CSO: Public Participation

Transcription

1 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection CSO: Public Participation Julie Krause Division of Water Quality Fall

2 Welcome Public Participation can be an asset for your LTCP development. Build on existing work. DEP is committed to helping you with your Public Participation efforts. 2

3 Benefits of Public Participation An ASSET to the LTCP development process Assists in obtaining positive feedback from community members regarding rates TWO-Way Communication is key Builds relationships and trust More knowledge of sewershed Location of issues such as localized flooding and sewer backups Input to inform solutions Input on prioritizing alternatives Assistance with implementation Acceptance of project outcome 3

4 2. Public Participation Process a. The permittee shall submit the public participation process report to include appropriate input and participation with other hydraulically connected communities, in accordance with D.3.a and G.10. The permittees may use information from the previous submittals, such as: b. Implementation shall actively involve the affected public throughout each of the 3 Steps of the LTCP process. The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons. A Public Participation Process Report shall include the following elements: i. Conduct outreach to inform the affected/interested public (during the development of the permittee s LTCP) through various methods which may include: public meetings, direct mailers, billing inserts, newsletters, press releases to the media, postings of information on the permittee s website, hotline, development of advisory committees, etc.; and to ii. Invite members of the affected/interested public to join a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff, consultants and/or contractors as required in Part IV, Section G.2.c. of the permit. c. The permittee shall invite members of the affected/interested public to establish a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff from Section F.1 and to work as an informal work group as a liaison between the general public and the decision makers for the permittee. The goals of the Supplemental CSO Team could consist of the following elements: i. Meet periodically to assist in the sharing of information, and to provide input to the planning process; ii. Review the proposed nature and extent of data and information to be collected during LTCP development; iii. Provide input for consideration in the evaluation of CSO control alternatives; and iv.provide input for consideration in the selection of those CSO controls that will cost effectively meet the Clean Water Act requirements. 4

5 2. Public Participation Process a. The permittee shall SUBMIT THE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS REPORT to include appropriate input and participation with other hydraulically connected communities, in accordance with D.3.a and G.10. The permittees may use information from the previous submittals, such as: b. Implementation shall actively involve the affected public throughout each of the 3 Steps of the LTCP process. The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons. A Public Participation Process Report shall include the following elements: i. Conduct outreach to inform the affected/interested public (during the development of the permittee s LTCP) through various methods which may include: public meetings, direct mailers, billing inserts, newsletters, press releases to the media, postings of information on the permittee s website, hotline, development of advisory committees, etc.; and to ii. Invite members of the affected/interested public to join a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff, consultants and/or contractors as required in Part IV, Section G.2.c. of the permit. 5

6 Planning for Successful Public Participation Sets Goals Uses a variety of methods to engage the Public Involves TWO-WAY communication Effective Communication Translating Complex Issues Clear and Concise Messaging Public Presentation Face-to-Face Communication Active Listening EPA guidance on Public Participation 6

7 Leverage Existing Groups What community groups already exist that may be interested or impacted by CSOs? What municipal or county entities may be impacted or provide input to LTCP development and CSOs? 7

8 2. Public Participation Process a. The permittee shall submit the Public Participation Process Report to include appropriate input and participation with other HYDRAULICALLY CONNECTED COMMUNITIES, in accordance with D.3.a and G.10. The permittees may use information from the previous submittals, such as: b. Implementation shall actively involve the affected public throughout each of the 3 Steps of the LTCP process. The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons. A Public Participation Plan shall include the following elements: i. Conduct outreach to inform the affected/interested public (during the development of the permittee s LTCP) through various methods which may include: public meetings, direct mailers, billing inserts, newsletters, press releases to the media, postings of information on the permittee s website, hotline, development of advisory committees, etc.; and to ii. Invite members of the affected/interested public to join a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff, consultants and/or contractors as required in Part IV, Section G.2.c. of the permit. 8

