Beneficial Uses
of Dredged Materials
Fact Sheet: Public Involvement and Outreach
Informing and Involving the Public
The success of beneficial use dredging projects often depends on informing and involving those who feel a
project will affect them. Effective public involvement identifies and addresses issues of public concern to be
resolved before project implementation. Involving stakeholders can improve the quality of decisions about
the beneficial use of dredged material.
The public, represented by groups and individuals, have different levels of interest and concern about
beneficial use projects. Therefore, it is important for project sponsors to use a range of methods to inform
and involve the public. People participate when they believe a project may have a significant impact on
them. They may be motivated by the proximity of the project; by economic, social, or environmental
concerns; or by personal values. The concerned public will be different for each beneficial use project, and
interest may grow and change as a final decision approaches.
Planning
The best way to effectively involve the public is to develop a public involvement plan that includes active
participation by project managers. Managers' philosophical and financial commitment to public outreach is
essential from the outset.
In developing a public involvement plan, project sponsors and managers should know who will make key
project decisions and when these decisions will be made. The public should be informed and provided
the opportunity to be involved sufficiently in advance of these decision points so that any public input is
available to, and can be considered by, the decision maker. It is much wiser and more successful to involve
the public throughout the process in numerous smaller constituent decisions than to request public approval
on a final, complex decision. The public's participation may result in a design somewhat different from the
original plan, but it will be more likely to materialize into a successful project.
Think of the public as a circle with concentric rings. In the outer ring are people whose involvement will be
limited to receiving information about the project primarily through the media. As long as they are informed
and know how to make their views known, they will seek no greater involvement.
People interested in dedicating more time are in the next (second) ring of the circle (moving inward and
increasing in involvement). They may be members of civic, religious, or service groups, and can be reached
through one-on-one discussion and presentations to their organizations. Informing these people is important
because they, in turn, will inform others in the community. In general, individual and personal discussion is
extremely important to successful public involvement.
It is important to inform and work closely with elected officials, who are featured in the next (third) ring.
Public involvement enhances communication and establishes constructive relationships that foster wise
decisions.
Closer yet to the center of the public involvement circle are those directly affected by a project (ring four).
These people need and deserve extensive information. They may seek to participate in decision making.
People with this level of interest can be reached through direct mail, informal neighborhood meetings, and
possible participation on project coordinating committees.
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Beneficial Uses of Dredged Materials October 2007
Fact Sheet: Public Involvement and Outreach
Project decision makers are at the center (fifth ring) of the circle. Members of the public, particularly
representatives of groups with a stake in the outcome of the project, can help government staff make decisions
and guide project implementation. A local beneficial uses planning group could be the core group in which
other decision makers are included.
It is important to identify a community's concerns about a planned project through research and interviews.
This process is useful not only in understanding public opinion about a project but also in identifying "key
stakeholders." These are opinion leaders, representatives of important constituencies, elected officials, or
others who need to be involved in decision making.
Other Components
Work with the Media. Prepare news releases and press kits.
Neighborhood Forums and Public Meetings. Open house, neighborhood, or other informal and interactive
forum formats are preferable to formal public meetings, which tend to be impersonal and acrimonious.
If formal public meetings are required, they should validate and ratify decisions that have already been
carefully worked through in planning and negotiation with a thoroughly involved public.
Beneficial Use Groups, Local Planning Groups & Regional Dredging Teams. In some regions of the
country, agencies responsible for managing dredging have convened beneficial use groups, local planning
groups, regional dredging teams, or in some cases a combination of all these groups. These groups may be
able to provide the basis for the shared decision making at the center of the public involvement circle. Project
sponsors should consider involving representatives of the public in the activities of beneficial use groups.
Effective Public Involvement Helps Projects Succeed
It is essential that project sponsors make clear how public comment and participation will be used, and how
public involvement can make a difference in a project. Public participation can add value on several levels,
but it can only be successful if project managers are willing to consider the resulting input in their decision-
making process. Effective public involvement can be the best way to mobilize needed technical ideas,
financial resources, and public support for beneficial use projects.
Keys to Successful Public Involvement
To effectively involve the public, project proponents should:
• Involve the public from the outset. Go to the public; don't wait for the public to come to you.
• Identify and respond to issues of local concern.
• Understand the decision-making process and schedule to identify points of public access.
• Make clear how the public's input will be used.
• Use a variety of methods to inform and involve segments of the public with different levels
of interest.
• Involve representatives of the public in project decision making.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA842-F-07-001E
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers October 2007
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