RE: [CPEO-BIF] Isn't it time ... ?

["Walsh, William" <WALSHW@pepperlaw.com>]

Your thoughtful e-mail triggered three thoughts.

First, I ran into the head of a company which is involved in the sampling in
New Orleans.  At least according to him, there is a fairly substantial
effort to employ local residents to assist physically in the sampling.  He
also indicated that the local officials (the City Administration) is
involved in the sampling and is even requesting that some areas be sampled
based on community concern (rather than some statistical grid).

While this does not address the need for public meetings, it is something
that I, at least, have never seen in other environmental sampling efforts.

Second, I personally know nothing about what has or has not been done
regarding community meetings.  I agree that such community meetings and
other involvement is important.  I suspect that the conditions are just
beginning to allow such an effort.  This particular disaster is somewhat
unique in the community has been dispersed and, in many cases, will not be
able to attend  a traditional community meeting.  Before of the unique
qualities of this disaster, I suspect that EPA is attempting to figure how
to do hold such meetings.  

Third, If there are any suggestions or ideas (in addition to those listed in
Lennie's e-mail, on how to community, it might be useful to compile them and
send the suggestions to EPA formally.  For example, it might be possible to
use video conferencing or an Internet-seminar hook up that ties in shelters
to a central EPA and State presentation.  Someone would need to obtain,
install, and operate such an emergency communication system.   While this
might seem extraordinary, it seems to me that the same sort of back up
communication system would be need for a terrorist attack, so someone in the
federal, state and local levels should start implementing this.  The
simplest system would be to use the same technique that EPA uses for its
Internet-seminars.   All one would need do is put a computer or computers
with Internet access into the shelters to allow communication.  If you want
to be a bit fancier, you would tie the computer into a Giant screen like
they use at sports bars.  This may not be the state of the art
communication, but if it is good enough for Monday night football, it should
be good enough to communicate to local residents.

William J. Walsh
Pepper Hamilton LLP
600 Fourteenth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone:  (202) 220 -1424
Fax:  (202) 220-1665
e-mail:  walshw@pepperlaw.com





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> --- Begin Message ---
> Yesterday I posted the link http://www.epa.gov/katrina/activities.html
> to EPA's daily report on its response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
> The agency is doing a great deal: sampling water, testing air,
> distributing brochures about mold, etc. But something is missing from
> the reports, and since I haven't seen it mentioned elsewhere, I fear
> that it isn't happening.
>
> The environmental response appears to have no community involvement
> component.
>
> I could understand such an oversight (meaning shortcoming, in this case)
> in the first few days or weeks after Katrina made landfall, but isn't it
> about time to hold community meetings, set up advisory boards, and
> organize electronic bulletin boards to inform the affected public and
> invite comment?
>
> The people who live or lived in these communities deserve to understand
> what is going on. They need to understand the numbers that suggest that
> their homes, workplaces, or neighborhoods are hazardous or safe. They
> may have knowledge about the local environment that experts from across
> the country could use. And they probably have valuable perspectives
> about priorities, cleanup strategies, and plans for what should be
> rebuilt, and where.
>
> This is the role that members of affected communities play, everywhere
> government agencies take the time to give them a "seat at the table" at
> Brownfields, Superfund sites, or federal facilities. 
>
> To be sure, many Gulf Coast residents are doing their best just to
> survive. But many others appear to be in a holding pattern -
> figuratively treading water until they can return to their homes or
> jobs. I suspect that plenty of people are willing and able to
> participate in the environmental recovery of their communities.
>
> With vast numbers of people still far from home, it may take more than
> posting signs on telephone poles and store windows or placing ads in
> local newspapers. Officials may need to take the show on the road to
> centers where evacuees are still concentrated. 
>
> For many years, the Gulf Coast has had a vibrant environmental justice
> community. Those people are around, trying to be heard, if only
> officials would take time to listen.
>
> There is ample evidence that EPA and state regulatory agencies do their
> jobs best when the public is involved, early and often, and along the
> Gulf Coast momentous environmental decisions are being made now. Isn't
> it time to open up the process?
>
> Lenny Siegel
> -- 
>
>
> Lenny Siegel
> Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
> c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
> Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
> Fax: 650/961-8918
> <lsiegel@cpeo.org>
> http://www.cpeo.org
>
>
> --- End Message ---
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