United
States
Office
of
Policy,
Economics
EPA
233­
B­
03­
002
Environmental
and
Innovation
May
2003
Protection
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
policy2003
Agency
Public
Involvement
Policy
of
the
U.
S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency
May
2003
Disclaimer
The
statutory
provisions
described
in
this
Public
Involvement
Policy
contain
legally
binding
requirements.
As
indicated
by
the
use
of
nonmandatory
language
such
as
"
may,"
"
should,"
and
"
can,"
this
Policy
describes
recommended
procedures
and
approaches
for
conducting
public
involvement.
It
is
a
policy,
not
a
rule,
and
is
not
legally
enforceable.
i
Public
Involvement
Policy
Table
of
Contents
Public
Involvement
Policy
Introduction
1
What
is
Public
Involvement?
1
What
are
the
Purposes,
Goals
and
Objectives
of
This
Policy?
1
When
does
This
Policy
Apply?
3
Does
This
Policy
Affect
Authorized,
Approved
or
Delegated
Programs?
4
What
are
the
Roles
of
States,
Tribes
and
Local
Governments?
4
How
does
the
Policy
Relate
to
Environmental
Justice?
5
EPA's
Seven
Basic
Steps
for
Effective
Public
Involvement
5
Who
is
Responsible
for
Managing
the
Application
of
This
Policy?
6
Appendices
Appendix
1
­
Guidance
for
Implementing
Public
Involvement
at
EPA
7
1.
Plan
and
budget
for
public
involvement
7
2.
Identify
the
interested
and
affected
public
8
3.
Consider
providing
technical
or
financial
assistance
9
4.
Provide
information
and
outreach
11
5.
Conduct
public
consultation
and
involvement
activities
14
6.
Review
and
use
input,
and
provide
feedback
to
the
public
19
7.
Evaluate
public
involvement
activities
20
Who
manages
the
application
of
this
Policy?
20
Appendix
2:
Definitions
23
Appendix
3:
Examples
of
EPA's
Public
Involvement
Regulations
24
Appendix
4:
Advisory
Committees
25
Addenda
Addendum
1:
Tools
to
Support
Public
Involvement
27
Addendum
2:
Summary
of
Response
to
Comments
29
Published
Federal
Register
material
not
duplicated
in
the
Public
Involvement
31
Policy,
its
Appendices
and
Addenda
i
This
page
left
blank
intentionally
1
EPA's
PUBLIC
INVOLVEMENT
POLICY
(
Final
May
2003)

Introduction
EPA's
mission
is
to
protect
human
health
and
the
environment.
To
achieve
that
mission,
EPA
needs
to
continue
to
integrate,
in
a
meaningful
way,
the
knowledge
and
opinions
of
others
into
its
decision­
making
processes.
Effective
public
involvement
can
both
improve
the
content
of
the
Agency's
decisions
and
enhance
the
deliberative
process.
Public
involvement
also
promotes
democracy
and
civic
engagement,
and
builds
public
trust
in
government.

EPA
has
long
been
committed
to
public
involvement.
The
fundamental
premise
of
this
Policy
is
that
EPA
should
continue
to
provide
for
meaningful
public
involvement
in
all
its
programs,
and
consistently
look
for
new
ways
to
enhance
public
input.
EPA
staff
and
managers
should
seek
input
reflecting
all
points
of
view
and
should
carefully
consider
this
input
when
making
decisions.
They
also
should
work
to
ensure
that
decision­
making
processes
are
open
and
accessible
to
all
interested
groups,
including
those
with
limited
financial
and
technical
resources,
English
proficiency,
and/
or
past
experience
participating
in
environmental
decision­
making.
Such
openness
to
the
public
increases
EPA's
credibility,
improves
the
Agency's
decision­
making
processes,
and
informs
its
final
decisions.
At
the
same
time,
EPA
should
not
accept
any
recommendation
or
proposal
without
careful,
critical
examination.

This
Policy
supplements,
but
does
not
amend,
existing
EPA
regulations
that
prescribe
specific
public
participation
requirements
applicable
to
EPA's
activities
under
specific
statutes,
such
as
those
found
at
40
CFR
Part
25
"
Public
Participation
in
Programs
Under
the
Resource
Conservation
and
Recovery
Act,
the
Safe
Drinking
Water
Act,
and
the
Clean
Water
Act."
(
See
40
CFR
Part
25,
which
can
be
found
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement/
pdf/
part25.
pdf.)
The
public
participation
requirements
contained
in
such
regulations
specify
the
minimum
required
level
of
public
participation.
(
A
partial
listing
of
existing
public
participation
regulatory
requirements
is
contained
in
Appendix
3.)
Whenever
feasible,
Agency
officials
should
strive
to
provide
increased
opportunities
for
public
involvement
above
and
beyond
the
minimum
regulatory
requirements.

What
is
Public
Involvement?

The
term
"
public
involvement"
is
used
in
this
Policy
to
encompass
the
full
range
of
actions
and
processes
that
EPA
uses
to
engage
the
public
in
the
Agency's
work,
and
means
that
the
Agency
considers
public
concerns,
values,
and
preferences
when
making
decisions.
The
term
"
the
public"
is
used
in
the
Policy
in
the
broadest
sense
to
include
anyone,
including
both
individuals
and
organizations,
who
may
have
an
interest
in
an
Agency
decision.
(
See
Appendix
2
for
a
detailed
definition
of
"
public"
and
other
important
terms.)

What
Are
the
Purposes,
Goals
and
Objectives
of
This
Policy?

The
purposes
of
this
Policy
are
to:
°
Improve
the
acceptability,
efficiency,
feasibility
and
durability
of
the
Agency's
decisions
°
Reaffirm
EPA's
commitment
to
early
and
meaningful
public
involvement
2
°
Ensure
that
EPA
makes
its
decisions
considering
the
interests
and
concerns
of
affected
people
and
entities
°
Promote
the
use
of
a
wide
variety
of
techniques
to
create
early
and,
when
appropriate,
continuing
opportunities
for
public
involvement
in
Agency
decisions
°
Establish
clear
and
effective
guidance
for
conducting
public
involvement
activities
Effective
public
involvement
will
make
it
easier
for
the
public
to
contribute
to
the
Agency's
decisions,
build
public
trust,
and
make
it
more
likely
that
those
who
are
most
concerned
with
and
affected
by
Agency
decisions
will
accept
and
implement
them.
This
policy
supports
EPA
in
meeting
statutory
and
regulatory
requirements
regarding
public
participation,
particularly
in
environmental
permitting
programs
and
enforcement
activities.

EPA
goals
for
public
involvement
processes
are
to:
°
Foster
a
spirit
of
mutual
trust,
confidence,
and
openness
between
the
Agency
and
the
public
°
Ensure
that
the
public
has
timely,
accessible
and
accurate
information
about
EPA
programs
in
a
variety
of
formats
so
that
people
can
better
understand
the
implications
of
potential
alternative
courses
of
action
°
Consult
with
interested
or
affected
segments
of
the
public
and
take
public
viewpoints
into
consideration
when
making
decisions
°
Learn
from
individuals
and
organizations
representing
various
public
sectors
and
the
information
they
are
uniquely
able
to
provide
(
community
values,
concerns,
practices,
local
norms,
and
relevant
history,
such
as
locations
of
past
contaminant
sources,
potential
impacts
on
small
businesses
or
other
sectors,
industry
conducted
study
results,
etc.)
°
Solicit
assistance
from
the
public
in
understanding
potential
consequences
of
technical
issues,
identifying
alternatives
for
study,
and
selecting
among
the
alternatives
considered
°
Keep
the
public
informed
about
significant
issues
and
changes
in
proposed
programs
or
projects
°
Foster,
to
the
extent
possible,
equal
and
open
access
to
the
regulatory
process
for
all
interested
and
affected
parties
°
Understand
the
goals
and
concerns
of
the
public,
and
respond
to
them
°
Anticipate
conflict
and
encourage
early
discussions
of
differences
among
affected
parties
°
Promote
the
public's
involvement
in
the
Agency's
mission
of
protecting
human
health
and
the
environment
°
Explain
to
the
public
how
its
input
affected
the
Agency's
decision
To
achieve
these
purposes
and
goals,
while
recognizing
resource
constraints,
Agency
officials
should
strive
to
provide
for,
encourage,
and
assist
public
involvement
in
the
following
ways:
°
Involve
the
public
early
the
public
early
and
often
throughout
the
decision­
making
process
°
Identify,
communicate
with
and
listen
to
affected
sectors
of
the
public
(
Agency
officials
should
plan
and
conduct
public
involvement
activities
that
provide
equal
opportunity
for
individuals
and
groups
to
be
heard.
Where
appropriate,
Agency
officials
should
give
extra
encouragement
and
consider
providing
assistance
to
sectors,
such
as
minority
and
low­
income
populations,
small
businesses,
and
local
governments,
to
ensure
they
have
full
opportunity
to
be
heard
and,
where
possible,
access
to
technical
or
financial
resources
to
support
their
participation.)
3
°
Involve
members
of
the
public
in
developing
options
and
alternatives
when
possible
and,
before
making
decisions,
seek
the
public's
opinion
on
options
or
alternatives
°
Use
public
input
to
develop
options
that
facilitate
resolution
of
differing
points
of
view
°
Make
every
effort
to
tailor
public
involvement
programs
to
the
complexity
and
potential
for
controversy
of
the
issue,
the
segments
of
the
public
affected,
the
time
frame
for
decision
making
and
the
desired
outcome
°
Develop
and
work
in
partnerships
with
state,
local
and
tribal
governments,
community
groups,
associations,
and
other
organizations
to
enhance
and
promote
public
involvement
When
Does
This
Policy
Apply?

This
Policy
applies
to
all
EPA
programs
and
activities.
In
programs
or
activities
where
the
public
is
already
meaningfully
involved,
EPA
can
use
this
Policy
to
enhance
that
public
involvement.
Where
the
existing
level
of
public
involvement
needs
to
improve,
this
Policy
provides
suggestions
for
how
to
move
forward.
Finally,
this
Policy
can
serve
as
a
model
for
building
public
involvement
into
new
programs
as
they
are
developed.

The
activities
where
conducting
meaningful
public
involvement
should
particularly
be
considered
include:
°
EPA
rulemaking,
when
the
regulations
are
expected
to
be
classified
as
Significant
Actions
(
under
the
terms
of
Executive
Order
12866)
°
EPA
issuance
or
significant
modification
of
permits,
licenses
or
renewals
°
Selection
of
plans
for
cleanup,
remediation
or
restoration
of
hazardous
waste
sites
or
Brownfields
properties
°
EPA's
decision
on
whether
to
authorize,
delegate
or
approve
states
or
local
governments
to
administer
EPA
programs
consistent
with
the
relevant
regulatory
requirements
for
each
program
(
Note:
Tribes
seeking
approval
to
administer
environmental
programs
under
EPA
statutes
generally
also
seek
"
treatment
in
a
similar
manner
as
a
state
(
TAS)"
status
from
EPA.
Appropriate
opportunities
for
public
participation
are
contained
in
the
relevant
statutory
and
regulatory
provisions
establishing
a
TAS
process.
Consult
with
the
Office
of
Regional
Counsel
or
the
Office
of
General
Counsel,
and/
or
the
American
Indian
Environmental
Office
for
assistance.)
°
All
other
policy
decisions
that
the
Administrator,
Deputy
Administrator
or
appropriate
Assistant,
Regional
or
Associate
Administrator
determine
warrant
public
participation
in
view
of
EPA's
commitment
to
involve
the
public
in
important
decisions
°
The
development
of
significant
information
products
(
as
the
Office
of
Environmental
Information
has
defined
them
in
Appendix
2:
Definitions)
°
For
activities
not
listed
here,
EPA
staff
may
use
this
Policy
in
whole
or
in
part
to
strengthen
decision
making
In
planning
and
conducting
public
involvement
activities,
Agency
officials
should
rely
on
the
sound
use
of
discretion.
The
Policy
is
not
a
rule,
is
not
legally
enforceable,
and
does
not
confer
legal
rights
or
impose
legal
obligations
upon
any
member
of
the
public,
EPA
or
any
other
agency.
Resource
constraints,
the
need
for
timely
action
and
other
considerations
may
affect
the
appropriate
nature
and
extent
of
public
involvement.
For
example,
a
compelling
need
for
immediate
action
may
make
it
appropriate
to
limit
public
involvement.
In
particular,
the
desire
to
reach
agreement
among
all
parties,
while
valuable,
should
not
prevent
the
Agency
from
carrying
4
out
its
responsibility
to
make
decisions
or
take
actions
to
preserve
and
protect
the
environment
and
public
health.

