Year 2000 Plan for Willamette Valley Livability Forum's Public Outreach and Communication

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the public outreach and communications plan is to stimulate public review and discussion of the issues, vision, and recommendations in the Forum's report with regard to the future livability of the Valley. Specific objectives are to:

• Share information about aspects of livability and related livability issues identified in the Forum's state of the valley report Choices for the Future - The Willamette Valley
• Help residents understand the importance of envisioning a preferred future for the Valley and taking actions now to move toward achievement of that vision
• Gather public comments concerning trade-offs, choices, and Forum recommendations
• Help Valley residents and decision makers find solutions to the growth and development issues that face Willamette Valley communities

The Outreach Plan has three phases: Envisioning a Preferred Future, Evaluating Possible Alternative Futures, and Deciding How to Achieve a Preferred Future. The expected outcomes of this outreach effort include:

• Increased public awareness of growth-related issues facing all Valley communities.
• Increased public interest in envisioning a desired future of enhanced livability in the Valley.
• Greater public support and participation in efforts to sustain our environment and quality of life and to find solutions to growth and development issues that will lead toward achievement of a desired 50-year future.
• Identification of resources available for local communities to pursue a preferred future.

The Forum will coordinate its outreach efforts with the Willamette Restoration Initiative (WRI), Alternative Futures Projects, Alternative Transportation Futures (ATF), Sustainable Economic Development, I-5 Corridor Analysis, and local elected officials and community leaders.