DTSC managers and staff members believe the best decisions are made with a fully informed and involved public. Our approach is unique in that we involve the affected or interested communities on the community's terms.
Our outreach is as informal as possible, conducted at times and locations that are convenient to the community, and in appropriate languages. We use information that is understandable and accessible to the public. Also, our process emphasizes early and continuing public involvement throughout the process.
Accountability is important. DTSC staff and managers regularly participate in outreach efforts to ensure there is an understanding of community issues at all levels of the department.
During the past several years, DTSC has been a leader in implementing environmental justice principles at the project level, conducting project-specific community assessments to determine the information needs. These assessments typically result in DTSC providing translation and interpretation services, placing information in publications that address the different cultures within a community, and providing outreach at times and places that fit the cultural makeup of the community.
In addition, at each "listed" site, a Community Advisory Group (CAG) may be established by the affected community to review any response action and comment on the response action to be conducted in that community. DTSC shall assist in the formation of a CAG when 50 or more affected residents sign a petition or the legislative body for a community adopts a resolution.