Nevertheless,
the
Agency
should
approach
all
decision
making
with
a
bias
in
favor
of
significant
and
meaningful
public
involvement.
Experience
throughout
government
has
shown
that
a
lack
of
adequate
participation
or
of
effective
means
for
participation
can
result
in
decisions
that
do
not
appropriately
consider
the
interests
or
needs
of
those
that
will
be
most
affected
by
them.
Furthermore,
early
involvement
can
ultimately
reduce
delay,
by
avoiding
time­
consuming
review,
public
debate
or
litigation.
Finally,
decisions
based
on
meaningful
public
involvement
are
likely
to
be
better
in
substance
and
stand
the
test
of
time,
avoiding
the
need
to
reopen
controversial
issues.

Does
This
Policy
Affect
Authorized,
Approved
or
Delegated
Programs?

EPA
developed
this
Policy
for
EPA
staff
use,
but
it
also
may
be
useful
to
States,
Tribes
and
local
governments
that
implement
federally
delegated,
authorized
or
approved
programs.
EPA
encourages
these
entities
to
adopt
similar
public
involvement
policies
if
they
have
not
already
done
so.
EPA
intends
to
discuss
the
effectiveness
of
their
public
involvement
activities
during
periodic
meetings
with
States,
Tribes
and
local
governments,
and
will
obtain
their
input
about
ways
to
improve
EPA's
activities.
EPA
will
not
use
whether
a
State,
Tribe
or
local
government
has
adopted
EPA's
Public
Involvement
Policy
as
a
criterion
for
the
authorization,
approval
or
delegation
of
programs
or
the
award
of
grants.
In
general,
recipients
may
use
grants
for
continuing
environmental
programs
and
Performance
Partnership
Grants
to
fund
public
involvement
activities
to
the
extent
that
costs
are
allowable
under
OMB
Circular
A­
87
and
applicable
EPA
regulations.
(
Note:
Some
statutory
or
regulatory
provisions
require
compliance
with
certain
public
participation
requirements
before
EPA
may
approve
a
grant.
See
40
CFR
25.11
and
25.12.)
The
grant
applicant
may
comply
with
such
requirements
without
adopting
EPA's
Policy.

What
are
the
Roles
of
States,
Tribes
and
Local
Governments?

State
agencies,
Tribes
and
some
local
governments
have
unique
roles
regarding
EPA's
programs
and
decisions:
1.
State
agencies,
Tribes
and
some
local
governments
may
be
co­
regulators
with
EPA.
In
some
cases,
they
implement
authorized,
approved
or
delegated
Federal
programs.
In
other
cases,
they
run
independent,
but
closely­
related
programs.
In
both
cases
they
work
closely
with
EPA
as
regulatory
partners,
and
EPA
will
consult
them
as
appropriate
when
implementing
this
Policy.
In
addition,
they
may
have
expertise
that
can
be
valuable
to
EPA
in
designing
public
involvement
activities.
2.
State
agencies,
Tribes
and
local
governments
also
may
be
regulated
parties
when
they
undertake
activities
that
are
subject
to
Federal
laws
and
regulations.
As
regulated
parties,
they
are
also
members
of
the
community
of
regulated
stakeholders,
and
would
benefit
from
the
application
of
the
Policy
like
other
regulated
parties.
3.
Whether
they
are
partners
helping
EPA
implement
a
program
or
members
of
the
regulated
community
affected
by
EPA
regulations,
state
agencies,
Tribes,
and
regional
and
local
governments
often
play
an
active
role
in
making
recommendations
on
policies,
rules,
plans
and
recommendations
under
development,
and
providing
input
on
EPA's
decisions.
5
The
role
of
Tribes
is
unique
in
another
way.
Each
federally­
recognized
Tribal
government
is
a
sovereign
entity
that
has
an
individual
government­
to­
government
relationship
with
the
federal
government.
EPA
should
coordinate
and
consult
meaningfully
with
Tribes
to
the
greatest
extent
practicable
for
agency
actions
that
may
affect
the
tribes.
This
Policy
complements
EPA's
efforts
to
consult
with
Tribes.
See
Executive
Order
13175,
Consultation
and
Coordination
With
Indian
Tribal
Governments
November
6,
2000.

Consultation
should
be
a
meaningful
and
timely
two­
way
exchange
with
Tribal
officials
that
provides
for
the
open
sharing
of
information,
the
full
expression
of
Tribal
and
EPA
views,
a
commitment
to
consider
Tribal
views
in
decision
making,
and
respect
of
Tribal
self­
government
and
sovereignty.
The
Agency
should
allow
comment
from
Tribes
early
in
the
planning
process
and
prior
to
making
a
decision.
However,
consultation
does
not
imply
that
the
Tribes
or
any
other
non­
EPA
entities
that
are
consulted
can
stop
an
Agency
action
by
withholding
consent.

How
Does
the
Policy
Relate
to
Environmental
Justice?

This
Policy
complements
and
is
consistent
with
EPA's
environmental
justice
efforts.
"
Environmental
Justice"
is
the
fair
treatment
of
people
of
all
races,
cultures,
and
incomes,
including
minority
and/
or
low­
income
communities
and
Tribes,
with
respect
to
the
development,
implementation,
and
enforcement
of
environmental
laws
and
policies,
and
their
meaningful
involvement
in
the
decision­
making
processes
of
the
government.
Environmental
justice
is
achieved
when
everyone,
regardless
of
race,
culture
or
income,
enjoys
the
same
degree
of
protection
from
environmental
and
health
hazards
and
equal
access
to
the
decision­
making
process
to
have
a
healthy
environment
in
which
to
live,
learn
and
work.
This
includes
ensuring
greater
public
participation
in
the
Agency's
development
and
implementation
of
its
regulations
and
policies.
(
Memorandum
from
EPA
Administrator
Christine
Todd
Whitman,
dated
August
9,
2001,
"
EPA's
Commitment
to
Environmental
Justice.")
(
See
also,
Executive
Order
12898,
"
Federal
Actions
to
Address
Environmental
Justice
in
Minority
Populations
and
Low­
Income
Populations,
dated
February
11,
1994.)
Thus,
ensuring
meaningful
public
involvement
advances
the
goals
of
environmental
justice.

EPA's
Seven
Basic
Steps
for
Effective
Public
Involvement
The
EPA
should
ensure
that
it
conducts
meaningful
public
involvement
activities
and
implements
all
public
involvement
provisions
required
by
statute.

There
are
seven
basic
steps
to
consider
when
planning
for
public
involvement.
Agency
officials
should
exercise
judgment
and
carefully
consider
the
particular
circumstances
of
each
situation
in
determining
how
to
carry
out
those
steps.
Agency
staff
and
managers
should
strive
to
provide
the
most
meaningful
public
involvement
opportunities
appropriate
to
each
situation.
Agency
officials
should
consider
the
issues,
locations,
potential
environmental
and
human
health
consequences
of
the
activities,
potential
for
controversy,
specific
needs
of
the
public
and
the
Agency,
and
other
circumstances
when
designing
public
involvement
processes.
For
instance,
enhanced
opportunities
for
public
involvement
should
be
created
for
those
situations
in
which
there
is
the
potential
for
greater
environmental
or
human
health
consequences
or
controversy.
It
is
important
to
note
that
the
Agency
needs
to
set
priorities
for
its
use
of
resources,
and
that
budgetary
constraints
may
affect
the
implementation
of
any
of
these
elements.
6
The
seven
basic
steps
for
effective
public
involvement
in
any
decision
or
activity
are:
1.
Plan
and
budget
for
public
involvement
activities
2.
Identify
the
interested
and
affected
public
3.
Consider
providing
technical
or
financial
assistance
to
the
public
to
facilitate
involvement
4.
Provide
information
and
outreach
to
the
public
5.
Conduct
public
consultation
and
involvement
activities
6.
Review
and
use
input
and
provide
feedback
to
the
public
7.
Evaluate
public
involvement
activities
The
recommended
goals,
actions
and
methods
for
each
of
these
steps
are
described
in
Appendix
1,
Guidance
for
Implementing
Public
Involvement
at
EPA,
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement/
policy2003/
guidance.
pdf.

Who
is
Responsible
for
Managing
the
Application
of
this
Policy?

Under
the
overall
direction
of
the
Administrator,
and
consistent
with
this
policy,
Assistant,
Regional
and
Associate
Administrators
are
responsible
for
ensuring
that
their
managers
and
staff
encourage
and
facilitate
public
involvement
in
programs
and
activities.
Public
involvement
should
be
an
integral
part
of
any
Agency
program.
Moreover,
the
Agency
should
strive
to
achieve
public
involvement
that
is
commensurate
with
the
potential
impact
of
the
activity.
The
Assistant,
Regional
or
Associate
Administrators
should
make
certain
that
concerns
about
the
adequacy
of
public
involvement
are
heard
and,
where
necessary,
acted
upon
as
resources
allow.
Managers
should
encourage
and
facilitate
the
proper
training,
support
and
counseling
of
staff,
and,
recognizing
overall
budgetary
constraints,
should
plan
for
and
provide
adequate
funding
for
training
or
other
needs
in
their
specific
budgets.
(
See
more
detailed
responsibilities
section
in
Appendix
1
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement/
policy2003/
guidance.
pdf.)
7
Appendix
1
­
Guidance
for
Implementing
Public
Involvement
at
EPA
This
guidance
is
to
help
EPA
staff
and
managers
in
implementing
the
seven
basic
steps
for
effective
public
involvement
outlined
in
the
Agency's
Public
Involvement
Policy.

1.
Plan
and
budget
for
public
involvement
activities.
Goal:
To
facilitate
effective
public
involvement
processes
through
advance
planning,
early
notice
to
stakeholders,
adequate
time
and
resources,
and
evaluation.

a.
Actions:
When
preparing
budget
and
planning
documents
for
regulatory
and
nonregulatory
programs,
Agency
officials
should
provide:
resources
and
staff
time
dedicated
to
public
involvement
activities;
time
for
conducting
and
evaluating
public
involvement
activities;
and
staff
and
resources
to
provide
technical
assistance
to
the
involved
public
where
appropriate
(
See
the
Policy's
Step
3,
"
Consider
providing
technical
or
financial
assistance
to
the
public").
These
activities
may
be
included
in
planning
documents
such
as
regulatory
development
plans,
analytic
blueprints,
program
plans
or
EPA's
plans
for
complying
with
the
Government
Performance
and
Results
Act.
Budget
documents
should
include
resources
for
public
involvement
separate
from
and
in
addition
to
funds
required
to
comply
with
statutes
and
executive
orders
that
require
public
involvement,
such
as
the
Unfunded
Mandates
Reform
Act,
the
Regulatory
Flexibility
Act,
Executive
Order
13132
(
Federalism),
and
Executive
Order
13175
(
Consultation
and
Coordination
with
Indian
Tribal
Governments).
In
addition,
any
planned
activities
should
comply
with
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act
(
PRA)
and
the
Federal
Advisory
Committee
Act
(
FACA),
as
necessary.
EPA
staff
should
consult
with
the
Office
of
General
Counsel
(
OGC)
or
the
Office
of
Regional
Counsel
(
ORC)
for
information
on
these
statutes.

Agency
officials
should
include
the
following
in
such
planning
documents,
as
appropriate:
°
Key
decisions
subject
to
public
involvement,
with
their
significant
intermediate
decision
making
points
(
for
example,
identifying
issues,
developing
options,
assessing
impacts,
evaluating
and
choosing
options)
°
Staff
and
budget
for
public
involvement
°
Objectives
of
public
involvement
in
the
project
or
decision,
and
the
appropriate
level
of
public
involvement
(
For
example,
does
the
issue
warrant
information
dissemination,
interactive
consultation
or
more
collaborative
approaches?)
°
Segments
of
the
public
targeted
for
involvement
and
plans
for
identifying
organizations
and
individuals,
[
Note:
Plans
involving
collecting
information
from
more
than
nine
nonfederal
parties
may
be
subject
to
the
PRA,
which
ensures
that
federal
agencies'
efforts
to
collect
information
do
not
unnecessarily
burden
the
public.
For
advice
on
whether
the
PRA
applies,
staff
should
consult
with
the
OGC
as
well
as
the
Collection
Strategies
Division
of
the
Office
of
Environmental
Information,
or
their
website
http://
intranet.
epa.
gov/
icrintra]
°
Opportunities
that
help
participants
gain
an
adequate
understanding
of
relevant
scientific,
financial
and
technical
information
relevant
to
the
decision
°
Proposed
schedule
for
public
involvement
activities
that
is
consistent
with
the
timing
of
the
decision
process
°
Mechanisms
to
apply
the
seven
basic
steps
­­
Planning
and
Budgeting,
Identification,
Providing
Assistance,
Information
and
Outreach,
Public
Consultation
and
Involvement,
8
Review
and
Feedback,
and
Evaluation
­­
set
out
above
­­
consistent
with
the
proposed
schedule
°
Measures
or
methods
to
evaluate
the
effectiveness
of
public
involvement
When
identified
in
an
approved
grant
work
plan,
grant
funds
may
be
used,
subject
to
any
statutory
or
regulatory
limitations,
to
support
reasonable
costs
of
public
involvement
incurred
by
assisted
agencies
or
organizations,
including
advisory
group
expenses.

