Overview and Initiating the Environmental Impact Analysis and Assessment - Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods - page 127

scoping delayed the project for more than 10 years. There are many similar
examples of social scoping identifying, early in the process, local, sensitive,
environmental resources and receptors frequently unknown to the environ-
mental impact analysis team, which can be addressed as part of the overall
environmental analysis in an integrated fashion.
The primary target participants for this type of scoping include:
r Citizens living, working, or playing in the immediate area of the
proposed action. The neighbors abutting the site proposed for the
action are the most common example.
r Other stakeholders directly affected by the action. This could include
the labor pool for a proposed action generating jobs or institutions,
such as hospital or school, in the vicinity of the proposed action.
r Environmental or economic advocacy groups and organizations.
These can be at the local level, even organized in direct response to
the proposed action or on a national level depending on the nature
and size of the proposed action.
r Elected officials and citizen organizations. This would include neigh-
borhood associations, watershed associations, and elected officials
representing the geographic or interest areas potentially affected.
r Interest groups. Hunters, fishers, local historic organizations, and
enthusiasts of other hobbies fall into this category.
r Chambers of commerce, local businesses, and other business interests.
With such an extensive list of potential stakeholders, for a large, complex,
or controversial project, plan, or policy, the possible participation in scop-
ing could be overwhelming. In such situations it is not unusual to form
a representative citizens advisory committee (CAC). The CAC is typically
established by the project proponent, or if it is a nongovernmental project,
an agency with responsibility for approving the proposed action. In some
cases the local or state elected government official or body can form the
CAC, but this is generally done in collaboration with the project propo-
nent. To be effective a CAC must represent all interests and most, if not all,
members must have expressed some concern (either positive or negative)
over implementation of the proposed action as envisioned by the propo-
nent. But it is most important for members to demonstrate a willingness to
work cooperatively. For the concept of a CAC to work, the project propo-
nents must be genuinely willing and able to demonstrate their commitment
to offer the members something in return for their donation of time and
energy to the committee, which is most commonly an opportunity to influ-
ence the decision.
Social scoping generally provides the most input in the areas of potential
impact and concern, environmental setting, and occasionally alternatives for
consideration. Social scoping can be very productive at generating a list of