Commiiniiy AdvisoRy Groups

DESCRipTioN

Community Advisory Group (CAG) is a term EPA uses to define a committee, task force, or
board comprised of residents affected by a hazardous waste site. CAGs enhance public
participation in the cleanup process by providing a public forum where representatives of
diverse community interests can discuss their concerns and learn from each other.

Groups similar to CAGs are supported by other agencies. The U.S. Department of
Defense's (DoD) Restoration Advisory Boards are an expansion of DoD's Technical Review
Committee concept. The boards, formed at operating and closing installations and Formerly
Used Defense Sites, provide a forum for exchange of information and partnership among
citizens, the installation, EPA, and the State. The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Site
Specific Advisory Boards involve stakeholders at DOE sites more directly in cleanup deci-
sions. The boards provide input and recommendations on environmental restoration, waste
management, and technology development activities. Membership in the boards includes
interested stakeholders from local governments, Native American tribes, environmental and
civic groups, labor organizations, universities, industry, and other interested parties. The
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) Community Assistance
Panels provide a mechanism for citizen participation in its public health assessment and
consultation programs related to federal and non-federal hazardous waste sites. Panels are
comprised of persons living and working near the sites and other interested parties.

See Federal
Agencies.
Tab 16

RequIrecJ Adiviiy?

No.

IVlAkiNq ii WoRk

Since the formation of Community Advisory Groups is encouraged and facilitated by EPA, this
section focuses on CAGs.

WMen to Use

CAGs may not be appropriate for every Superfund or other hazardous waste site. CAGs are
particularly useful at sites with significant environmental justice concerns or diverse commu-
nity perspectives. By encouraging the formation of a CAG, EPA can empower the community
to present and discuss its concerns and views with EPA and other relevant agencies.

Activities involving CAGs are targeted at fulfilling the expectations of Congress and the public
for more efficient cleanups and for making future land use decisions that are responsive to
community needs. Through these groups, the sponsoring agencies can provide communities
with access to the decision-making process that goes beyond traditional community involve-
ment programs.

How to Use

The Agency has developed the Community Advisory Group Toolkit for EPA Staff. The
Toolkit contains information, advice, camera-ready materials, and other tools designed to
assist CICs and other EPA personnel in working with CAGs. A similar Community Advisory
Group Toolkit, designed for use by the community, also has been developed. While the
Community Advisory Group Toolkit for EPA Staff was designed for use with CAGs, much
of the toolkit may be used in other programs and authorities. In addition to Toolkits, EPA has
issued Community Advisory Groups: Partners in Decisions at Hazardous Waste Sites

Last Updated:

September 2002

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CoMMUNiiy AdvisoRy Groups

(EPA 540-R-96-043), which presents case studies and lessons learned in implementing
Community Advisory Groups at five sites; and Superfund Today: Focus on the Community
Advisory Group Program (EPA 540-K-96-005).

ExAMpl.ES

The Community Advisory Group Toolkit contains materials—including sample mission
statements, a guide for developing operating procedures, information on how to incorporate,
tips on how to find additional funding, and many other useful items—that CICs can give to the
communities interested in forming a Community Advisory Group. The Community Advisory
Group Toolkit for EPA .S7a// contains a camera-ready copy of all these materials, so CICs
can reproduce them as needed. Electronic copies also are available, offering CICs the oppor-
tunity to adapt material to suit the needs of community groups in their Regions.

The Community Advisory Group Toolkit for EPA Staff contains several materials, devel-
oped specifically for CIC use. These include:

® Overhead transparencies and accompanying script notes for a presentation, called "Com-
munity Advisory Group: Your Voice in EPA Decisions," which explains the Community
Advisory Group concept and how a CAG can help citizens participate more fully in the
decision-making process.

• "Visioning: A Tool for Community Advisory Groups," which is a brief explanation of the
visioning process and how it may be used by CICs to assist CAGs in resolving site
cleanup and sustainable development issues.

® "Helping Community Advisory Groups To Incorporate," which is a list of appropriate
contacts in each state for use by CICs to assist their CAGs in obtaining materials required
for incorporation.

® Guidance for Community Advisory Groups at Superfund Sites (EPA 540-K-96-001),
which contains EPA guidance on CAGs.

® Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) at Superfund Sites: A Quick Reference Fact
Sheet (EPA 540-F-96-016). A Spanish-language version of this fact sheet, called Grupos
de Consulta de la Comunidad (CAGs) en Sitios del Superfondo (EPA 540-F-97-031),
is also available.

ReLatecJ TooLs/Resources iN tNe TooLkii

® Public Meetings. Tab 32

® Technical Assistance for Communities. Tab 41

OuTsidE Sources of InFormatIon

® Copies of the Community Advisory Group Toolkit for EPA Staff may be obtained by
contacting CIOC at (703) 603-9929.

® Electronic versions of the Community Advisory Group Toolkit and About the Commu-
nity Advisory Group Toolkit, a 16-page guide to the Toolkit, are available at
www.epa.gov/superfund/tools/cag/resource.htm.

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