2.
Identify
the
interested
and
affected
public.
Goal:
To
identify
groups
or
members
of
the
public
who
may
have
expressed
an
interest
in
or
who
by
the
nature
of
their
location,
purposes
or
activities,
may
be
affected
by
an
upcoming
EPA
activity
or
action.

a.
Actions:
For
each
program,
activity
or
project
EPA
should
develop
a
contact
list,
and
add
to
the
list
those
members
of
the
public
who
request
they
be
added.
EPA
should
update
each
list
frequently
and
strive
to
ensure
lists
include
the
full
range
of
interested
and
affected
parties.
Lists
will
be
most
useful
if
subdivided
by
category
of
interest
or
geographic
area.
The
nature
and
intensity
of
the
involvement
activities
will
drive
the
frequency
of
updating.
EPA
should
use
the
contact
lists
to
send
announcements
of
involvement
opportunities:
notices
of
meetings,
hearings,
field
trips,
and
other
events;
notices
of
available
information,
reports
and
documents;
and
to
identify
members
of
the
public
who
may
be
considered
for
advisory
group
membership
and
other
activities.

b.
Methods:
Staff
can
construct
these
lists
of
contacts
using
various
methods,
including,
but
not
limited
to
the
following:
C
Participating
in
workshops,
community
meetings,
public
events,
etc.
to
share
information
with
potentially
interested
groups
and
individuals,
and
enable
them
to
request
additional
information
on
the
particular
program,
activity
or
project
C
Providing
a
mailing
list
sign­
up
sheet
at
workshops,
community
meetings,
public
events,
etc.
(
The
sign­
up
sheet
should
include
a
prominent
notice
at
the
top
of
each
page
informing
those
who
sign
it
of
how
the
list
will
be
used.
Potential
signers
should
be
asked
to
specify
whether
they
agree
to
allow
the
Agency
to
use
their
name
and
address
for
mailings
regarding
only
a
specific
topic
or
for
a
wider
variety
of
Agency
issues.)
C
Sharing
mailing
lists
between
different
EPA
program
and
regional
offices
if
the
individuals
on
the
lists
have
provided
the
Agency
permission
to
use
their
names
and
addresses
for
mailings
on
a
wide
range
of
EPA­
related
topics
C
Encouraging
external
organizations
and
agencies
to
publicize
EPA
activities
C
Using
questionnaires
or
surveys
to
find
out
levels
of
awareness
and
the
need
for
tailored
public
education
and
outreach
[
Note:
see
section
1
above
on
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act]
C
Including
an
EPA
point
of
contact
on
EPA
documents
(
fact
sheets,
public
notices,
sign­
up
sheets
at
meetings,
etc.)
so
individuals
may
ask
to
be
placed
on
lists
C
Soliciting
interest
through
notices
in
the
Federal
Register;
trade
and
trade
association
publications;
local
print,
radio,
cable
and
television
outlets;
not­
for­
profit
secular
and
religious
publications;
or
through
the
Internet
or
other
electronic
means
C
Asking
those
who
attend
events
what,
if
any,
interests
are
missing
C
Using
other
comprehensive
or
creative
means
that
consider
the
community
structure,
languages
spoken,
local
communications
preferences
and
the
locations
(
such
as
9
libraries,
churches,
schools
and
other
centers)
where
the
community
regularly
congregates
EPA
recognizes
that
efforts
to
assemble
mailing
lists
can
raise
privacy
concerns.
The
Agency
is
committed
to
protecting
the
privacy
of
individuals.
Thus,
it
is
Agency
policy
not
ask
individuals
for
their
names
and
addresses
for
creating
new
mailing
lists
without
explicit
permission
from
those
individuals
or
to
use
names
and
addresses
collected
for
disseminating
information
about
one
specific
topic
for
any
unrelated
purpose
unless
the
individuals
on
the
mailing
list
grant
permission
to
do
so.

EPA
mailing
lists
should
be
organized
by
subject
matter,
program
or
other
topic.
EPA
should
not
combine
mailing
lists
to
create
profiles
of
specific
individuals.

3.
Consider
providing
technical
or
financial
assistance
to
the
public
to
facilitate
involvement.
Goals:
C
To
improve
public
involvement
opportunities
through
providing
technical
or
financial
assistance,
when
available
and
appropriate,
to
stakeholders,
small
local
governments
and
members
of
the
public.
C
To
use
such
assistance
to
help
build
capacity
to
understand
complex
technical
issues
and
enable
people
to
participate
substantively
in
EPA's
decision­
making
processes.

a.
Actions:
EPA
recognizes
that
many
of
its
actions
involve
highly
technical,
complex
issues.
An
understanding
of
the
underlying
science
is
a
basic
requirement
for
meaningful
public
involvement
in
the
Agency's
decision­
making
processes,
but
can
require
substantial
commitments
of
time
for
study,
research,
analysis
and
discussion
by
the
public.
It
is
important
for
EPA
to
provide
a
sound
understanding
of
the
issues
and
options
it
is
considering;
EPA
staff
efforts
and
access
to
EPA
materials
often
are
sufficient.
It
is
also
important
for
the
Agency
to
identify
those
situations
where
members
of
the
affected
public
may
not
have
the
requisite
knowledge
or
resources
to
participate
directly
or
obtain
expertise
to
engage
in
meaningful
involvement.
In
such
situations
EPA
may
have
the
authority
to
take
special
measures
such
as
providing
technical
or
financial
assistance
to
facilitate
effective
participation.

When
such
assistance
is
needed
and
available,
EPA
should
announce
its
availability
as
early
in
the
process
as
possible,
and
clearly
describe
the
process
and
timing
for
accessing
it.

b.
Methods:
There
are
numerous
ways
to
assist
members
of
the
public
and
small
local
governments
who
lack
the
ability
to
participate
in
an
effective
or
timely
manner
in
Agency
public
consultation
or
involvement
activities.
The
Agency
can
provide
assistance
through
services
that
the
interested
public
can
use.
Knowledgeable
staff
can
help
to
determine
which
methods
are
most
appropriate
to
the
situation
and
meet
applicable
legal
requirements.
Methods
may
include:
C
Access
to
Agency
experts
or
contractors
to
obtain
information
and
analyses
as
resources
allow
C
Access
to
technical
personnel
through
grants
to
universities
(
for
example,
the
Superfund
Program's
Technical
Outreach
Services
to
Communities
project
has
provided
independent
university­
based
scientific
and
engineering
expertise
to
115
communities
dealing
with
hazardous
substance
contamination
questions)
10
C
Technical
Assistance
Grants
(
TAGs)
under
Section
117
of
Comprehensive
Environmental
Response,
Compensation
and
Liability
Act
(
CERCLA)
awarded
to
groups
of
individuals
who
may
be
affected
by
a
release
or
a
threatened
release
at
Superfund
sites
to
obtain
assistance
in
interpreting
and
disseminating
data
and
information
related
to
site
activities
C
Task­
specific
technical
assistance
to
help
stakeholders
address
issues
either
in
project
negotiation
or
implementation
phases
of
regulatory
flexibility
projects
C
Collection
and
dissemination
of
information
on
outside
sources
of
funding
or
technical
assistance
C
Collaboration
with
nongovernmental
organizations
and
other
information
brokers
C
Provision
of
surplussed
computer
equipment
to
parties
who
need
access
to
the
Internet,
following
Agency
requirements
for
this
activity
(
under
EPA's
policy
in
response
to
Executive
Order
12999
­
Educational
Technology
Ensuring
Opportunity
for
all
Children
in
the
Next
Century
that
directs
special
attention
be
given
to
schools
and
nonprofit
organizations,
including
community
based
educational
organizations
located
in
minority,
low­
income
and
underserved
communities)

In
some
limited
circumstances,
direct
financial
assistance
may
be
available
for
EPA
partners,
outside
organizations
and
stakeholders.
For
example,
depending
on
annual
budget
authorizations,
and
when
EPA
managers
deem
appropriate
and
essential
for
achieving
program
goals,
EPA
may
sometimes
have
authority
to
provide
funds
to
small
local
governments,
outside
organizations
and
stakeholders
for
public
involvement
activities
associated
with
rules
under
development.
In
addition
EPA
should,
in
limited
situations,
consider
providing
financial
support
to
stakeholders
such
as:
C
Travel
and
per
diem
for
stakeholders
to
provide
information
and
advice
directly
to
Agency
officials
C
Compensation
for
meeting
time
spent
as
a
member
of
a
Federal
Advisory
Committee
However,
funds
for
such
purposes
are
generally
very
limited.
When
EPA
does
provide
funding,
the
primary
purpose
must
be
consistent
with
the
Federal
Grant
and
Cooperative
Agreement
Act,
and
one
or
more
of
EPA's
statutes
must
provide
appropriate
authority
for
the
funded
activities.

c.
Considerations
for
funding
public
involvement:
Applicable
statutes
and
regulations
generally
specify
criteria
for
providing
financial
assistance.
Agency
staff
should
also
consider:
C
Whether
the
proposed
activity
is
allowable
under
applicable
statutory
authority
C
The
adequacy
of
the
representation
of
involved
interests
C
The
adequacy
of
the
applicant's
resources
in
relation
to
ability
to
participate
C
The
applicant's
qualifications
to
accomplish
the
work
C
The
involvement
of
those
with
a
direct
stake
in
the
local
community
in
the
activity
C
The
ability
of
the
activity
to
further
public
involvement
objectives
and
benefit
the
public
In
general,
the
Agency
should
make
special
efforts
to
provide
assistance
to
groups
that
may
have
fewer
opportunities
or
insufficient
resources
to
participate.

4.
Provide
information
and
outreach
to
the
public.
11
Goals:
C
To
provide
the
public
with
access
to
accurate,
understandable,
pertinent
and
timely
information
to
facilitate
effective
involvement
in
Agency
decision­
making
processes
C
To
assist
the
public
in
understanding
the
reasons
for
Agency
action,
the
legal
framework
for
decision
making
and
the
significance
of
the
related
technical
data
so
the
public
can
provide
meaningful
comments.

a.
Actions:
Whenever
possible,
Agency
officials
should:
C
Provide
the
public
with
adequate
and
timely
information
concerning
a
forthcoming
action
or
decision
C
Provide
policy,
program,
and
technical
information
to
the
affected
public
and
interested
parties
at
the
earliest
practicable
times,
to
enable
those
potentially
affected
or
interested
persons
to
make
informed
and
constructive
contributions
to
decision
making
C
Provide
information
at
places
easily
accessible
to
interested
and
affected
persons
and
organizations
C
To
the
extent
practicable,
provide
the
public
with
integrated,
on­
line,
user­
friendly
access
to
health
and
environmental
data
and
information
and
to
the
extent
practicable,
enable
communities,
including
minority,
low­
income
and
underserved
populations,
to
have
access
to
relevant
data
and
information
C
To
the
extent
practicable,
develop
information
and
educational
programs
so
all
levels
of
government
and
the
public
have
an
opportunity
to
become
familiar
with
the
issues,
technical
data
and
relevant
science
behind
the
issues
C
Provide
informational
materials
that
clearly
identify
the
role
of
the
public
in
the
specific
decisions
to
be
made
C
Summarize
complex
technical
materials
for
the
public
C
Write
information
and
outreach
documents
in
plain
language
the
public
will
easily
understand
C
Write
engineering
and
technical
documents
as
clearly
and
concisely
as
possible
C
Consider
whether
EPA
should
provide
documents
in
languages
in
addition
to
English
to
reach
the
affected
public
or
interested
parties,
consistent
with
Executive
Order
13166
on
"
Improving
Access
to
Services
for
Persons
with
Limited
English
Proficiency,"
signed
August
11,
2000
C
To
the
extent
possible,
maintain
ongoing
communication
and
outreach
with
the
interested
and
involved
public
on
particular
EPA
activities
through
periodic
newsletters,
list
serves
or
other
means
C
Use
EPA's
existing
public
involvement
manuals,
which
contain
helpful
advice
for
involving
the
public
in
specific
EPA
programs.
(
See
these
manuals
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement/
involvework.
htm#
manuals.)

b.
Methods:
Information
and
outreach
programs
require
the
use
of
appropriate
communication
tools,
and
should
be
tailored
to
accommodate
the
public's
familiarity
with
the
subject
and
means
of
access.

