IDTLs’ beliefs about public involvement were categorized into
three primary points of view. Substantive public involvement most
closely reflects agency guidance that public comments should be
“substantive,” or focused on incorporating points of fact from the
public into agency analyses. Meanwhile, normative public involvement
focuses on incorporating values, opinions, and preferences of
the public into agency decision-making. A single item represented
a third point of view e the extent to which IDTLs agreed or disagreed
with the following statement: “Public involvement is
a procedural requirement that rarely contributes meaningfully to
making better land management decisions.”