary of the Summit breakout sessions, the recommendations made and follow-up actions.
For more information or to share a success story,
send an email to Paul Orbuch of the Western
Governors' Association.