The
following,
among
many
other
approaches,
may
be
used:
C
Publications,
fact
sheets,
technical
summaries,
bibliographies,
resource
guides,
relevant
supporting
documents
and
other
printed
and
electronic
materials.
(
These
materials
may
be
made
available
through
the
mail,
on
the
EPA
web
site,
and
at
information
repositories
12
such
as
EPA
regional
and
field
offices,
federal
depository
libraries
and
local
public
libraries,
and
state/
tribal/
local
agencies.)
C
Videos
and
CD
ROMs
C
Questionnaires,
surveys,
and
interviews
[
Note:
subject
to
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act,
see
Step
1
above]
C
Public
service
announcements,
articles
and
news
releases
through
local
newspapers,
radio,
and
other
media
sources
that
reach
the
interested
and
affected
public
C
Educational
publications,
programs
or
activities
C
Electronic
communications
such
as
Web
pages,
chat
rooms,
on­
line
dialogues,
and
list
serves
(
Agency
officials
wishing
to
use
web
pages,
on­
line
dialogues,
and
chat
rooms
should
obtain
approval
from
EPA
management
and
consult
with
their
information
security
officer.)
C
Participation
in
conferences,
workshops,
meetings,
community
dialogues
or
local
study
groups
C
Telephone
communications
such
as
hotlines,
clearinghouses
and
toll­
free
comment
lines
C
Video
conferences
and
satellite
downlinks
C
Participation
at
public
events,
such
as
fairs
and
festivals
C
Tours
of
relevant
sites
and
facilities
c.
Content.
Examples
of
outreach
materials
may
include
but
are
not
limited
to:
C
Background
information
(
for
example,
statutory
basis,
rationale,
specific
goal(
s)
of
involvement
activities
or
the
triggering
event
of
the
action)
C
A
timetable
of
proposed
actions
C
Summaries
of
lengthy
documents
or
technical
material,
if
relevant
C
An
outline
of
issues
and
the
interests
that
they
may
affect
C
Alternative
courses
of
action
or
tentative
determinations
the
Agency
may
have
made
C
Information
on
whether
an
Environmental
Impact
Statement
or
Environmental
Assessment
is
or
will
be,
available
C
Specific
encouragement
to
stimulate
active
involvement
by
the
public,
including
describing
the
nature
of
its
influence,
roles,
and
potential
impact
on
the
decisions
C
The
name
and
contact
information
(
address,
e­
mail
address,
telephone
and
telefax
numbers)
to
reach
EPA
staff
for
further
information
C
Information
on
the
social,
economic
and
environmental
consequences
of
proposed
decisions
and
alternatives
prepared
in
connection
with
the
proposed
decision
C
Technical
evidence
and
research
methodology
explained
in
nontechnical
language
C
If
available,
a
list
of
sources
of
technical
assistance,
advice
and
self­
help
manuals
or
other
publications
that
could
be
helpful
to
the
public
Fact
sheets,
news
releases,
summaries,
and
similar
publications
in
print
and
on
the
Internet
may
be
used
to
provide
notice
of
availability
of
materials
and
to
facilitate
public
understanding
of
more
complex
documents,
but
should
not
be
a
substitute
for
public
access
to
the
complete
documents.
When
practicable,
EPA
should
provide
information
in
formats
and
locations
that
match
the
public's
needs.
Some
documents
(
e.
g.,
confidential
business
information)
are
not
available
for
public
review.
Before
releasing
privileged
documents
or
for
advice
on
whether
a
particular
document
is
privileged,
staff
and
managers
should
consult
with
the
ORC
or
OGC.

d.
Notification.
Responsible
officials
should
make
parties
on
the
contact
list
and
the
media
aware
of
the
outreach
materials
available.
The
public
should
have
adequate
time
and
opportunity
to
13
receive
and
review
the
information
before
EPA
conducts
any
additional
public
involvement
activities.
Notices
should
include
information
about
the
repository
(
address,
hours
of
operation,
etc.)
or
other
information
relating
to
access
to
all
documents
referred
to
in
the
notice,
including
the
name
of
a
contact
person
when
appropriate.

e.
Timing.
To
enable
effective
and
meaningful
public
involvement,
EPA
should
distribute
outreach
materials
that
make
the
public
aware
of
the
planned
activity
and
that
outline
the
issue(
s)
as
early
as
such
information
is
available.
The
more
complex
the
issue
and
greater
the
potential
for
controversy
or
misunderstanding,
the
earlier
the
Agency
should
distribute
the
materials.
When
there
is
a
formal
public
comment
process,
EPA
should,
whenever
possible,
notify
stakeholders
of
the
expected
timing
of
that
process
to
enable
stakeholders
to
plan
for
participation
and
provide
the
most
useful
response.
Furthermore,
the
comment
period
should
not
open
until
materials
are
available
for
the
public
to
obtain
and
review.
The
Agency
often
makes
EPA's
materials
available
to
the
public
by
placing
them
in
a
public
docket.
Dockets
are
discussed
in
more
detail
below
under
"
g.
Repositories
or
dockets."

Statutes
or
rules
often
specify
minimum
public
comment
periods.
Generally,
the
Agency
should
provide
materials
for
public
comment
should
as
soon
as
they
are
available
and
should
allow
for
at
least
30
days
for
the
public
review
and
comment
(
or
longer,
as
specified
in
program­
specific
requirements)
or
45
days
notice
for
public
hearings.

Unless
the
applicable
statute
or
regulation
provides
otherwise,
the
comment
period
for
public
review
of
unusually
complex
issues
or
lengthy
documents
generally
should
be
no
less
than
60
days.

f.
Fees
for
Copying:
In
responding
to
a
request
for
records,
the
Agency
will
follow
its
regulations
implementing
the
Freedom
of
Information
Act
("
FOIA")
at
40
CFR
Part
2.
The
Agency
may
waive
the
fees
associated
with
a
FOIA
request,
pursuant
to
the
criteria
listed
at
40
CFR
2.107(
l),
if
disclosure
would
contribute
to
public
understanding
of
government
operations
and
is
not
primarily
in
the
commercial
interest
of
the
requester.

g.
Repositories
or
Dockets:
The
Agency
should
provide
one
or
more
central
collections
of
documents,
reports,
studies,
plans,
etc.
relating
to
controversial
issues
or
significant
decisions
in
a
location
or
locations
convenient
to
the
public.
Suitable
locations
will
depend
on
the
nature
of
the
action.
For
national
rules
a
single
central
docket
is
generally
appropriate,
but
local
repositories
may
be
preferable
when
decisions
relate
to
individual
facilities
or
sites.
RCRA
regulations
authorize
EPA
to
require
hazardous
waste
treatment,
storage
or
disposal
facilities
to
set
up
and
maintain
a
repository
of
information
related
to
the
RCRA
site.
(
40
CFR
§
124.33)
In
all
other
instances,
for
actions
at
local
facilities
or
sites,
Agency
officials
should
work
with
community
representatives
and
the
facility
to
determine
the
most
accessible
repository
site(
s)
within
the
community.
When
choosing
the
site
for
a
document
repository,
Agency
officials
should
consider
accessibility,
travel
time,
parking,
transit,
and
availability
during
off­
work
hours.
Copying
facilities
should
be
available
at
repositories.
Agency
officials
are
encouraged
to
determine
the
accessibility
to
the
interested
public
and
feasibility
of
electronic
repositories
that
take
advantage
of
the
Internet
to
reach
directly
into
homes,
libraries
and
other
facilities
throughout
a
community
and
across
the
nation.
If
the
public
has
reasonably
convenient,
well­
advertised
electronic
repositories,
this
can
achieve
significantly
enhanced
accessibility
at
a
very
modest
cost.
14
At
EPA,
dockets
serve
as
the
repository
for
the
collection
of
documents
or
information
related
to
a
particular
agency
action
or
activity.
The
docket
generally
consists
of
the
documents
specifically
referenced
in
the
related
Federal
Register
document,
any
public
comments
received,
and
other
information
used
by
decision­
makers
or
otherwise
related
to
the
Agency
action
or
activity.
Agencies
most
commonly
use
dockets
for
regulatory
actions,
but
may
also
use
dockets
for
various
other
nonrulemaking
activities,
such
as
Federal
Register
documents
seeking
public
comments
on
draft
guidance,
policy
statements,
information
collection
requests
under
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act,
and
other
nonrule
activities.

EPA's
EDOCKET
is
an
online
public
docket
and
comment
system
initially
designed
to
expand
public
access
to
documents
in
EPA's
major
program
dockets,
eventually
to
include
the
other
EPA
dockets.
EDOCKET
allows
the
public
to
search
available
dockets
online,
submit
or
view
public
comments,
access
the
index
listing
of
the
contents
of
the
docket,
and
to
access,
download
and
print
those
documents
in
the
docket
that
are
available
electronically.

In
August
of
2002,
EPA
consolidated
several
of
the
Headquarters
paper
docket
facilities
into
one,
the
EPA
Docket
Center.
Through
this
Docket
Center,
EPA
has
improved
the
docket's
internal
workflow
processes
and
has
enhanced
customer
service
and
public
access
to
information.
This
central
facility
for
most
EPA
Headquarters
dockets
also
offers
the
public
both
convenience
and
efficiency,
enabling
citizens
to
access
multiple
program
dockets
and
conduct
cross­
docket
searches
from
one
location.
The
EPA
Docket
Center
features
a
Public
Reading
Room
with
the
following
services:
computers
for
the
public
to
access
EDOCKET,
scanners,
copiers,
telephone
lines
and
faxes.
For
more
information
about
the
EPA
Docket
Center
or
EPA's
EDOCKET,
go
to
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
epahome/
dockets.
htm.

5.
Conduct
public
consultation
and
involvement
activities.
Goals:
C
To
understand
the
interests
and
needs
of
the
affected
public.
C
To
provide
for
the
exchange
of
information
and
views
and
open
exploration
of
issues,
alternatives
and
consequences
between
interested
and
affected
members
of
the
public
and
officials
responsible
for
the
forthcoming
action
or
decision.

a.
Actions:
Agency
officials
should:
C
Identify
and
select
public
consultation
or
involvement
processes
appropriate
for
the
scope
of
the
decision
and
the
time
and
resources
available
C
When
possible,
consult
or
involve
the
affected
public
to
ensure
the
approaches
selected
consider
and,
if
appropriate,
accommodate
the
potentially
affected
parties'
needs,
preferences,
schedules
and
resources,
as
well
as
the
Agency's
needs
C
Notify
the
public
of
potential
consultation
and
involvement
activities
early
enough
to
ensure
the
public
has
adequate
time
to
obtain
and
evaluate
information;
consult
experts,
and
formulate
and
express
their
opinions,
options,
and
suggestions
prior
to
Agency
action
C
For
site­
specific
activities,
start
public
involvement
efforts
early
in
the
action
and
continue
them,
as
appropriate,
until
completion
of
all
work
C
Conduct
public
consultation
and
involvement
activities
at
times
and
places
that,
to
the
maximum
extent
feasible,
facilitate
attendance
or
involvement
by
the
affected
public
15
C
Whenever
possible,
consider
whether
public
meetings
concerning
local
facilities
or
sites
should
be
held
during
non­
work
hours,
such
as
evenings
or
weekends,
and
at
locations
accessible
via
public
transportation
C
Provide
guidance,
resources,
training,
and
professional
assistance
to
Agency
staff
and
interested
delegated
program
partners,
when
feasible,
to
assist
them
in
conducting
or
participating
in
public
consultation
and
involvement
activities
in
an
effective
and
credible
manner
(
This
includes
providing
the
technical,
scientific,
and
background
information
in
a
manner
that
allows
the
involved
public
to
understand
the
relevant
science
for
the
issues
under
discussion.)
C
Consider
the
appropriate
use
of
third
parties
(
neutral
facilitators
or
mediators)
in
the
development
and
implementation
of
programs,
projects
and
activities
C
Be
knowledgeable
of
and
comply
with
provisions
of
open
meetings
laws
and
regulations,
such
as
the
Federal
Advisory
Committee
Act,
as
well
as
all
information
gathering
requirements,
such
as
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act
C
Be
knowledgeable
of
and
comply
with
provisions
of
the
Rehabilitation
Act
regarding
appropriate
accommodations
for
individuals
who
need
special
assistance
in
attending
public
hearings,
meetings
or
other
events
b.
Methods:
Consultation
and
involvement
processes
may
take
a
variety
of
forms,
depending
on
the
issues
to
be
addressed,
the
timing
of
the
decision­
making
action,
and
the
needs
and
resources
of
the
interested
and
affected
public.
In
all
cases
EPA
should
work
to
maximize
the
use
of
existing
institutional
resources
as
vehicles
for
consultation
and
involvement
processes.
The
more
than
twenty
EPA
Federal
Advisory
Committees
are
such
an
institutional
resource.
EPA
established
each
of
them
to
provide
advice
on
a
different
aspect
of
environmental
policy
or
management.
These
committees
are
part
of
the
Executive
Branch
decision­
making
process
and
include
members
who
are
scientists,
public
health
officials,
businessmen,
private
citizens,
and
officials
at
all
levels
of
government.
Approximately
1,400
citizens
sit
on
FACA
committees,
bringing
a
variety
of
perspectives
and
expertise
to
the
environmental
consensus
building
process.

