ODOT- Office of Environmental Services. How to ensure Public Involvement reaches the Right People.

ODOT- Office of Environmental Services

How to ensure Public Involvement reaches the “Right People”

White Male 30/40 yrs old Own home (5 acre lot min.) Own minimum of 3 vehicles (Hummers, of course)

Commute a minimum of 30 minutes each day to/from work

Must have 2.5 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat and a rodent of some kind!

People who live in and around project area

Businesses Institutions (schools, hospitals, etc.) Emergency Services/Law Enforcement Agencies (Resource/Regulatory) Transportation Leaders/System Owners (FHWA, FTA, FRA, FAA, MPO’s, etc.)

Transit dependent Low-income Ethnic groups/Minorities Physically challenged/Handicapped Youth/Elderly Renters Rural residents Traveling public

Consult with local gov’t staff to ID neighborhood and civic groups

Contact service groups/organizations◦Meals on Wheels, Goodwill Industries, etc.◦Schools, emergency services and realtors◦Churches, retirement homes, group homes

Consult with other transportation modes

Whose support is needed and why? Who are the community leaders that shape public opinion?

What groups’ involvement could impact the project’s success (i.e.- truckers, BBB, train, etc.)?

Invite your opposition to the table.

Who are your Communities “Gatekeepers”?◦Interested in Transportation issues◦Experienced with Transportation◦Knowledgeable about the community◦Interested in the project (impacted or use)

◦Respected as a community leader◦Can represent the community

Research the communityConsult with others in the areaReview public record of other meetings

The easy one… Lawsuits! Late changes to your process/project Cost increases/schedule delays Lost creditability

Reach out to the public in general…not just the ones in your comfort zone.

Serve the underserved. Identify those who can help shape public

opinion. Mistakes are costly, so as your dad has

probably told you a million times…. “Do it right the first time and you won’t have to do it over again - at twice the cost and twice the time!”