Internet notification system opposed

Environmental groups are opposing a plan by the Norfolk District of the Army Corps of Engineers to cut costs by using the Internet to inform the public about pending environmental projects instead of sending direct notices in the mail.

District officials, who regulate wetlands and navigational projects across Virginia, want to save money, paper, and staff time by switching to an electronic notification system. But the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has questioned whether the plan would violate federal regulations ensuring open government and public participation.

Ann Jennings of the foundation said the Corps is "thinking correctly" to reduce paper and overhead while providing information. But she said the plan is "premature" because "not everyone's hooked up to the Internet, or even knows what it is."

Bill Brown of the Corps also noted that security issues prevent subscribers to Erol's, an online service provider in Virginia, from accessing the Corps website where the notices would be published.

Many state and local government agencies post meeting notices and decisions on their website, but as a complement, not a substitute, to direct mailings (Scott Harper, Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 10/23).