EPA
staff
can
use
a
wide
variety
of
public
involvement
methods.
Step
4,
"
Provide
information
and
outreach
to
the
public,"
addresses
predominantly
one­
way
communications
from
EPA
to
the
public.
More
direct
involvement
activities
range
from
information
exchange,
in
which
EPA
and
the
public
share
views,
to
more
collaborative
methods
that
result
in
stakeholder­
defined
recommendations
or
agreements.
When
starting
public
involvement
for
a
particular
decision,
EPA
staff
should
consider
using
a
variety
of
methods
within
these
broad
categories
as
well
as
using
combinations
of
outreach,
information
exchange
and
collaboration
to
more
effectively
involve
the
public
in
the
decision­
making
process.
Using
a
collaborative
recommendation
or
agreement
process
or
reaching
consensus
with
the
involved
public
is
not
required,
necessary
or
practical
in
all
decision­
making
processes.

General
descriptions
of
public
involvement
methods
follow,
including
their
purposes,
common
examples,
and
key
actions.
The
following
list
of
public
involvement
methods
is
not
exhaustive.
Its
variety
demonstrates
the
need
for
program
officials
to
be
flexible
and
to
obtain
information
that
enables
them
to
choose
the
appropriate
techniques
for
each
situation.
EPA
staff
also
should
review
the
Agency's
detailed
public
involvement
manuals
and
guides
when
planning
public
involvement
activities.
(
See
Addendum
1
for
a
list
of
key
resources.)
16
1.
Information
exchange
activities
Purposes:
C
To
enable
the
public
and
the
Agency
to
share
data,
ideas,
advice
and
concerns
C
To
allow
EPA
to
obtain
input
from
a
wide
range
of
interested
and
affected
parties
C
To
compile
a
knowledge
base
of
the
public's
various
interests,
ideas
and
needs,
allowing
the
Agency
to
better
understand
and
consider
the
issues
related
to
a
particular
decision
Common
examples:
C
Communication
directed
from
the
public
to
the
Agency,
as
in
public
comment
processes,
public
meetings
or
public
hearings
C
Interactive
methods
that
provide
participants
with
opportunities
to
discuss
the
issues
and
their
input
with
the
Agency
through
public
meetings,
listening
sessions,
workshops,
availability
sessions,
open
houses,
interviews,
focus
groups
or
surveys,
Internet­
based
dialogues
and
other
methods
(
Note:
Some
of
these
types
of
exchange
activities,
including
surveys
and
Internet
dialogues,
potentially
are
subject
to
provisions
of
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act
and
security
and
privacy
constraints)
C
Public
hearings
and
public
meetings
Public
hearing
and
meetings
provide
an
opportunity
for
formal
or
informal
public
involvement.
EPA's
statutes
and/
or
regulations
often
require
EPA
to
hold
public
hearings
or
meetings.
EPA
also
may
provide
such
opportunities
on
a
voluntary
basis.
Unless
other
procedures
are
set
out
in
the
relevant
statute
or
regulations,
public
meetings
and
hearings
should
follow
the
procedures
set
out
in
40
CFR
Part
25.
The
Agency
should
conduct
public
meetings
and
hearings
objectively
and
should
carefully
consider
the
needs
of
the
affected
community
and
individual
participants
when
planning
these
events.
Though
certain
formalities
should
apply
to
all
public
hearings
and
meetings,
procedures
should
not
be
so
prescriptive
as
to
discourage
participation.
When
the
subject
of
a
public
hearing,
meeting
or
other
information
exchange
process
relates
to
conditions
or
facilities
in
a
specific
geographic
area,
EPA
should
hold
the
public
hearing
or
meeting
in
that
general
geographic
area.
Public
meetings
and
hearings
should
be
part
of
an
overall
process
that
also
gives
the
public
more
opportunities
for
becoming
informed
and
involved.

2.
Recommendation
Processes
Purposes:
C
To
develop
recommendations
for
EPA,
generally
through
the
collaboration
of
members
of
EPA­
established
advisory
committees,
but
also
through
other
means,
including
receiving
recommendations
from
individuals
C
To
provide
input
into
EPA's
decision­
making
processes,
especially
when
decisions
are
complex
and/
or
have
far­
reaching
effects
C
To
identify
and
analyze
various
options,
recommend
creative
solutions
and
find
common
ground
among
competing
points
of
view
C
In
addition
to
soliciting
input
from
the
general
public,
to
obtain
input
from
specific
stakeholder
groups
who
can
provide
valuable
technical
expertise,
information
or
viewpoints
that
EPA
should
consider
in
order
to
create
a
sound
decision
Common
examples:
C
Committees
established
by
EPA
under
the
Federal
Advisory
Committee
Act
(
FACA)
C
External
technical
committees
(
such
as
those
conducted
by
the
American
Society
for
Testing
and
Materials),
and
various
technical
advisory
groups,
citizens'
advisory
groups
or
panels
that
EPA
does
not
establish,
manage
or
control
that
may
provide
recommendations
to
the
Agency
17
Actions:
C
The
Agency
may
adopt
the
recommendations
of
a
FACA
committee,
but
is
not
bound
to
implement
the
committee's
recommendations
(
See
Appendix
4
for
FACA
requirements)
C
As
FACA
requires,
advisory
committees
must
be
balanced
in
the
points
of
view
represented
for
the
function
the
committee
is
to
provide
C
EPA
should
include
the
affected
community
when
appropriate
3.
Agreement
processes
Purposes:
C
To
reach
a
mutually
acceptable
decision
between
EPA
and
selected
stakeholder
representatives,
in
a
written
agreement.
In
some
cases,
such
agreements
are
not
legally
enforceable,
but
do
represent
a
good
faith
commitment
by
EPA
and
the
other
parties.
C
To
develop
creative
and
flexible
solutions
for
particularly
difficult
or
controversial
issues
through
a
process
that
includes
direct
participation
by
interested
parties
C
To
reduce
the
time
needed
to
reach
a
final
decision,
build
support
among
various
constituencies,
facilitate
early
implementation,
and
reduce
the
threat
of
litigation
Common
examples:
C
Negotiated
rulemaking
committees
C
Other
negotiated
or
mediated
agreements
and
Memoranda
of
Understanding
Actions:
C
EPA
should
seek
to
ensure
that
the
selected
participants
have
the
relevant
knowledge
and
resources
to
engage
in
agreement
processes
and
provide
a
balanced
and
wide
range
of
views
C
EPA
should
ensure
that
negotiated
rulemaking
committees
meet
all
FACA
requirements
Facilitation
and
Alternative
Dispute
Resolution
(
ADR)
are
tools
the
Agency
may
use
to
convene
and
conduct
activities
or
to
seek
to
resolve
differences
among
various
stakeholders
during
information
exchange
and
collaborative
processes.
For
ADR,
EPA
obtains
the
services
of
neutral,
trained
facilitators
and
mediators
who
manage
discussions
between
the
Agency
and
a
set
of
well­
defined
stakeholders.
ADR
is
most
effective
when
there
are
a
few
highly
involved
and
informed
stakeholder
groups
who
agree
to
participate
in
a
dialogue
through
which
they
raise
their
concerns
and
seek
to
resolve
a
particular
issue
by
consensus.
The
Agency
can
use
facilitation
and
ADR
processes
to
encourage
conflict
prevention
or
resolution
at
any
time
during
a
decisionmaking
process.
Additional
information
on
this
topic
is
available
http:\\
www.
epa.
gov/
adr
c.
Content:
Agency
officials
should
clearly
identify
the
issues
for
discussion,
negotiation
or
decision
before
and
during
a
public
involvement
process,
so
participants
understand
on
which
issues
they
should
comment.
EPA
officials
should
describe
clearly
the
type
of
public
involvement
process
planned,
the
schedule,
EPA's
expectations
for
the
outcomes
of
the
process
and
the
timing
and
type
of
feedback
that
EPA
will
provide.
If
possible,
EPA
should
involve
the
public
in
determining
the
design
of
the
processes.

d.
Notification:
As
early
in
the
decision­
making
process
as
possible,
the
Agency
should
notify
all
parties
on
the
appropriate
contact
lists
and,
when
appropriate,
the
news
media,
of
opportunities
to
participate
and
provide
them
with
relevant
information.
In
addition
to
legal
notices
and/
or
Federal
Register
Notices,
Agency
officials
should
use
other
outreach
methods
(
as
described
in
Step
3)
to
publicize
public
involvement
opportunities.
Notices
should,
at
a
minimum,
give
the
time,
date
and
location
of
the
public
involvement
process,
a
general
description
of
the
topics
or
agenda,
a
18
contact
person
and
contact
information,
and
a
general
description
of
the
nature
of
the
process
to
be
conducted,
as
well
as
the
role
of
the
public.
Agency
officials
should
consider
the
use
of
multilingual
notices
of
upcoming
activities
and/
or
translator
services,
when
appropriate.

e.
Timing:
Agency
officials
should
provide
early
advance
notice
of
public
involvement
processes
so
the
public
can
obtain
background
information,
formulate
their
needs
and
interests
and
obtain
expert
assistance,
if
necessary.
Minimum
time
frames
for
notification
of
public
hearings
and
public
meetings
will
vary
according
to
the
applicable
regulations
and
the
complexity
of
the
issue.
For
example,
for
actions
subject
to
the
public
participation
requirements
of
40
CFR
Part
25,
the
regulations
require
EPA
to
provide
at
least
45
days'
notice
before
public
hearings,
but
that
time
may
be
reduced
to
30
days
if
there
are
no
substantial
documents
to
be
reviewed
and
no
complex
or
controversial
matters
to
be
addressed
at
the
hearing
(
40
CFR
§
25.5).
If
the
issues
are
unusually
complex
or
involve
review
of
lengthy
documents,
this
period
generally
should
be
at
least
60
days.
EPA
may
further
reduce
or
waive
the
hearing
notice
requirement
in
an
emergency
situation
in
which
EPA
determines
there
is
an
imminent
danger
to
public
health
(
40
CFR
§
25.5).

Regulations
governing
some
other
programs
not
covered
by
Part
25
have
similar
requirements.
In
programs
that
do
not
have
a
regulatory
requirement
to
provide
a
hearing
or
meeting
upon
request,
EPA
staff
should
nonetheless
consider
such
requests
unless
circumstances
clearly
necessitate
urgent
action.

When
the
Agency
holds
a
formal
public
comment
process,
EPA
officials
should
make
the
relevant
materials
available
and
accessible
to
the
public
at
the
beginning
of
the
comment
period.
Minimum
public
comment
periods
often
are
specified
in
statutes
or
rules;
however,
generally
EPA
should
allow
at
least
30
days
for
the
public
review
and
comment
period
(
or
longer,
as
specified
in
program­
specific
requirements
or
for
complex
issues
or
lengthy
documents).
Program­
specific
notice
requirements
should
be
followed.
For
example,
CERCLA
requires
that,
regardless
of
complexity,
EPA
allow
the
public
30
days
to
submit
comments
on
proposed
remedies
and,
upon
a
timely
request,
that
EPA
extend
the
public
comment
period
by
a
minimum
of
at
least
30
days
(
40
CFR
§
300.430).

f.
Summaries:
The
Federal
Advisory
Committee
Act
requires
the
preparation
of
detailed
minutes
of
advisory
committee
meetings.
[
Appendix
4
summarizes
basic
information
on
the
management
of
EPA
advisory
committees.]
In
addition,
some
statutes
also
require
minutes
of
public
meetings.
Even
when
not
required,
Agency
officials
generally
should
make
summaries
of
public
hearings
and
public
meetings
available
to
participants
and
other
interested
parties.
When
appropriate
and
practicable,
Agency
officials
should
consider
including
additions
or
corrections
that
participants
submit
to
the
summary.
In
rulemaking
proceedings,
EPA
should
place
in
the
docket
a
summary
of
significant
new
factual
information
concerning
a
proposed
rule
received
during
informal
meetings
or
conversations
with
outside
parties.
In
nonrulemaking
situations,
it
may
be
helpful
to
document
discussions
that
contribute
information
useful
to
decision
making
and
make
that
information
available
to
participants
and
interested
parties.

6.
Review
and
use
input,
and
provide
feedback
to
the
public.
Goal:
To
consistently
earn
and
retain
the
public's
trust
and
credibility
for
EPA's
actions
and
consultation
processes
by
evaluating
and
assimilating
public
viewpoints
and
19
preferences
into
final
decisions,
where
appropriate
and
possible,
and
by
communicating
to
the
public
the
decisions
made
and
how
public
input
affected
those
decisions.

