Using the Internet to Facilitate Citizen Participation in Environmental Decision-Making

1. Using the Internet to Facilitate Citizen Participation in Environmental Decision-Making R. Sullivan, P. Richmond, T. Kotek Environmental Science Division October 26, 2006

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Typical Programs Have Limited Geographic Scope, Don’t Reach Many Stakeholders, Don’t Inform/Involve Fully Meetings can be very effective, but… • 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.

6. 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

7. Argonne Experience with Internet-based Public Involvement Includes Eight EISs

8. 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

9. 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

10. “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

11. “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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. For More Information Bob Sullivan 630-252-6182 sullivan@anl.gov Argonne Environmental Science Division http://web.evs.anl.gov