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Directions Online Customer Service Surveys Quality Management Plan DEM Records Management Policy Environmental Data, SOPs & Data Quality Plans Educational Resources		Ombudsman Thomas D. Getz RI Dept. of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street Providence, RI 02908-5767 401-222-4700 ext. 2417 Fax 401-222-6802 The Department of Environmental Management started the Ombudsman function in 1999. The position then was defined as assisting the Department to improve its effectiveness, efficiency and accountability. The Ombudsman, at that time, performed the following primary tasks: The Ombudsman was charged with increasing both external and internal support. The Ombudsman initially was given the authority to undertake independent, and in certain cases confidential, fact-finding in response to external or internal complaints or questions about the Department's performance. The Ombudsman is responsible for ensuring that the fact-finding process is perceived and experienced as an independent, impartial, fair and credible process. All members of the Department's staff are responsible for cooperating with the Ombudsman towards this goal. Customer surveys - Surveys were sent to people who were issued DEM Permits. The surveys were used to assess the performance of DEM's permitting programs. Outreach activities - Assisted in the operation of Business and Environmental Roundtables Preparation of a report with the Department of Health, Brown University and the Socio Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians concerning the benefits/dangers of eating fish Permit Streamlining- Assisted in the review of the Wetlands, ISDS (septic systems), Waste Site Remediation, and Air Permitting programs to respond to stakeholder questions about the programs. Litter Task Force- Facilitated meetings to discuss issues related to litter. Regulation Revisions- Facilitated meeting to discuss regulatory issues for the Air Toxics, Hazardous Waste and Transporter Fee regulations Since 1999, the charter for the Ombudsman has changed. The demand for independent fact-finding began to decrease as the Department's operations became more transparent. The Ombudsman's position has changed and is now actively involved in the following activities: The development of a tracking tool for management of the DEM/US EPA grant activities Coordination of the environmental grant processes; Reporting on the progress of DEM/US EPA grant activities Ensuring data that is used in DEM decision-making processes is of known quality; Monitoring electronic customer surveys and Coordination of departmental activities in areas like pandemic and avian flu preparedness		Ombudsman Policy Ombudsman Report to Public Report of the RIDEM Performance Partnership Agreement Tracking Tool Bay Street Tiverton Study Area

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rev. 3/6/08