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Public Involvement Policy and Related Documents

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

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This page contains links to EPA's policies and requirements.

In 2003 EPA released its Public Involvement Policy, following three years of development, internal review and public discussion. The new Policy updates EPA's 1981 Public Participation Policy (PDF) (29 pp, 114K). The 1981 Policy evolved from EPA's 1979 regulations that included requirements for public participation.

EPA's Public Involvement Policy

Policy Documents
Related Documents

Requirements

The Policy provides guidance to EPA staff on effective and reasonable means to involve the public in EPA's regulatory and program implementation decisions. The core element of the Policy is the recommended seven basic steps for effective public involvement:

  1. Plan and budget
  2. Identify those to involve
  3. Consider providing assistance
  4. Provide information
  5. Conduct involvement
  6. Review and use input and provide feedback to the public
  7. Evaluate involvement.

The new Policy updates EPA's 1981 Public Participation Policy, recognizing:

Policy Documents Related Documents

Internet-based Dialogue on Public Involvement in EPA Decision Exit EPA disclaimer
EPA convened a National Internet-based Dialogue on Public Involvement in EPA Decisions July 10 - July 20, 2001. Information Renaissance hosted the event under contract to EPA. Over 1,100 people from 50 states, two territories and five other nations discussed the draft policy and shared their thoughts and concerns regarding how EPA should implement it.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation supported development of the references base and an evaluation by Resources for the Future, " Democracy Online: An Evaluation of the National Dialogue on Public Involvement in EPA Decisions Exit EPA disclaimer .

EPA's Draft 2000 Public Involvement Policy (PDF Format 11 pages) (December 28, 2000)
EPA's Draft 2000 Public Involvement Policy - Federal Register Notice and request for comments

The US Environmental Protection Agency issued a Draft Public Involvement Policy on December 28, 2000, and took comments through July 31, 2001. The original public comment period ended April 27, 2001, but was extended so that EPA could host an Internet-based public discussion on the draft Policy during July 10-20, 2001.

EPA's 1981 Policy on Participation (PFD Format 30 pages, 65KB)
This Policy provided guidance and direction to public officials who manage and conduct EPA programs on reasonable and effective means of involving the public in program decisions.

The Policy applied to programs under the Clean Air Act (Pub. L. 95-95), Quiet Communities Act (Pub. L. 95-609) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Pub. L. 94-580), Toxic Substances Control Act (Pub. L. 94-469), Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (Pub. L. 95-396) Safe Drinking Water Act (Pub. L. 95-190), and the Clean Water Act (Pub. L. 95- 217).

Public Comments on the 1981 Public Participation Policy (Nov-Dec 1999)

Requirements

Title 40 Part 25 of the CFR (PDF Format 10 pages, 38KB) -- Public Participation in Programs under The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Clean Water Act

This Regulation provides requirements and direction to public officials who manage and conduct EPA programs under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Pub. L. 94-580), Safe Drinking Water Act (Pub. L. 95-190), and the Clean Water Act (Pub. L. 95- 217) on reasonable and effective ways to involve the public in program decisions.


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