Federal agencies get flooded with comments from stakeholders on issues open to public input. But according to Regulations.gov and the EPA, there are several things that stakeholders can do to make their comments stand out and be read.
Here are some simple tips when submitting comments:
- Avoid form letters; write your own unique comment.
- When submitting by mail or by email, identify the docket ID number and other identifying information (e.g., Federal Register date and page number, section heading, etc.) in your subject line.
- If submitting a physical comment by mail, either type your comment or handwrite it as clearly as possible.
- Read and understand the document you are commenting on. Some calls for comment cover a lot of issues; you do not need to comment on all of them.
- Respond to the specific question or questions the agency is asking rather than the issue in general.
- Identify any relevant credentials and/or experience you may have on an issue early and clearly in your comment.
- Be concise, explain your views as clearly as possible, avoid the use of profanity, slang, jargon, or personal threats.
- Clearly state your position of support or opposition and explain it, supporting your claims with evidence or examples.
- Base your comments on sound reasoning, scientific evidence, and/or how you will be impacted by the agency’s proposal. If there are expert opinions, field trials, experiments, etc. that you are aware of that support your position, you can attach those documents to your comment.
- Address the opposition arguments in a reasoned way.
- Comment periods close at 11:59 p.m. ET, on the date comments are due. Give yourself enough time to complete the comment upload process if submitting comments online. If submitting comments by mail, provide enough time for the letter to reach the agency before the comment period closes. — WLJ
