Public participation and environmental justice: Involving the public at two Superfund sites

Abstract

A case study is used to assess the public involvement strategies used by the Environmental Protection Agency and in particular how these efforts affect implementation of its environmental justice responsibilities, and further the goals of Executive Order 12898. Restoration Advisory Boards (RABs) at two Superfund sites in EPA's Region 9--Tucson International Airport Area and Moffett Naval Air Station--are used as a basis for comparison with critical elements of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council's Model Plan for Public Participation. Although some aspects of the model's critical elements are satisfied, some changes in approach are necessary to reach and involve broader public interests at the two sites. At the site where environmental justice is an issue, the goals of EPA's Environmental Justice Strategy are partially satisfied through the RAB and other agency activities, but efforts are limited by a traditional participatory approach and lack of community influence in decision-making.