Citizen Empowerment Program:
LEAF believes that with meaningful access to information about environmental issues and the legislative, regulatory and land-use decision making processes that impact the environment, citizens can be empowered to be effective advocates for the public interest through well-informed participation in those processes. To that end, LEAF provides a variety of educational opportunities and resources as follows:
Community Impacts of CAFOs: Know Your Rights:
Many rural communities in Indiana have been targeted by environmentally destructive CAFO developments. Empowering residents with the tools they need to preserve their communities and prevent CAFOs from being built, LEAF conducts citizen workshops on zoning, land use, environmental and open government laws that apply to these developments. All materials distributed at these workshops are available for download below:
July 9, 2009: Benton County, Boswell Community Center
Community Announcement
Citizen Training Materials
September 23, 2009: Boone County, Scotlan Church
Citizen Training Materials
Citizen Guides to Indiana Law:
Keeping Government Transparent: A Citizen's Guide to Indiana's Open Door & Public Records Access Laws
Sustainable development and environmental protection starts with open government. When an informed public actively participates in the decision-making process, local governing bodies are forced to take a meaningful look at the type of growth and land use they are considering. With public oversight, governing bodies will feel pressure to take necessary time to review development and permitting proposals, consider the best interests of the impacted community, and avoid unnecessary environmental harm.
LEAF's Citizen Guide to Indiana's Open Door and Public Records Access Laws provides a clear look at the legal standards for government meetings and public records access and identifies classic agency violations. With these tools, citizens can keep government decisions impacting the environment and quality of life open and transparent to the public. Download the Citizen Guide
LEAF plans to prepare additional citizen guides in the following areas so that Indiana residents know their rights and how to exercise them:
Land Use, Annexation and Zoning Law
Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Law
Rule-Making and Permitting
Court documents:
Many public court documents prepared by LEAF in representing its clients are available for download and public use. These documents are referenced and linked throughout this website to the comprehensive listing on the left.
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