Gathering
and
using
public
viewpoints
and
preferences
involves
examining
and
analyzing
public
input
in
relation
to
scientific
and
other
information
relevant
to
the
decision,
considering
if
and
how
to
incorporate
that
input
into
final
program
decisions
and
carefully
considering
public
views
when
making
or
modifying
decisions.
For
each
decision,
EPA
officials
should
attempt
to
find
a
balance
that
enables
the
Agency
to
consider
both
relevant
scientific
and
other
information
and
expressed
public
values
in
determining
how
best
to
protect
the
public's
health
and
the
environment.
The
Agency
should
demonstrate,
in
its
decisions
and
actions,
that
it
has
understood
and
fully
considered
public
concerns.
Finally,
the
Agency
should
communicate
the
decision
to
the
public
and
discuss
how
the
public's
input
influenced
the
final
decision.

a.
Actions:
1)
Review
and
use
the
information:
Agency
officials
should
briefly
and
clearly
document
consideration
of
the
public's
views
in
responsiveness
summaries,
regulatory
preambles,
environmental
impact
statements
or
other
appropriate
documents.
This
should
occur
at
key
decision
points.
Unless
inappropriate
or
otherwise
required
by
law
or
regulations,
each
responsiveness
summary
(
or
similar
document)
should:
C
Describe
briefly
the
action
that
EPA
initially
proposed
and
why
EPA
determined
such
an
action
was
needed
C
Include
a
statement
of
the
action
that
EPA
took
C
Explain
briefly
the
public
involvement
activity
that
EPA
conducted
C
Identify
generally
those
who
participated
and
their
affiliation
(
either
individually
or
as
groups
C
Describe
the
matters
on
which
EPA
consulted
with
the
public
C
Summarize
the
public's
views,
important
comments,
criticisms
and
suggestions
C
Explain
the
Agency's
reason
for
the
decision
C
Indicate
the
effect
the
public's
comments
had
on
that
action
C
When
feasible,
provide
the
Agency's
specific
responses
to
each
comment
or
group
of
comments;
otherwise,
discuss
specific
responses
to
significant
issues
raised
in
the
comments.
These
responses
should
discuss
how
the
comments
resulted
in
modification
of
the
proposed
action
or
explain
why
the
Agency
did
not
accept
proposals
that
the
public
made
(
2)
Provide
feedback
to
the
public:
The
Agency
should
provide
feedback
to
participants
and
interested
parties
about
the
outcome
of
the
public's
involvement.
Some
statutes
and
regulations
contain
requirements
for
responding
to
comments
EPA
receives
on
actions
such
as
rules,
permits
and
cleanup
plans.

The
public
can
typically
submit
comments
to
EPA
electronically,
by
mail,
by
facsimile
or
through
hand
delivery/
courier.
The
Agency's
preferred
method
for
receiving
comments
is
use
of
EPA's
electronic
public
docket
and
comment
system,
EDOCKET,
to
submit
comments
to
EPA
electronically.
EPA
officials
should
encourage
members
of
the
public
to
use
EDOCKET
to
submit
comments,
because
it
will
facilitate
quicker
access
to
comments
for
both
the
public
and
EPA
staff.
20
In
addition
to
carefully
considering
the
public
comments
received,
Agency
officials
traditionally
include
a
summary
of
those
comments
with
a
summary
of
the
Agency's
responses
to
them,
in
the
preamble
of
the
Federal
Register
document
or
as
a
separate
document
available
in
the
docket.
This
traditional
method,
however,
does
not
always
ensure
that
those
who
have
participated
in
a
decision­
making
process
are
made
aware
of
or
have
access
to,
the
Agency's
feedback.
Therefore,
in
addition
to
the
minimum
statutory
or
regulatory
requirements,
Agency
staff
should
explore,
and
use
whenever
feasible,
other
feedback
methods
such
as
publishing
the
response
on
a
website
or
publishing
it
or
a
notice
of
its
availability
in
widely
read
publications.
Where
resources
allow,
EPA
should
mail
or
e­
mail
a
copy
of
the
response
or
information
on
how
to
easily
obtain
the
response
to
those
who
participated
in
the
public
involvement
processes,
those
who
submitted
comments
and
others
on
the
contact
list.
The
Agency
can
use
press
briefings
and
news
releases
where
the
number
of
commenters
is
so
large
that
individual
contact
is
not
practical
(
for
example,
where
mass
mailings
have
been
received
in
response
to
a
proposed
nationwide
rule).
In
appropriate
cases,
direct
feedback
can
be
provided
in
public
meetings;
if
so,
the
feedback
should
be
documented
(
and
care
should
be
taken
to
avoid
the
appearance
of
reopening
the
decision
process).
Appropriate
feedback
techniques
will
vary
greatly
depending
upon
the
circumstances,
but
the
goal
is
to
ensure
that
those
who
contributed
significantly
to
the
process
receive
a
response
that
tells
them
how
EPA
used
their
input.

7.
Evaluate
public
involvement
activities.
Goal:
To
evaluate
the
effectiveness
of
this
Policy
and
of
public
involvement
activities.

a.
Actions:
Agency
officials
should
evaluate
and
measure,
on
a
continuing
basis,
both
the
effectiveness
of
the
Policy
to
improve
public
involvement
in
regulatory
and
nonregulatory
processes,
and
the
effectiveness
of
public
involvement
activities.

b.
Methods:
Agency
officials
should
routinely
use
surveys,
interviews,
focus
groups
and
other
tools
to
evaluate
whether
public
involvement
practices
are
performed
appropriately
and
have
the
intended
effects
(
subject
to
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act).
Agency
officials
also
should
conduct
periodic
broad­
based
Agency­
wide
evaluations
to
determine
whether
implementing
this
Policy
improves
the
quality
of
public
involvement
and
environmental
decisions.

Who
manages
the
application
of
this
Policy?

Responsibilities
Relating
to
the
Public
Involvement
Policy:

1.
Administrator:
Provides
leadership
and
direction
to
EPA
headquarters
and
regions
for
all
EPA
public
involvement
programs.

2.
Assistant
Administrators
and
Associate
Administrators:
Provide
leadership
and
direction
for
their
managers
and
staff
by:

°
Ensuring
that
effective
public
involvement
is
a
cornerstone
of
all
decisions,
activities,
plans
and
pilots,
and
fully
complies
with
all
applicable
legal
requirements
°
Encouraging
effective
public
involvement
by
providing
their
staff
and
managers
guidance,
technical
assistance,
resources,
training
and
incentives,
as
appropriate
21
°
Encouraging
broad­
based
stakeholder
participation,
including
drawing
on
the
expertise
and
networks
available
in
the
EPA
offices
responsible
for
public
affairs
and
communications
with
state,
local
and
tribal
governments.
°
As
appropriate,
providing
guidance,
assistance
and
resources
to
regions
to
conduct
public
involvement,
and
to
the
affected
public
to
ensure
its
input
°
Evaluating
the
effectiveness
of
public
involvement
processes
and
taking
action
to
improve
them
3.
Regional
Administrators:
Provide
leadership
for
their
program
managers
and
staff
by:
°
Ensuring
that
effective
public
involvement
is
a
cornerstone
of
all
decisions,
activities,
plans
and
pilots,
and
fully
complies
with
all
applicable
legal
requirements
°
Encouraging
effective
public
involvement
by
providing
staff
guidance,
technical
assistance,
resources,
training
and
incentives,
as
appropriate
°
Encouraging
broad­
based
stakeholder
participation,
including
drawing
on
the
expertise
and
networks
available
through
their
public
and
intergovernmental
affairs
offices,
regional
tribal
assistance
programs,
and
the
Headquarters
tribal
office
°
Evaluating
the
effectiveness
of
public
involvement
processes
and
taking
action
to
improve
them
°
Working
with
authorized,
approved
or
delegated
program
participants
to
improve
public
involvement
on
those
programs
and
EPA
activities
°
As
appropriate,
providing
technical
or
financial
assistance
to
individuals
or
organizations
to
support
effective
public
involvement.

4.
Associate
Administrator,
Office
of
Public
Affairs:
Develops
and
supports
Agency
public
involvement
activities
by:
C
Assisting
EPA
headquarters
and
regional
programs
to
identify
interested
and
affected
members
of
the
public
C
Supporting
the
headquarters
and
regional
programs
in
developing,
reviewing
and
distributing
outreach
materials
to
inform
and
educate
the
public
about
Agency
programs,
issues
and
public
involvement
opportunities,
including
specialized
distribution
to
targeted
audiences.
C
Encouraging,
developing
and
supporting
Agency
strategic
communications
plans
to
include
effective
public
awareness
and
public
involvement
activities
5.
Associate
Administrator,
Office
of
Congressional
and
Intergovernmental
Relations:
Assists
program
offices
by:
C
Identifying
state
and
local
officials,
both
elected
and
appointed,
to
engage
in
public
involvement
activities
C
Suggesting
appropriate
ways
to
reach
these
stakeholders
6.
Associate
Administrator,
Office
of
Policy,
Economics
and
Innovation:
Assists
headquarters
and
regional
programs
by:
C
Providing
tools
and
advice
that
lead
to
meaningful
public
involvement
by
supporting
regulatory
and
nonregulatory
actions,
community
based
environmental
protection
work,
efforts
to
involve
small
businesses
and
small
communities,
and
work
relating
to
smart
growth,
innovative
voluntary
programs,
economic
analysis
and
evaluation
C
Providing
tools
to
assist
in
implementing
the
Public
Involvement
Policy
22
Headquarters
and
Regions:

C
Identify
activities,
plans
and
decisions
where
public
involvement
is
appropriate
C
Include
adequate
time
and
resources
for
effective
public
involvement
in
plans,
activities
and
policies
C
Help
each
other
implement
public
involvement
activities
C
Implement
the
public
involvement
and
public
information
portions
of
approved
program
plans
C
Evaluate
the
effectiveness
and
appropriateness
of
public
involvement
expenditures
C
Evaluate
and
improve
the
effectiveness
of
public
involvement
activities
C
Encourage
the
coordination
of
public
involvement
activities
C
Consider
funding
demonstration
projects
that
promote
improved
public
involvement
practices
C
Provide
technical
assistance
for
EPA
public
involvement
activities
C
Provide
public
involvement
funding,
as
appropriate
and
available,
to
appropriate
outside
interest
groups
and
stakeholders
in
a
manner
that
ensures
efficient
and
cost
effective
public
involvement
process
improvements
C
Provide
guidance,
technical
assistance
and
training,
as
appropriate,
to
support
public
involvement
activities
for
authorized,
approved
and
delegated
programs
of
state,
tribal
and
local
governments
C
Develop
guidance
and
training
to
ensure
that
program
office
and
regional
staff
and
managers
can
perform
public
involvement
activities
effectively
C
Provide
incentives
to
Agency
staff
to
ensure
commitment
to/
competence
in
implementing
public
involvement
C
Ensure
that
applicable
legal
requirements
associated
with
public
involvement
are
adhered
to,
such
as
the
Federal
Advisory
Committee
Act,
the
Paperwork
Reduction
Act,
the
Freedom
of
Information
Act,
the
Regulatory
Flexibility
Act
and
the
Privacy
Act
Headquarters:

1.
Seek
public
involvement
in
decisions
that
modify
or
develop
major
national
policies
2.
Incorporate
public
involvement
when
amending
regulations,
where
appropriate
3.
Consult
with
OCIR
to
identify
state
and
local
officials,
organizations
and
forums
that
may
be
appropriate
for
involvement
in
specific
activities
identified
by
this
Policy
4.
Consult
with
AIEO
to
identify
appropriate
ways
to
engage
tribes
where
tribal
people
and
lands
may
be
affected
Regions:

5.
Work
closely
with
state,
tribal
and
local
governments
to
encourage,
coordinate
and
improve
public
involvement
activities
in
7.
Deputy
Administrators,
Deputy
Regional
Administrators,
Office
and
Division
Directors
and
other
appropriate
supervisors:
Ensure
that
they
adequately
support
and
recognize
the
public
involvement
efforts
of
their
staff.

Responsibilities
for
Implementing
Public
Involvement
Appendix
2:
Definitions
"
Affected
parties,"
are
stakeholders
who
are
or
may
be
impacted
by
EPA
decisions.

"
Alternative
(
means
of)
Dispute
Resolution"
is
"
any
procedure
that
is
used
to
resolve
issues
in
controversy,
including
but
not
limited
to
conciliation,
facilitation,
mediation,
fact
finding,
minitrials,
arbitration,
use
of
ombuds
or
any
combination
thereof."
5
U.
S.
C.
571(
3)
23
"
Fair
treatment"
as
defined
on
EPA's
environmental
justice
web
page
[
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
compliance/
environmentaljustice/
index.
html],
means
that
no
group
of
people,
including
a
racial,
ethnic,
or
a
socioeconomic
group,
should
bear
a
disproportionate
share
of
the
negative
environmental
consequences
resulting
from
industrial,
municipal,
and
commercial
operations
or
the
execution
of
federal,
state,
local,
and
tribal
programs
and
policies.

