Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
a broader perspective without the perception of bias. Also as described
in the Boston Harbor example above, a CAC member from the same or
similar project can discuss her/his perspective without the stigma of a
project proponent's bias.
r Information repositories. Local libraries, proponent's offices, or gov-
ernment agencies offices are useful and accessible locations to make
relevant documents available if Internet-based repositories alone are
not sufficient.
r Formation of ad hoc committees to address critical issues. These
groups typically are composed of a combination of proponent/envi-
ronmental analysis team members, citizens or other stakeholders,
and outside experts. Frequently there is an effort to populate the
committee with stakeholders of different perspectives on the ben-
efits of the proposed action (i.e., advocates and those in opposition).
They can even include a facilitator to keep order and formulate a
consensus position on the contentious issues.
r Independent consultants to the CAC or other stakeholder groups.
The proponent or an involved government agency can fund an inde-
pendent consultant, reporting to the CAC, to assist with review-
ing investigation results and other documents. This approach has
proven very successful as part of the Superfund program to clean up
hazardous waste sites in the United States, where the investigations,
science, and remedial alternatives can be very complicated and tech-
nologically complex.
Tools alone cannot produce a successful public outreach program that
benefits the environmental analysis and proposed action implementation.
Adapting the tools to the situation and the potentially affected public is a key
to success. Equally important is that all parties fully understand their role,
responsibility, and authority. More important is for each party to fulfill its
commitment and function in an open and honest manner.
4.5
Development and Preliminary Evaluation of Alternatives
Without the concept of alternatives integrated into the process, the environ-
mental impact analysis would only be documentation of the impacts, much
like documentation of damage in a postaccident report filed for an automo-
bile accident with no provisions for minimizing the damage. Presenting
alternatives and understanding the environmental implication of each alter-
native are necessary components for incorporating environmental consider-
ations into decision making and establishing mechanisms for environmental
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