Community Involvement Resources

Effective communication with the public regarding DoD’s cleanup activities is most impactful and comprehensive at the local level. Military installation representatives collaborate with the local communities to identify concerns and communication needs, and to develop a communication strategy that addresses concerns and public interest, as outlined in the installation’s Community Involvement Plan (CIP). Cleanup reports may be found or requested from an installation’s Information Repository, and the Administrative Record in some cases.

Community Involvement Plans

The Community Involvement Plan (CIP) outlines how an installation plans to communicate with the public during the cleanup process. The CIP documents community demographics, concerns of the affected residents and other stakeholders, and engagement strategies, including Restoration Advisory Board meetings, public meetings and Open Houses, websites and social media outreach. The CIP provides ways to not only get information out to the community, but also receive feedback from the community.

CIPs are updated periodically to reflect any demographic changes in the community or community concerns, as well as evolving outreach efforts.

For more information on the installation’s communication strategies, please contact the installation’s Public Affairs office or Environmental Office. The CIP is accessible to the public in the Administrative Record, which may be available online.

Restoration Advisory Board

A Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) is an advisory group made up of community members, regulators, and interest groups. RABs facilitate and improve communication, outreach, and transparency between DoD, the public, regulators, local governments, and interest groups for issues related to cleanup activities. RABs provide input and participate in the environmental cleanup process. A RAB is co-chaired by an Installation Representative and a Community Representative.

Aiming for community acceptance of final remedial actions, RABs are briefed on the project status, results of studies and investigations, and effectiveness of any implemented treatment systems. To ensure RAB members better understand the technical information presented at RAB meetings, DoD offers Technical Assistance for Public Participation (TAPP). RABs interested in applying for technical assistance can find resources and application guidelines in the TAPP section below or by reaching out to the local installation’s Environmental Office.

Technical Assistance for Public Participation

The Technical Assistance for Public Participation (TAPP) program provides Restoration Advisory Boards (RABs) with independent technical assistance to improve their understanding of the scientific and engineering issues underlying cleanup. RABs are focused and interactive forums to exchange information about an installation’s cleanup activities. RAB members represent the community and provide a community perspective and input to the installation decision makers. RAB members are often asked to comment on technical cleanup issues, but because of the technical nature of cleanup issues, RAB members may not have sufficient cleanup knowledge or experience to provide a helpful response to the installation. Assistance provided through TAPP can help RAB members better understand technical issues and options for remediation and enable RABs to more effectively articulate their concerns and preferences during the decision-making process.

The Office of the DASD (EM&R) has provided the following tools for RAB members to assist them in applying for technical assistance through TAPP.

Introduction to TAPP. This PowerPoint presentation describes how TAPP can help RABs by providing technical assistance for its members. The presentation covers how TAPP works, how it can help, and how RABs apply for assistance through the program.

TAPP Application (DD Form 2749). This form can be completed using Adobe Reader. (Don’t have Adobe Reader? Click here to download)

Step-by-step instructions for completing the TAPP application. This document describes how to fill out each section of the application.

Applying for TAPP. This PowerPoint presentation is a visual set of instructions for filling out each section of the application. It is similar to the step-by-step instructions above.