9 Hydraulically connected All hydraulically connected communities, including those that are served by the STP but are non-cso communities. Why? Because Hydraulically connected communities may be part of the solution (example reduction of I/I) Hydraulically connected communities may see future rates changes due to CSO solutions. Different methods of outreach may be appropriate for the varying communities within the STP service jurisdiction as well as different between CSO and Non- CSO municipalities. 9

10 2. Public Participation Process a. The permittee shall submit the Public Participation Process Report to include appropriate input and participation with other hydraulically connected communities, in accordance with D.3.a and G.10. The permittees may use information from the previous submittals, such as: b. Implementation shall ACTIVELY INVOLVE the affected public throughout each of the 3 Steps of the LTCP process. The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons. A Public Participation Process Report shall include the following elements: i. Conduct outreach to inform the affected/interested public (during the development of the permittee s LTCP) through various methods including: public meetings, direct mailers, billing inserts, newsletters, press releases to the media, postings of information on the permittee s website, hotline, development of advisory committees, etc.; and to ii. Invite members of the affected/interested public to join a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff, consultants and/or contractors as required in Part IV, Section G.2.c. of the permit. 10

11 Actively Involve 2- WAY COMMUNICATION Consulted and included in the decision making process Examples of input on: Priorities Evaluation of Alternatives Implementation Schedule Citizen Power Power-Sharing Consult 2 Consult 1 Citizens act without communicating with government Citizens and government solve problems together Government asks citizens for meaningful input and intends to listen Government asks citizens for limited input and would prefer not to listen Inform Government talks; citizens listen Government Power Government acts without communicating with citizens 11

12 2. Public Participation Process a. The permittee shall submit the Public Participation Process Report to include appropriate input and participation with other hydraulically connected communities, in accordance with D.3.a and G.10. The permittees may use information from the previous submittals, such as: b. Implementation shall actively involve the AFFECTED PUBLIC throughout each of the 3 Steps of the LTCP process. The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons. A Public Participation Process Report shall include the following elements: i. Conduct outreach to inform the affected/interested public (during the development of the permittee s LTCP) through various methods which may include: public meetings, direct mailers, billing inserts, newsletters, press releases to the media, postings of information on the permittee s website, hotline, development of advisory committees, etc.; and to ii. Invite members of the affected/interested public to join a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff, consultants and/or contractors as required in Part IV, Section G.2.c. of the permit. 12

13 Affected Public The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons In addition to the groups listed above, think about: Who has been involved before? Who else is impacted by the problem? Who else is impacted by the solutions? Who else can provide you with information? Whose support do you need to implement the solutions? Identify existing community groups 13

14 2. Public Participation Process a. The permittee shall submit the Public Participation Process Report to include appropriate input and participation with other hydraulically connected communities, in accordance with D.3.a and G.10. The permittees may use information from the previous submittals, such as: b. Implementation shall actively involve the affected public throughout each of the 3 Steps of the LTCP process. The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons. A Public Participation Process Report shall include the following elements: i. Conduct outreach to inform the affected/interested public (during the development of the permittee s LTCP) THROUGH VARIOUS METHODS which may include: public meetings, direct mailers, billing inserts, newsletters, press releases to the media, postings of information on the permittee s website, hotline, development of advisory committees, etc.; and to ii. Invite members of the affected/interested public to join a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff, consultants and/or contractors as required in Part IV, Section G.2.c. of the permit. 14

15 Examples of VARIOUS METHODS SHARING INFORMATION News Articles s Websites Info Kiosks Mailers/Inserts Posters Signs Panel Discussions COMPILE AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK Comment Forms Surveys In person, Mailed, Interviews BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER Fairs & Events Focus Groups Meetings with Existing Groups Open Houses Public Meetings 15

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24 2. Public Participation Process a. The permittee shall submit the Public Participation Plan to include appropriate input and participation with other hydraulically connected communities, in accordance with D.3.a and G.10. The permittees may use information from the previous submittals, such as: b. Implementation shall actively involve the affected public throughout each of the 3 STEPS OF THE LTCP PROCESS. The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons. A Public Participation Process Report shall include the following elements: i. Conduct outreach to inform the affected/interested public (during the development of the permittee s LTCP) through various methods which may include: public meetings, direct mailers, billing inserts, newsletters, press releases to the media, postings of information on the permittee s website, hotline, development of advisory committees, etc.; and to ii. Invite members of the affected/interested public to join a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff, consultants and/or contractors as required in Part IV, Section G.2.c. of the permit. 24

