Guidance for Community Advisory Groups at Superfund Sites

As lead Agency at a Superfund site, EPA has an important role to play in encouraging the use of Community Advisory Groups (see Section 10.3, under "Roles and Responsibilities"). This guidance document is designed to assist EPA staff [primarily Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs) and Site Managers, such as Remedial Project Managers, On-Scene Coordinators, and Site Assessment Managers] in working with CAGs at Superfund sites (this includes remedial and appropriate removal sites. this guidance addresses the objectives, functions, membership, and scope of authority for CAGs. It emphasizes practical approaches and activities, and is designed to be flexible enough to meet the unique needs of individual local communities. The guidance is based on the Agency's experience in carrying out community involvement activities pursuant to the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), and policy documents issued by EPA and other Federal agencies. It also draws on concepts articulated in the President's Executive Order on Environmental Justice 12898, EPA/OSWER's Environmental Justice Task Force report, the "Restoration Advisory Board Implementation Guidelines" developed by the EPA and the Department of Defense (9/94), and the "Interim Guidance for Implementing Restoration Advisory Boards" drafted by the California Environmental Protection Agency (11/93). This guidance provides a number of considerations to assist Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs) and Site Managers in working with a successful CAG. CAGs need not conform to all aspects of this guidance. Consequently, this guidance is intended to provide a starting point or fram of reference to help groups organize and begin meeting. A CAG's structure and operation, however, should reflect the unique needs of its community.