"
Meaningful
involvement"
(
See
[
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
compliance/
environmentaljustice
/
index.
html])
means
that:
(
1)
potentially
affected
community
residents
have
an
appropriate
opportunity
to
participate
in
decisions
about
a
proposed
activity
that
will
affect
their
environment
and/
or
health;
(
2)
the
public's
contribution
can
influence
the
regulatory
agency's
decision;
(
3)
the
concerns
of
all
participants
involved
will
be
considered
in
the
decision­
making
process;
and
(
4)
the
decision
makers
seek
out
and
facilitate
the
involvement
of
those
potentially
affected.

The
term
"
the
public"
is
used
in
the
Policy
in
the
broadest
sense,
meaning
the
general
population
of
the
United
States.
Many
segments
of
"
the
public"
may
have
a
particular
interest
or
may
be
affected
by
Agency
programs
and
decisions.
In
addition
to
private
individuals,
"
the
public"
includes,
but
is
not
limited
to,
representatives
of
consumer,
environmental
and
other
advocacy
groups;
environmental
justice
groups;
indigenous
peoples;
minority
and
ethnic
groups;
business
and
industrial
interests,
including
small
businesses;
elected
and
appointed
public
officials;
the
news
media;
trade,
industrial,
agricultural,
and
labor
organizations;
public
health,
scientific,
and
professional
representatives
and
societies;
civic
and
community
associations;
faith­
based
organizations;
and
research,
university,
education,
and
governmental
organizations
and
associations.

A
"
Significant
information
product"
uses
national
or
regional
data
to
describe
environmental
conditions,
trends,
and/
or
the
performance
of
companies,
facilities,
and
communities.
(
See
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
ipbpages)

"
Stakeholders"
are
representatives
from
organizations
or
interest
groups
who
have
a
strong
interest
in
the
Agency's
work
and
policies.

"
Timely
information"
means
distributing
information
sufficiently
far
in
advance
so
the
interested
public
has
enough
time
to
review
relevant
material,
decide
whether
to
become
involved,
and
make
plans
for
that
involvement.
Timely
applies
to
the
availability
of
background
information
on
particular
issues,
as
well
as
notification
of
public
meetings,
public
comment
periods
or
other
critical
involvement
activities.

"
Tribe"
means
an
Indian
or
Alaska
Native
tribe,
band,
nation,
pueblo,
village
or
community
that
the
Secretary
of
the
Interior
acknowledges
to
exist
as
an
Indian
tribe
pursuant
to
the
Federally
Recognized
Indian
Tribe
List
Act
of
1994
(
25
U.
S.
C.
479a).

Appendix
3:
Examples
of
EPA's
Public
Involvement
Regulations
The
following
citations
to
EPA
regulations
are
intended
to
provide
examples
of
current
EPA
regulations
that
contain
public
involvement
procedures
for
specific
programs.
This
is
not
an
exhaustive
list,
but
it
contains
a
good
cross
section
of
administrative
regulations,
procedures
and
decision
process
requirements
for
public
involvement.
Numerous
EPA
rules,
regulations,
policies
and
procedures
contain
such
requirements.
24
°
40
CFR
Part
2
­
Freedom
of
Information
Act
°
40
CFR
Part
6
­
Procedures
for
Implementing
the
Requirements
of
the
Council
on
Environmental
Quality
of
the
National
Environmental
Policy
Act
°
40
CFR
Part
25
­
Public
Participation
in
Programs
under
the
Resource
Conservation
and
Recovery
Act,
the
Safe
Drinking
Water
Act,
and
the
Clean
Water
Act
°
40
CFR
Part
51
­
Requirements
for
Preparation,
Adoption,
and
Submittal
of
Implementation
Plans
(
under
the
Clean
Air
Act)

°
40
CFR
Part
124
­
Procedures
for
Decisionmaking
(
EPA
procedures
for
issuing,
modifying,
revoking
and
reissuing
or
terminating
all
RCRA,
UIC,
PSD,
and
NPDES
permits)

°
40
CFR
Part
154­
Special
Review
Procedures
(
procedures
to
assist
the
Agency
in
determining
whether
to
initiate
procedures
to
cancel,
deny
or
reclassify
registration
of
a
pesticide
product
because
uses
of
that
product
may
cause
unreasonable
adverse
effects
on
the
environment)

°
40
CFR
Part
164
­
Rules
of
Practice
Governing
Hearings,
Under
the
Federal
Insecticide,
Fungicide,
and
Rodenticide
Act,
arising
from
Refusals
to
Register,
Cancellations
of
Registrations,
Changes
of
Classifications,
Suspensions
of
Registrations
and
other
Hearings
Called
Pursuant
to
Section
6
of
the
Act
°
40
CFR
Part
173
­
Procedures
Governing
the
Rescission
of
State
Primary
Enforcement
Responsibility
for
Pesticide
Use
Violations
°
40
CFR
Part
271
­
Requirements
for
Authorization
of
State
Hazardous
Waste
Programs
°
40
CFR
Part
300
­
National
Oil
and
Hazardous
Substances
Pollution
Contingency
Plan,
Subpart
E
­
Hazardous
Substance
Response
(
establishes
methods
and
criteria
for
determining
the
appropriate
extent
of
response
authorized
by
CERCLA
and
CWA
section
311(
c))

°
40
CFR
Part
300
­
National
Oil
and
Hazardous
Substances
Pollution
Contingency
Plan,
Subpart
I
­
Administrative
Record
for
Selection
of
Response
Action
°
40
CFR
Part
790
­
Procedures
Governing
Testing
Consent
Agreements
and
Test
Rules
(
Procedures
for
gathering
information,
conducting
negotiations,
and
developing
and
implementing
test
rules
or
consent
agreements
on
chemical
substances
under
section
4
of
the
Toxic
Substances
Control)

Appendix
4:
Advisory
Committees
When
the
Agency
seeks
to
obtain
advice
or
recommendations
from
a
group
that
includes
one
or
more
individuals
who
are
not
federal
government
employees,
the
Agency
should
determine
whether
the
Federal
Advisory
Committee
Act
(
FACA),
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
applies.
If
it
does,
meetings
of
the
group
must
comply
with
FACA
requirements.
FACA
requires,
among
other
things,
that
such
groups
be
chartered,
have
a
balanced
membership,
hold
open
meetings
and
make
written
materials
available
to
the
public.
EPA
staff
should
consult
with
the
Office
of
General
25
Counsel
or
the
Office
of
Regional
Counsel
to
determine
whether
FACA
applies,
and
with
the
Committee
Management
Officer
in
the
Office
of
Cooperative
Environmental
Management
(
OCEM)
for
guidance
on
complying
with
the
FACA
requirements.
OCEM's
website
provides
useful
information
and
guidance
on
FACA.
((
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
ocem/
committees.
htm)

The
primary
function
of
an
advisory
group
is
to
provide
advice
and
recommendations
to
federal
officials.
Advisory
groups
also
can
provide
a
forum
for
addressing
issues,
promoting
constructive
dialogue
among
the
various
interests
represented
on
the
group,
and
enhancing
community
understanding
of
the
Agency's
action.
FACA
committees
address
a
wide
variety
of
issues,
including
policy
development,
project
alternatives,
financial
assistance
applications,
work
plans,
major
contracts,
interagency
agreements,
and
budget
submissions.

A.
Requirements
for
Federal
EPA
Advisory
Committees:
The
FACA
requirements
include:
°
Charter.
EPA
must
develop
a
charter
for
each
advisory
committee,
consult
with
GSA
regarding
the
charter,
and
file
it
with
Congress.
The
Charter
must
contain
several
specific
elements,
including
the
committee's
official
designation,
the
objectives
and
the
scope
of
its
activities,
the
period
of
time
necessary
for
the
committee
to
carry
out
its
objectives,
the
agency
or
official
to
whom
the
committee
reports,
the
agency
responsible
for
providing
the
necessary
support
for
the
committee,
and
a
description
of
the
duties
for
which
the
committee
is
responsible.
The
charter
must
be
renewed
every
two
years.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
9.
°
The
Establishment
Federal
Register
Notice.
At
least
15
calendar
days
before
the
charter
for
a
new
committee
is
filed
with
Congress,
EPA
must
publish
a
notice
of
establishment
in
the
Federal
Register.
This
notice
describes
the
nature
and
purpose
of
the
committee,
the
agency's
plan
to
attain
fairly
balanced
membership,
and
a
statement
that
the
committee
is
necessary
and
in
the
public
interest.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
9.
°
Balanced
Membership.
Advisory
committees
must
be"
fairly
balanced''
in
the
points
of
view
represented.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
5.
°
The
Meeting
Federal
Register
Notice.
EPA
must
publish
a
notice
in
the
Federal
Register
of
each
advisory
committee
meeting
at
least
15
calendar
days
prior
to
the
meeting.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
10.
°
Open
Meetings.
Interested
persons
may
attend
any
advisory
committee
meeting
(
unless
the
meeting
is
closed)
and
appear
before
and/
or
file
written
statements
with
any
advisory
committee.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
10.
°
Minutes.
Detailed
minutes
must
be
kept
of
all
advisory
committee
meetings.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
10.
°
DFO
Attendance.
A
Designated
Federal
Official
(
DFO)
must
attend
each
advisory
committee
meeting
and
approve
the
agenda.
The
DFO
must
be
a
full­
time
federal
employee.
The
DFO
is
authorized
to
adjourn
meetings
when
it
is
in
the
public
interest
to
do
so.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
10.
°
Closed
Meetings.
Meetings
may
be
closed
only
in
accordance
with
the
exceptions
set
out
in
the
Government
in
the
Sunshine
Act
(
5
U.
S.
C.
552b(
c)).
To
close
a
meeting
to
the
public,
the
DFO
must
obtain
the
approval
of
both
the
Administrator
and
the
General
Counsel.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
°
Availability
of
Documents.
Subject
to
the
FOIA
exemptions,
all
documents
provided
to
or
created
by
or
prepared
for
an
advisory
committee
must
be
provided
to
the
public
on
request.
5
U.
S.
C.
App.
2,
sec.
10.
26
In
instances
where
regulations,
program
guidance
or
the
public
involvement
plans
of
state
or
local
agencies,
call
for
advisory
groups,
such
groups
should
follow
applicable
state
and
local
laws.
27
The
following
addendum
is
not
part
of
the
Policy.
It
contains
information
that
may
be
useful
to
EPA
staff
and
the
public.

Addendum
1:
Selected
Tools
to
Support
Public
Involvement
Community
Culture
and
the
Environment:
A
Guide
to
Understanding
a
Sense
of
Place
(
EPA
842­
B­
01­
003,
January
2003)
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
ecocommunity/
pdf/
ccecomplete.
pdf
Environmental
Justice
in
EPA
Permitting:
Reducing
Risk
in
High­
Risk
Communities
is
Integral
with
the
Agency's
Mission,
National
Academy
of
Public
Administration,
December,
2001
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
compliance/
resources/
publications/
ej/
napa­
epa­
permitting.
pdf
RCRA
Public
Involvement
Manual
(
EPA530­
R­
96­
007,
September
1996)
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
epaoswer/
hazwaste/
permit/
pubpart/
manual.
htm
Guide
on
Consultation
and
Collaboration
with
Indian
Tribal
Governments
and
the
Public
Participation
of
Indigenous
Groups
and
Tribal
Citizens,
National
Environmental
Justice
Advisory
Committee,
Indigenous
Peoples
Subcommittee,
November,
2000
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
compliance/
resources/
publications/
ej/
ips
consultation
guide.
pdf
How
to
Participate
in
EPA
Decision­
Making
(
63
FR
58038,
October,
1998)
Resource
Guide
for
Resolving
Conflicts
in
Communities
(
EPA/
360­
F­
00­
001,
May
2001)
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
adr/
Resguide.
pdf
Information
Products
Bulletin:
see
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
ipbpages
Libraries
at
EPA:
see
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
natlibra/
libraries.
htm
Model
Plan
for
Public
Participation
(
EPA/
300­
K­
96­
003,
November
1996)
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
compliance/
resources/
publications/
ej/
model_
public_
part_
plan.
pdf
Office
of
Cooperative
Environmental
Management
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
ocem
Public
Involvement
Web
site:
see
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement
Public
Involvement
in
Environmental
Permits:
A
Reference
Guide
(
EPA599­
R00­
007,
August
2000)
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
permits/
publicguide.
htm
RCRA
Public
Involvement
Manual
(
EPA
530­
R­
96­
007,
September
1996)
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
epaoswer/
hazwaste/
permit/
pubpart/
manual.
htm
Regulations
and
Proposed
Rules
Web
site:
see
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
opei/
regulatory.
htm
Small
Business
Gateway
Web
site:
see
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
smallbusiness/

Social
Aspects
of
Siting
RCRA
Hazardous
Waste
Facilities
(
EPA/
530
 
K­
00­
005,
April,
2000)
www.
epa.
gov/
epaoswer/
hazwaste/
tsds/
site/
k00005.
pdf
28
Strategic
Information
Plan:
A
Framework
for
the
Future
(
July
29,
2002):
see
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
oei/
collecting.
htm
Public
Involvement
Techniques
for
Transportation
Decision­
making,
US
Department
of
Transportation,
Federal
Highway
Administration,
Federal
Transit
Administration
(
FHWA­
PD­
96
­
031HEP­
30/
9­
96/(
4M)
QE,
September
1996)
http://
www.
fhwa.
dot.
gov//////
reports/
pittd/
contents.
htm
29
The
following
addendum
is
not
part
of
the
Policy.
It
contains
information
that
may
be
of
interest
to
EPA
staff
and
the
public.