25 3 Steps of the LTCP 1. System Characterization System Characterization Work Plan System Characterization Report Public Participation Process Plan Consideration of Sensitive Areas Information 2. Development and Evaluation of Alternatives 3. Selection and Implementation of Alternatives 25

26 2. Public Participation Process a. The permittee shall submit the Public Participation Process Report to include appropriate input and participation with other hydraulically connected communities, in accordance with D.3.a and G.10. The permittees may use information from the previous submittals, such as: b. Implementation shall actively involve the affected public throughout each of the 3 Steps of the LTCP process. The affected public includes rate payers (including rate payers in the separate sewer sections), industrial users of the sewer system, persons who reside downstream from the CSOs, persons who use and enjoy the downstream waters, and any other interested persons. A Public Participation Process Report shall include the following elements: i. Conduct outreach to inform the affected/interested public (during the development of the permittee s LTCP) through various methods including: public meetings, direct mailers, billing inserts, newsletters, press releases to the media, postings of information on the permittee s website, hotline, development of advisory committees, etc.; and to ii. Invite members of the affected/interested public to join a Supplemental CSO Team to work with the permittee s assigned staff, consultants and/or contractors as required in Part IV, Section G.2.c. of the permit. c. The permittee shall invite members of the affected/interested public to ESTABLISH A SUPPLEMENTAL CSO TEAM to work with the permittee s assigned staff from Section F.1 and to work as an informal work group as a liaison between the general public and the decision makers for the permittee. The goals of the Supplemental CSO Team could consist of the following elements: i. Meet periodically to assist in the sharing of information, and to provide input to the planning process; ii. Review the proposed nature and extent of data and information to be collected during LTCP development; iii. Provide input for consideration in the evaluation of CSO control alternatives; and iv. Provide input for consideration in the selection of those CSO controls that will cost effectively meet the Clean Water Act requirements. 26

27 Supplemental Team Involvement What input is a supplemental team expected to provide: Community input regarding priority neighborhoods to address flooding Provide input on prioritizing potential alternatives for the LTCP Extent to which green infrastructure is desired Impact of the costs associated with CSO requirements What input is a supplemental team not expected to provide: Engineering analysis of alternatives Review of hydraulic studies or other technical permit aspects Review of ambient sampling network 27

28 Supplemental Team Example- Philadelphia s Advisory Committee for the CSO LTCP Academic and Research Organizations Citywide and Regional Groups Mayor s office, Local Boards and Councils Local Stakeholder Team Community Planning Organizations City Government Agencies Economic Organizations Environmental Organizations Business Building Industry Association Citizen Groups Northern Liberties Neighborhood Association Passyunk Square Neighbors Association Washington West Civic Association Interest Groups Community Legal Services, Inc. Delaware River City Corporation Impact Services Corporation PennFuture (Next Great City) Pennsylvania Environmental Council Tookany/Tacony-Frankford WatershedPartnership Schuylkill River Development Corporation Sierra Club Regulatory Agencies Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Local Government Agencies Fairmount Park Commission Mayor s Office of Sustainability Philadelphia Water Department 28

29 Supplemental Team Involvement of the supplemental team alone will NOT satisfy your Public Participation Requirements The supplemental team may or may not be all inclusive. Some members of the community may not be part of a group Some groups may not be represented on the team Ultimately, the permit requirements must be met which includes involvement outside of the supplemental team. 29

30 A Few Take Aways Select methods that are appropriate for the targeted audience s Leverage existing community groups Utilize other municipal efforts Taylor public participation to your community Implementation of the plan shall actively involve the affected public throughout each of the three steps of the LTCP process, SO That means NOW! JULIE.KRAUSE@DEP.NJ.GOV