Using the Internet to Facilitate Citizen Participation in Environmental Decision-

Making

R. Sullivan, P. Richmond, T. Kotek

Environmental Science Division

October 26, 2006

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Presentation Topics

Environmental impact statements (EISs) and current public participation practices

Internet-based public participation advantages

Argonne EIS Web site and e-mail applications

Results: Web site usage and Web-based commenting

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Federal Policy Requires EISs for Major Federal Actions

Federal agencies must evaluate effects of actions on environment and consider alternatives.

National Environmental Policy (NEPA) Act of 1969 requires EIS preparation for major federal actions with potential for significant environment impact.

The public must be informed, and must have the opportunity to participate in the EIS process.

Public must be allowed to comment on the EIS.

Argonne’s EVS Division prepares EISs for DOE and other agencies.

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Traditional EIS Public Participation Programs Rely Heavily on Public Meetings, Paper, and Patience

Public meetings typically held at beginning of project (scoping phase) and at draft EIS publication.

Meetings coincide with public comment periods – scoping and Draft EIS.

Hundreds or thousands of comments to process and respond to.

Numerous documents – Draft and Final EISs, Record of Decision, notices, meeting transcripts, comment documents, etc.

– EIS documents are very difficult to use, expensive to produce and ship.

Expensive and time-consuming, typically several years to complete EIS.

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Typical Programs Have Limited Geographic Scope, Don’t Reach Many Stakeholders, Don’t Inform/Involve Fully

Public meetings typically held at or near project location; stakeholders at remote locations cannot attend.

Many stakeholders miss meeting notices, or can’t attend meetings.

Meetings are one-shot opportunities for information/involvement.

Typically very long time between scoping and draft EIS meetings.

Meetings sometimes too short to be really informative.

Meetings can be very effective, but…

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Internet-Based Public Involvement Programs: Convenient, Easy, More Effective

Use of Web and E-mail in addition to (or in place of) meetings and other traditional approaches

Available regardless of location – people thousands of miles away can participate on an equal footing with locals

Internet available 24/7 – stakeholders can participate when convenient to them

Greater awareness – web links and e-mail can be used to make more people aware of EIS and participation opportunities

Continuity – not “one shot” – site can be revisited, reviewed, explored further – always available

More information provided – scientific and background information, glossary, EIS information, supporting documents

Instant information availability – maximizes participation

Searchable, manageable documents – via CD-ROM or download

Much lower cost per participant – maximize public participation budget

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Argonne Experience with Internet-based Public Involvement Includes Eight EISs

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Argonne EIS Web Sites Offer a Comprehensive Array of Features and Services

Background information (scientific)

Guide to EIS process

Impacts and alternatives addressed

Public participation opportunities

Public comment form

Searchable comments

EIS and related documents

News and calendar

Broadcast E-mail announcements

EIS newsletter

EIS document order form

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Scientific glossary

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Guide Section Presents Basic Scientific and Environmental Information

Describes affected resources and environment

Presents technical information on proposed actions

Targeted at general public, assumes no technical background or prior knowledge

Uses photos, maps, and diagrams to communicate key concepts

Provides links page for additional research

Neutral in tone; no advocacy

Typically most heavily used portion of Argonne EIS Web sites

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“About the EIS” Section Explains the NEPA Process, and Its Application to the EIS

Presents need for and scope of EIS

Explains the NEPA process in non-technical terms

Describes EIS content and alternatives considered

Lists affected resources to be addressed

Provides EIS schedule and key events

Provides information about sponsoring agency and preparers

Describes tribal consultation process

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“Getting Involved” Section Presents Public Involvement Opportunities and Web-Based Commenting

Tells how and when public can get involved in EIS process

Explains participation procedures and alternatives for commenting

Lists public meeting locations and times

Tells public how their comments will be used by EIS preparers

Provides access to online comment form

Provides search-based access to submitted comments

Provides links to meeting transcripts and comment summary documents

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Web-based Public Comment Form Provides Robust Commenting Capability

For scoping and draft EIS comments

Stores comments and demographic data in database for automated processing

Sends e-mail receipt to commenter with copies to webmaster and project manager

Allows attachment for word processing files of all major types, PDF, .txt, etc.

Allows control of personal information

Has option for Spanish language

Detailed instructions and help page

Most comments now received via Web

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Web-Based Commenting Provides Efficient Comment Handling

Comment and supporting information submitted via form directly to database

Electronic receipt to commenter, only after successful database insert

E-mail copy sent to project archive

No scanning or transcription

Reduced handling errors

Speeds comment processing, statistical analysis, and response

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Public Comments Are Available Online

Scoping and draft comment documents available in PDF format

Search by topic, state, commenting organization, commenter name, and/or comment number

View Web-based and print documents as submitted, oral comments as transcripts

Very popular feature; allows review of other stakeholders’ issues and opinions

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E-Mail Pushes Important Content to Stakeholders

E-mail addresses collected at public meetings and through Web site

E-mail used to announce meeting dates, comment periods, important publications, general news

Typically 500-1500 recipients

Provides list of targeted, high-interest stakeholders

Great for time-sensitive information, e.g. end of commenting period, change in meeting location

Increases Web traffic and prolongs participation in EIS process

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Results: Internet Use Has Greatly Expanded Reach of EIS Public Involvement Programs

Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride (DUF6)

– 400,000+ visitors overall

Trans-Alaska Pipeline System Renewal EIS

– 70,000 visitors overall

Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS

– 84,000 visitors overall

– 4,811 visitors during scoping

– 10,663 visitors during draft EIS comment period

– 97 draft comment docs submitted via Web (69%)

– 25,000+ document downloads

Three current EIS Web sites: 10,000 – 30,000 visitors each, prior to Draft EIS publication

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Conclusion: Internet-Based Public Participation Is the Wave of the Future

More effective– Expanded audience by orders of magnitude– Expanded geographic reach significantly– Better presentation of information– More convenient for public– More responsive– Better continuity

More efficient, more cost effective– Vast reduction in paper handling costs– More efficient comment processing– Better quality control

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For More Information

Bob Sullivan

630-252-6182

sullivan@anl.gov

Argonne Environmental Science Division http://web.evs.anl.gov