Addendum
2:
Summary
of
Response
to
Comments
EPA
received
202
public
comments
on
the
draft
policy.
Comments
came
from
26
state
agencies,
12
local
governments,
17
environmental
organizations,
82
citizens,
5
industrial
interests,
5
agricultural
interests,
and
many
others.

The
most
frequent
comments
request
that
EPA:
°
Improve
how
it
plans
and
conducts
public
meetings
°
Clarify
the
roles
of
state
and
local
governments
in
EPA's
decisions
and
clarify
how
the
policy
affects
state
public
involvement
activities
°
Ensure
that
public
input
influences
EPA's
decisions,
and
that
EPA
provides
feedback
to
participants
or
commenters
°
Use
specific
enhanced
methods
for
conducting
outreach
to
the
public
°
Affirm
its
commitment
to
early
and
meaningful
public
involvement
°
Implement
the
policy
and
hold
staff
and
managers
accountable
for
public
involvement
°
Increase
and
improve
its
use
of
electronic
communication
methods
°
Put
more
emphasis
on
evaluation
°
Reference
good
EPA
resources
for
staff
and
managers
to
use
°
Relate
public
involvement
to
EPA's
mission
EPA
made
many
changes
to
the
Policy
and
its
presentation
to
accommodate
the
comments.
The
most
significant
changes
were:
°
Clarifying
the
roles
of
state,
tribal
and
local
governments
°
Clearly
stating
the
Policy
applies
only
to
EPA
°
Expanding
and
clarifying
Step
5
­
"
Conduct
public
consultation
and
involvement
activities"
to
include
suggestions
for
when
to
use
which
techniques
°
Adding
a
list
of
public
involvement
tools
(
Addendum
1)
°
Adding
a
seventh
step
on
Evaluation
°
Expanding
the
section
"
Who
is
responsible
for
managing
the
application
of
this
Policy?"
to
include
additional
officials
and
levels
of
authority
°
Including
a
prominent
statement
of
EPA's
mission
°
Stating
the
relationship
of
public
involvement
to
environmental
justice
°
Including
a
summary
of
the
Policy
at
the
beginning
°
Placing
response
to
comments
information
in
an
addendum
to
the
Policy
°
Editing
to
maximize
clarity
and
minimize
redundancy
°
Moving
most
definitions
to
an
appendix
°
Revising
the
Advisory
Committees
appendix
to
match
the
latest
FACA
revisions
°
Eliminating
most
of
the
statutes,
regulations
and
Executive
Orders,
and
listing
only
the
key
statutes
as
an
appendix
°
Recognizing
resource
constraints
in
several
places
°
Adding
information
about
those
portions
of
the
Privacy
Act
that
relate
to
contact
lists
°
Adding
information
about
the
EDOCKET
30
The
Policy
has
been
modified
to
address
these
comments.
The
"
Framework
for
Implementing
EPA's
Public
Involvement
Policy"
and
materials
in
development
for
distribution
to
staff
and
managers
will
also
respond
to
many
of
the
comments.

EPA's
Response
to
Comments
on
the
Draft
2000
Public
Involvement
Policy"
is
available
on
the
Internet
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement.
Printed
copies
are
also
available
by
request
to:
USEPA/
OPEI/
OEPI
Mail
Code
1807T,
Public
Involvement
Staff,
1200
Pennsylvania
Avenue,
NW,
Washington,
DC
20460.

The
public
input
received
through
EPA's
Internet­
based
"
Dialogue
on
Public
Involvement
in
EPA
Decisions"
helped
to
inform
the
Implementation
Plan.
EPA
convened
a
10­
day
Internet­
based
Dialogue
in
July
2001
through
which
1,166
participants
suggested
how
EPA
could
improve
public
involvement
and
identified
areas
of
needed
improvement.
Many
of
the
suggestions
parallel
the
ideas
expressed
in
formal
public
comments.
(
See
Dialogue
messages
at
http://
www.
networkdemocracy
org/
epa­
pip.)
Participants
suggested
ways
that
EPA
could
improve
in
the
following
areas:
<
Identifying
members
of
the
public
who
should
be
invited
to
participate
<
Providing
technical
and
financial
assistance
to
assist
the
public's
participation
<
Effectively
using
collaborative
processes
(
through
advisory
committees
or
other
participatory
practices)
<
Evaluating
EPA's
public
involvement
activities
and
making
EPA
accountable
<
Conducting
effective
public
involvement
for
local
site­
specific
decisions
<
Providing
outreach
to
the
public
in
effective
ways
<
Making
necessary
information
and
documents
available
to
the
public
<
Improving
the
public
involvement
process
for
permits
and
rules
<
Working
with
states,
tribes
and
local
governments
31
Published
Federal
Register
material
not
duplicated
in
the
Public
Involvement
Policy,
its
Appendices
and
Addenda
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
AGENCY
6560­
50
OA­
2003­
0005:
FRL­
7508­
7
Public
Involvement
Policy
AGENCY:
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(
EPA)

ACTION:
Notice
of
New
Public
Involvement
Policy
SUMMARY:
The
EPA
is
issuing
its
new
Public
Involvement
Policy.
The
purpose
of
today's
Notice
is
to
advise
the
public
and
present
the
Policy.
The
new
Policy
provides
guidance
to
EPA
staff
on
effective
and
reasonable
means
to
involve
the
public
in
EPA's
regulatory
and
program
implementation
decisions.
The
core
of
the
Policy
is
the
recommended
seven
basic
steps
for
effective
public
involvement,
which
the
Agency
should
consider
when
making
major
decisions
on
rules,
policies
and
program
implementation
activities.
The
Policy
is
directed
internally,
but
EPA's
partners
in
states,
tribes
or
local
governments
may
also
find
it
to
be
a
useful
tool
for
them.

FOR
FURTHER
INFORMATION
CONTACT:
Patricia
Bonner,
Environmental
Protection
Agency,
1200
Pennsylvania
Avenue,
N.
W.
Washington,
DC
20460­
0001;
202­
566­
2204;
bonner.
patricia@
epa.
gov.
For
printed
copies,
telephone
202­
566­
2216.

SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION:
How
Can
I
Get
Copies
of
This
Document
and
Other
Related
Information?

1.
Docket.
EPA
has
established
an
official
public
docket
for
this
action
under
docket
identification
(
ID)
number
OA­
2003­
0005.
The
official
public
docket
consists
of
the
complete
Public
Involvement
Policy
with
its
appendices
and
addenda,
public
comments
on
the
1981
and
draft
2000
Policy,
the
Agency's
Response
to
Comments
and
the
Framework
for
Implementing
EPA's
Public
Involvement
Policy.
The
official
public
docket
is
the
collection
of
materials
that
is
available
for
public
viewing
at
the
Office
of
Environmental
Information
Docket,
EPA
Docket
Center,
(
EPA/
DC)
EPA
West,
Room
B102,
1301
Constitution
Ave.,
NW,
Washington,
DC.
The
EPA
Docket
Center
Public
Reading
Room
is
open
from
8:
30
a.
m.
to
4:
30
p.
m.,
Monday
through
Friday,
excluding
legal
holidays.
The
telephone
number
for
the
Reading
Room
is
(
202)
566­
1744.

2.
Electronic
Access.
You
may
access
this
Federal
Register
document
electronically
through
the
EPA
Internet
under
the
"
Federal
Register"
listings
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
fedrgstr/
or
use
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement
to
access
the
Policy
and
all
its
attachments.
Electronic
versions
of
items
in
the
public
docket
are
available
through
EPA's
electronic
public
docket
and
comment
system,
EPA
Dockets
(
EDOCKET).
You
may
use
EDOCKET
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
edocket/
to
access
the
index
listing
of
the
contents
of
the
official
public
docket
and
documents
that
are
available
electronically.
Once
in
the
system,
select
"
search,"
then
key
in
32
the
appropriate
docket
ID
number.
You
may
still
access
any
of
the
publicly
available
docket
materials
through
the
EPA
Docket
Center.

BACKGROUND
On
January
19,
1981,
the
Environmental
Protection
Agency
(
EPA)
published
its
first
Agency­
wide
Public
Participation
Policy
(
46
FR
5736,
Jan.
19,
1981).
In
November
1999,
the
EPA
requested
public
comment
on
whether
and
how
to
change
that
Policy,
and
subsequently
began
a
process
to
revise
the
policy
and
create
a
plan
to
implement
it
across
the
Agency.
In
December
2000,
EPA
released
a
draft
revised
Public
Involvement
Policy
for
public
comment
(
65
FR
82335,
Dec.
28,
2000).
The
comment
period
closed
on
July
31,
2001,
following
a
two­
week
internet­
based
dialogue
on
"
Public
Involvement
in
EPA
Decisions,"
which
included
1,144
participants
from
all
50
states.

OVERVIEW
OF
EPA's
NEW
PUBLIC
INVOLVEMENT
POLICY
The
Policy's
core
elements
are
the
following
seven
basic
steps
for
effective
public
involvement:
1.
Plan
and
budget
for
public
involvement
activities
2.
Identify
the
interested
and
affected
public
3.
Consider
providing
technical
or
financial
assistance
to
the
public
to
facilitate
involvement
4.
Provide
information
and
outreach
to
the
public
5.
Conduct
public
consultation
and
involvement
activities
6.
Review
and
use
input,
and
provide
feedback
to
the
public
7.
Evaluate
public
involvement
activities
This
Policy
is
meant
to
encourage
development
of
new
tools
for
public
involvement
and
should
not
limit
the
degree
or
types
of
public
involvement
already
in
use
at
EPA.
Agency
guidance,
which
EPA
is
issuing
simultaneously
with
this
Policy,
provides
specific
recommendations
for
accomplishing
each
of
these
seven
steps,
while
also
acknowledging
the
need
for
EPA
officials
to
use
discretion
when
planning
and
implementing
public
involvement
activities.

The
Policy
reflects
changes
over
the
past
22
years
such
as:
°
New
and
expanded
public
participation
techniques
°
New
options
for
public
involvement
through
the
Internet
°
EPA's
emphasis
on
assuring
compliance
°
Increased
use
of
partnerships
and
technical
assistance
°
Increased
public
access
to
information
°
Increased
capacity
of
States,
Tribes
and
local
governments
to
carry
out
delegated
programs
The
Policy
also
reflects
EPA's
experience
with
public
involvement
from
the
national
to
the
local
level,
and
incorporates
many
ideas
provided
to
EPA
through
public
comments
on
the
draft
Policy.
Today's
Notice
is
limited
to
this
brief
introduction
and
the
core
policy
statement.
Concurrent
with
this
Notice,
EPA
is
also
issuing
the
following
supporting
documents
to
facilitate
and
promote
support
the
Policy's
implementation:

Appendix
1­
"
Guidance
for
Implementing
Public
Involvement
at
EPA"
[
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement/
policy2003/
guidance.
pdf.]
33
Appendix
2
­
Definitions
that
are
integral
to
this
Policy
Appendix
3
­
Examples
of
EPA's
Public
Involvement
Regulations
Appendix
4
­
Federal
Advisory
Committees
Addendum
1
­
Selected
tools
the
Agency
has
developed
since
1981
to
assist
EPA
staff
and
regulatory
partners
in
conducting
public
involvement
and
consultation
Addendum
2
­
Summary
of
comments
and
EPA's
responses.

Two
additional
documents
may
be
of
interest.
The
Agency's
complete
"
Response
to
Comments
on
EPA's
Draft
2000
Public
Involvement
Policy"
is
available
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement/
responsetocomments.
pdf
and
the
"
Framework
for
Implementing
EPA's
Public
Involvement
Policy"
is
available
at
http://
www.
epa.
gov/
publicinvolvement/
framework.
pdf.
(
All
documents
referenced
in
the
Policy
are
also
available
upon
request
to
Public
Involvement
Staff,
USEPA/
OPEI/
OEPI/
PPCD
Mail
Code
1807T,
1200
Pennsylvania
Ave.,
NW,
Washington,
D.
C.
20460.)

The
goal
of
this
Policy
is
to
improve
the
effectiveness
of
EPA's
public
involvement
activities,
ensure
well­
informed
decisions,
and
encourage
innovative
methods
for
involving
the
public.
As
EPA
implements
the
Policy,
the
Agency
plans
to
share
its
experiences
with
states,
tribes,
local
governments
and
other
partners
and
interested
parties.

Date:

May
29,
2003
Christine
Todd
Whitman
Administrator.
