Superfund Community Involvement

National Information

The Superfund Program places a high value on public participation during investigation and cleanup of hazardous sites. EPA believes that the more communities are informed and involved in the decision-making process, the better. Not only does community involvement give the public the ability to influence how a site is cleaned up and how people are affected by the process, the collaboration produces a better end result for everyone, including the environment.

The Community Involvement staff located within the Superfund Division is the conduit between communities and technical staff working on Superfund and Federal Facilities projects. Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs) are assigned to specific projects to assist communities in their interaction with EPA and ensure that technical staff is aware of issues that concern the public in relation to the work EPA is doing. As liaisons between technical project managers and the community, CICs provide opportunities for two-way communication throughout the life of a project.

For regional information about EPA's Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program, please contact Rhonda Foucher (foucher.rhonda@epa.gov), (404) 562-8867.

REGION 4 SUPERFUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE 2010 ACCOMPLISHMENTS REPORT AVAILABLE

Each year, the Region4 Superfund Office of Public Affairs and Outreach provides an Accomplishments Report (PDF) ( PDF, 13 pp, 1MB) to summarize and highlight community outreach activities. If you have comments or questions, please contact the OSPAO Office Director, Freda Lockhart (lockhart.freda@epa.gov).

SUPERFUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE LAUNCHED IN REGION 4

Communities are directly affected by EPA's actions related to environmental emergencies, the cleanup of contaminated land and pollution,and the management of hazardous substances and waste. The Community Engagement Initiative (CEI) that originated out of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) required the Superfund Division to develop an Action Plan to ensure its implementation in Region 4. The CEI will enhance the Superfund Division's capacity to engage and prepare local communities and stakeholders to meaningfully participate in Superfund decision-making processes and provides an opportunity for the Superfund Division to refocus and renew its vision for community engagement. It will also build on the good practices already being utilized and help to apply them consistently in Superfund processes. More Information . . .

For more information about community involvement and the tools available to communities, click on the topics below.

Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC)
Technical assistance available to communities on issues dealing with contamination
Community Advisory Groups (CAGs)
Committees comprised of representatives of diverse community interests that meet regularly to discuss concerns about Superfund cleaups
Department of Energy (DOE) Site-Specific Advisory Boards (SSABs)
Provides advice and recommendations concerning the following EM site-specific issues: clean-up standards and environmental restoration; waste management and disposition; stabilization and disposition of non-stockpile nuclear materials; excess facilities; future land use and long term stewardship; risk assessment and management; and clean-up science and technology activities.

Additional Resources

EPA's National Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) Program Web Site
Funding for community groups near hazardous waste cleanup sites to hire environmental technical experts to explain and help comment on EPA's cleanup documents.
EPA's National Superfund Job Training Initiative Web Site
Supports environmental cleanup-related job training programs in communities affected by Superfund sites
EPA's National Public Involvement Web Site
Shares information about public involvement activities across EPA and helps people understand how different types of public involvement relate to EPA programs and how public input can be used in EPA decision-making processes

Contact Us

How to reach us:
Superfund Division
U.S. EPA, Region 4
61 Forsyth Street SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Toll-free: (800) 564-7577
Region 4 Community Involvement Coordinators