RCRA Public Participation Manual - Tools

EPA-530-F-20-001 | https://www.epa.gov/rcra
Mailing Lists
A mailing list is a tool that contains contact information for interested parties.
It is usually in an electronic format, such as a database, and sorted in fields
by last name, title, organization, city, state, region, or special interest. Mailing
lists can serve as important databases and tools for communication with
the public. They typically include concerned community members; elected
officials; appropriate federal, state, local, and tribal government contacts; local
media; environmental groups; civic, religious, and community organizations;
facility employees; and local businesses. Consider whether an email iist
(listserv) also could be a useful way to disseminate information.
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Required activity?
Yes. Regulations under 40 CFR § 124.10(c)(lHix) outline the required public participation activities regarding mailing lists.
EPA's public participation guidelines for the RCRA corrective action program are detailed in Chapter 4 of the 2016 Edition
of the RCRA Public Participation Manual.
When to Use
Develop a mailing list as soon as possible during the pre-application phase or when the need for a RCRA Facility
Investigation is identified. The mailing list should be updated regularly, in particular at the beginning of corrective action
and permit modification procedures.
•	Search for people: Solicit names, addresses, and phone numbers; solicit email addresses, if creating a supplemental
listserv of individuals to be included on the list. This iist should include individuals who sign in at the pre-application
meeting, if applicable. Telephone numbers and email addresses can be useful for contacting individuals for community
interviews and with other outreach efforts.
•	Review background files: Review background files to ensure ail interested individuals are included.
•	Create a database: Use to easily categorize, sort, and print out mailing labels.
•	Develop a letter or fact sheet: Send a letter or fact sheet to the members of the mailing list.
•	Conduct periodic updates: Update the mailing list at least once per year to ensure accuracy. Mailing lists can be
updated by contacting each individual on the list and by using local telephone and city directories as references. The
permitting agency also can request written indication of continued interest from those on the list; consider creating a
mechanism, such as a website, for people to add or remove themselves from the mailing list.
Making It Work
How to Use
RCRA Public Participation Manual - Tools
Mailing Lists

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SEPA	RCRA Public Participation Manual - Tools
https://www.epa.gov/rcra
Checklist for Mailing Lists
~	Verify list format (e.g., name, title, company, email address, mailing address, phone number).
~	Decide on mailing list software.
~	Identify people to include, such as:
•	The facility owner/operator and facility employees.
•	Attendees of the pre-application meeting.
•	Elected officials (U.S. Senators; U.S. Representatives; city, county, state, and tribal officials).
•	Government employees and appointees (e.g., administrators, planning directors, committees, health departments,
environment departments).
•	Federal agency officials (EPA, Fish and Wildlife Service).
•	State agency officials (DEPs, Fish and Wildlife agencies, etc.).
•	Community members living adjacent to the facility.
•	Other interested community members.
•	Local media.
•	Local business associations.
•	Businesses possibly affected by the facility (e.g., located downwind of the facility).
•	Consultants working on the project or related projects.
•	Local environmental groups.
•	Other civic, religious, community, and educational groups (e.g., League of Women Voters, government associations,
churches, homeowners and renters associations).
~	Prepare the mailing list using information from sign-up sheets, background files, telephone directories, city directories,
online searches, or other methods, as appropriate.
RCRA Public Participation Manual - Tools
Mailing Lists

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