The Department of Environmental Protection is implementing a new policy that provides enhanced forums for meaningful participation by any and all of the parties involved in DEP permitting decisions and ensures an especially high level of involvement by residents interested in projects proposed for their communities.

The final "Policy on Public Participation in the Permit Application Review Process," attempts to ensure public involvement happens as early in the review process as possible --- prior to any major substantive review or resolution --- and establishes a design for participation events to ensure the public’s needs and interests are met.

The new policy establishes a framework for public participation in the permit application review process and applies to all permit or plan approval applications reviewed by DEP when there is a public comment process associated with that application.

It does not apply to Notices of Intent for coverage under a general permit or any permit by rule.

An important goal of the policy is designing and executing public participation events that give residents the information they need. At these events, DEP will present details of the permit review process for the specific application and address the timeline established for review and public participation. The applicant will present information regarding the specifics of the project, how it will meet the regulations or go beyond compliance, and its impacts to the community.

The public will be encouraged to participate, and DEP and the applicant, respectively, will answer questions according to their roles and the information they can provide. A trained facilitator will foster participation, keep the meeting focused and on time, and handle tension/conflict if it arises.

To ensure further effective involvement of the public, the new policy also sets up consistent guidelines for responding to comments received during the permit or application review process. These guidelines ensure that DEP responds appropriately and in a timely manner to all relevant comments.

The guidance also defines when additional public participation may be needed if a project changes substantially.

Nothing in the policies or procedures changes existing regulatory requirements. Instead, the procedures outlined in this new guidance are intended to supplement those requirements.

NewsClip: DEP Publishes New Public Participation Policy

7/15/2005