When nuclear waste disposal facility siting meetings are held, representatives of the nuclear industry and the Federal Government attend. In recent years, citizens groups, individual citizens, and State and local government officials have increased their participation in the meetings. In 1980, the U.S. Congress enacted the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (LLRW Policy Act) mandating that States develop a system of regional disposal sites for low-level radioactive waste. As the States begin to implement Low-Level Radioactive Waste Interstate Compacts, they should allay public fears by providing more effective ways for citizens to participate in siting procedures decisions. Current siting procedures could be reformed by providing for alternative dispute mechanisms such as citizens boards, science courts, and public information programs. Better still would be the comprehensive restructuring of State siting processes by using a negotiation-based review process. The process would establish and legitimize a role for the public in siting decisions. It is the responsibility of States to manage low-level radioactive waste and to formulate effective intrastate programs that provide a viable role for the public in low-level radioactive waste facility sitings. 147 footnotes.