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DEP Enhanced Public Participation Policy

The Pennsylvania Enhanced Public Participation Process

Under the guidance of the Environmental Justice Advisory Work Group, DEP developed the EJ Enhanced Public Participation Policy (PDF). The policy was created to ensure that EJ communities have the opportunity to participate and be involved in a meaningful manner throughout the permitting process when companies propose permitted facilities in their neighborhood or when existing facilities expand their operations. Appendix A of the policy includes a list of permits which trigger the EJ Enhanced Public Participation Policy.

Policy Highlights

Community Outreach

  • DEP strongly encourages applicants to meet with community stakeholders. Therefore, DEP notifies the applicant early in the process when a permit application meets the criteria for EJ, and, when appropriate, provides assistance to the applicant with outreach initiatives. 
  • DEP produces and distributes plain language information sheets regarding the proposed activity.
  • DEP provides stakeholders with information regarding proposed permit conditions and, when needed, offers clarification to help make project details more apparent.

Public Information

  • DEP encourages the use of electronic, conventional and non-conventional methods of spreading information to community members.
  • Public Notices are written in terminology easily understood by the majority of readers within the EJ area.
  • Notices are placed in publications widely read by the community in those areas, and placed locally in areas of high visibility. Examples of effective vehicles for notification include, but are not limited to local newspapers, community newsletters, church bulletins, public service announcements and notices on local radio and television stations, notices posted in areas of high foot traffic, notices to local environmental groups, and notices to local community centers.
  • Applicants are encouraged to mail all the appropriate information about the project to those in an EJ area.

Public Meetings

  • Pre-application meetings: As part of the enhanced public participation strategy, DEP strongly encourages potential applicants to meet with community stakeholders prior to submitting an application to the department. The department, if invited, attends this meeting and answers any community questions related to the permit review process. Within the time of a pre-application meeting and the actual submission of the application, the department develops the public participation strategy outlined above. If the department is not aware of the pre-application meeting, or the applicant does not hold a pre-application meeting, the public participation strategy should be developed within 30 days of the application being deemed as warranting enhanced participation.
  • Informational meetings: DEP, in coordination with the applicant, schedules an informational meeting within 30 days of receipt of the application. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the residents of the scope and nature of the project in a timely, interactive manner. This meeting is in addition to any other currently required public meetings and/or hearings.
  • Applicants’ role: Applicants are encouraged to fully participate in the meeting, and may take the lead in setting up and conducting the meeting. It benefits everyone when the meeting takes place as early in the process as possible. EJ Advocates are available to advise or to help applicants advertise the meeting to the local community, particularly those who are closer to the facility.

Summary of Application

  • DEP should provide a plain language summary of the application that explains the project in terms understandable to the majority of readers within an EJ area. View a plain language sample summary here. This summary should address the purpose and location of the proposed activity or facility, and anticipated impacts. These summaries can also be used in other aspects of public outreach.
  • Document Availability
    • Access to relevant information is vital to meaningful participation. DEP’s efforts to ensure participation include:
      • Identification of convenient locations where the public can review applications
      • Additional support on how to locate materials in a file
      • If needed, extended hours for file review or reviews by appointment, including evenings and weekends.