Public Involvement Guidelines and Tool Kit

Introduction

The responsibility for public involvement rests with WTD managers, project managers and staff, in other words with all WTD staff. WTD community relations planners, as part of a project team, are charged with guiding the development of public involvement strategies and tools to support successful implementation of WTD projects. These guidelines are designed to help WTD community relations planners develop and implement public involvement programs, with support from staff throughout WTD and external consultants and other external resources.

Public trust and acceptance are essential to the conveyance and treatment of wastewater. Public involvement professionals educate the public and work to create trust and support. Public involvement builds support for new programs, avoids entrenched opposition and supports policy decisions. It can help projects stay on time and within budget.

King County's Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is facing some major challenges. The WTD staff is planning and expanding the wastewater system to meet the needs of our growing region, looking for new and better ways to reuse byproducts and to protect the environment for people and fish, and working to improve productivity and cost effectiveness. Public involvement is essential to WTD's success. The goal of public involvement is to support successful implementation of WTD projects and programs.

Table of Contents

The following files require a PDF reader to view.

• Part I. Public Involvement Guidelines
• Part II. Public Involvement Tool Kit
• Part III. Additional Resources
• Construction Module
• Design Module

Part I. Public Involvement Guidelines, published Nov. 2002
Summary: These guidelines serve as both a map and a tool kit for designing and implementing public involvement programs in WTD. Each section of the guidelines describes an important step in the process of studying, planning and implementing public involvement, and each step builds on the ones that came before it.

• Contents
• Entire document (PDF). Covers the following topics:
  • Section 1 – Introduction
  • Section 2 – The Role of Public Involvement in the King County Wastewater Treatment Division
  • Section 3 – Implementing Public Involvement
  • Section 4 – Resources (Internal and External)
  • Section 5 – Evaluation
  • Section 6 – Information Management
  • Appendix A: Frederick Cove Case Study
  • Appendix B: Abbreviated Public Involvement Plant Template

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Part II. Public Involvement Tool Kit, published Nov. 2002
Summary: The Public Involvement Tool Kit defines the tools necessary to effectively design and implement public involvement for WTD projects and programs. While the guidelines explained the theory, regulations and strategy that drive public involvement, this tool kit provides the building blocks of a successful public involvement effort.

• Contents
• Entire document (PDF). Covers the following topics:
  • Printed materials
  • Signs
  • Online Communications
  • Public Information Distribution
  • Media
  • Advertisements
  • Public Meetings
  • Contact Information and Hotlines
  • Outreach to Individuals and Groups
  • Evaluation Tools

Part III. Additional Resources, published Nov. 2002
Summary: This is compilation of resources that is being updated on an ongoing basis.
NOTE: these resources are available on the King County Intranet. Please contact us if you would like a copy of files.

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Construction Module, published Sept. 2004
Summary: This construction module is intended to serve as a guide to planning and implementing public involvement during construction of WTD projects. This module is not an exhaustive training tool. Rather, it provides a series of checklists that outline the various elements to consider when planning construction community outreach.

• Entire document (PDF). Covers the following topics:
  • Overview of Construction Phase
  • Planning for Public Involvement
  • Implementing Public Involvement
  • Post-construction Activities
  • Resources
  • Tools
    • Tool A: Sample Contract (Bid) Document Review
    • Tool B: Sample Scopes of Work for Potential Requests for Proposals
    • Tool C: Sample Pre-construction Business Survey
    • Tool D: Sample Pre-construction Community Windshield Survey
    • Tool E: Construction Meetings and Topics
    • Tool F: Sample Citizen Contact Log
    • Tool G: Temporary Relocation of Residents for Emergencies or Construction Projects
    • Tool H: Sample Survey for Evaluation of Public Involvement Activities

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Design Module, published June 2005
Summary: This design module is intended to serve as a guide to planning and implementing public involvement during the design phase of WTD projects. This module is not an exhaustive training tool for how to conduct design phase public involvement. Rather, the checklist format functions as a reminder of the various elements to consider.

• Entire document (PDF). Covers the following topics:
  • Overview of Design Phase
  • Planning for Public Involvement
  • Implementing Public Involvement
  • Transition to Construction Phase
  • Resources
  • Tools
    • Tool A: How to Read and Interpret Engineering Drawings
    • Tool B: How to Review Design Documents (30% and 60% Design): What to Look for from a Community Involvement Perspective
    • Tool C: Planning a Public Design Meeting
    • Tool D: Sample Scope of Work

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