RE: Ways EPA can partner with local government?

[Helen P. Villasor <helen.villasor@srs.gov>]

This is an interesting question. One of the successful ways that I have witnessed is the partnering of EPA with a local citizens advisory board.  As ex-officio members of the board, EPA representatives from Region IV attend regularly scheduled board meetings and provide not only agency updates, but also support to help a 25 diverse member group generate concise, clear, useful and relative recommendations to a federal agency committed to a mission of cleanup.  They offer support and advice on well-defined but confusing regulatory requirements as they pertain to regulating hazardous waste from the time it is generated until its ultimate disposal (i.e., "cradle to grave") management approach.  In cooperation with the board, they continuously respond to keen stakeholder participation on many of these regulatory challenges.  Perhaps other regions can consdier doing likewise.