Community Involvement Plan: Area IV, Santa Susana Field Laboratory

As a result of the 2007 ruling by the U.S. District Court of Northern California that the DOE must prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate alternatives for cleanup of Area IV of the SSFL, DOE has implemented major changes in its management of SSFL Area IV. As an initial step, this community involvement plan (CIP) outlines a series of activities and programs that intend to engage the public, establish transparency in DOE actions and decisions, and increase input from the community. This CIP is the foundation for the DOE’s SSFL Area IV comprehensive communication and engagement strategy for public involvement activities. DOE anticipates this strategy will draw upon community experience and wisdom in conducting the scientific studies, risk assessment activities, and the Environmental Impact Statement for Remediation of Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL Area IV EIS). DOE expects that successful execution of this plan for community involvement will ensure that the results of the risk assessment studies and completion of the SSFL Area IV EIS will lead to a cleanup that protects the workers, the public and the integrity of the environment. This plan will facilitate the integration of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements with other planning and environmental review requirements by state and federal law. It also builds upon DOE’s efforts with the public for meaningful dialogue about environmental matters, which include public participation, community and environmental group involvement, agency accessibility, proactive media relations, and grassroots relationship building.