Public Participation
Summary Report on Community Interviews Issued |
In March 2002, EPA contracted with Marasco Newton Group, an independent consultant experienced in neutral facilitation, to assist the Agency in developing a community involvement program that would help ensure active public participation during the design and implementation of the Hudson River PCBs dredging project. Identifying preferred and appropriate means of obtaining rigorous and meaningful community involvement at the Hudson River PCBs site involves a process consisting of three stages. The first, Stage 1, involved interviews with people living in the upper and lower Hudson River Valley who are interested in the Hudson River PCBs site. The Marasco Newton Group issued their Stage 1 Report - Summary of Comments Heard During Stage 1 Interviews an independent evaluation of best practices for involving stakeholders in remedial design and remedial action activities at the Hudson River PCBs site.
Stage Two involved working with stakeholders to identify
the best approach for public participation. Facilitated community
workshops were conducted on July 15, 2002 in Schuylerville, NY and
on August 27 in Fort Edward, NY. Stage Three used results from the Stage One interviews and Stage Two workshops to prepare a draft Community Involvement Plan. |
With the signing of the Record of Decision in February 2002, the Reassessment RI/FS Community Interaction Program ended and the implementation of a new community involvement program began, which included the development of a new draft Community Involvement Plan (CIP). In the February 2002, EPA committed to involving the public in activities relating to the implementation of the dredging project.
During project design, EPA will focus efforts on getting public input and providing information on those decisions and activities that have the greatest potential impact on the community and on the big-picture issues that are most important to the public.
EPA has established the following goals for the overall community involvement program.
- Provide the public with accurate, timely, and understandable information and/or access to the information needed to understand the project as it moves forward,
- Provide the public with the opportunity to give informed and meaningful input,
- Ensure adequate time and opportunity to provide input and for that input to be considered before final decisions on major issues are made,
- Respect and give full consideration to community input, and
- Assist the public in understanding the project decision-making process during project design and cleanup and the communitys role in that process
EPA Conducts Review of Community Involvement Efforts
At the September meeting of the Hudson
River Community Advisory Group (CAG), EPA presented on its
community
involvement activities from August 2003 through August 2004. EPA requested
input and feedback from CAG members on its community involvement efforts
in terms of overall strategy and approach, as well as specific tools that
have been used. Priorities for the coming year also were presented by
EPA and input obtained from the CAG.
Priorities for 2004/2005:
- Implement the "Ask EPA" Program
- Increase Involvement in Community Events
- Enhance Environmental Justice Activities
- Review Site Information Repositories
- Mailing List Expansion
- Explore Use of Public Television/Public Access Television Shows
- Increase Involvement in School Education Outreach Activities
- Prepare Video Presentations
- Prepare Newspaper Updates