Involving Impacted Community

[Connie Tucker <socejp@igc.org>]

We have found that advisory council's created by EPA or other governmental agencies at local, state and federal levels rarely represent the interest of the impacted community.  Only organizations that evolve out of the community with community support are authentic  representatives of impacted community voices.  When a community needs multi-stakeholder involvement, the community should be the driving force for the establishment of such organs.  We have seen major divisions created in communities when governmental agencies or corporations establish so called advisory boards or councils.

Effective participation by the impacted community is directly related to resources: independent technical experts and testing, ability to attend workshops and other fora on environmental and environmental justice concerns, resources for a steady flow of information to impacted residents and the like.

I am very concerned about statements made by an EPA Community Outreach person, Spencer at 14:53, 

"...Especially in minority communities, they don't understand a whole lot about the environment.  I am presently trying to seek ways to get minority/EJ communities first educated about the environment (basics, like conserving water, energy, etc. things that concern their everyday living.) second, introduce the site that may surround their area."

This statement is absurd, minority communities are no less informed about the environment than any poor or working class community.  In fact some communities and tribes that rely on the land and water to subsidize their food are more educated.  The last thing we need is instruction on conservation, our limited incomes require conservation and recycling in our every day lives.  If this is the approach by community out reach folks at EPA, no wonder you have problems getting people involved.  Don't soft peddle the problem, if a community is adversely impacted by a site, they need to know right a way.  Community based organizations are essential to identify and get the community involved.  EPA has to work with community supported organizations if you really want involvement.