Community Involvement

EPA’s definition of environmental justice includes the concept of meaningful involvement. Meaningful involvement means that (1) potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public’s contribution can influence the regulatory agency’s decision; (3) the concerns of all participants involved will b e considered in the decision making process; and (4) the decision makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

EPA has adopted a public involvement policy and a wealth of materials on how to effectively seek out and facilitate the involvement of potentially affected communities. Additional information includes:

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EPA's 2003 public involvement policy

Manuals and other Tools for public involvement

10 How-to brochures on public involvement

EPA’s Public Involvement Page

Future Mechanisms to Enhance Stakeholder Involvement and Engagement to Address Environmental Justice (PDF) (26pp, 211k) (August 2006, developed by the National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee)

Model Plan for Public Participation developed by the National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (PDF) (20pp, 464k)

Community Guide to Air Permits for Existing Sources

Public Involvement Resources and Training Data Base

EPA publication warehouse

Community Involvement

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