Case Study: Public Involvement Outcomes in Four Seattle Communities Targeted for New Combined Sewer Overflow Facilities

摘要

This paper describes a public outreach effort conducted by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) in four shoreline communities in the City of Seattle, WA. A public outreach plan was developed to support planning and siting for new wastewater facilities for Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) control. Despite similarities in project communities and both approach and timing of outreach activities, public reaction varied, apparently dependent upon proposed facility location, with park land creating the greatest level of opposition and requiring the most effort to address. The project team adjusted the outreach plan and added resources to accommodate response level and information needs in each project community after alternatives were presented. We conclude that project managers need to allow sufficient schedule and scope for extensive public outreach when new facilities are sited in urban areas, especially parks and open spaces, and to identify community-specific outreach strategies throughout the project.