EP 1110-3-8
9 Apr 04
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1-1. Purpose. This pamphlet provides information on public participation in the Defense
Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) for Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) through
discussion of procedures for the establishment and maintenance of public involvement programs,
Restoration Advisory Boards (RABs), and Administrative Records. The information presented
herein complements the information provided in chapter 8 of the proposed ER 200-3-1.
1-2. Applicability. This pamphlet applies to all Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(HQUSACE) elements and all U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Commands having
responsibility for performing hazardous, toxic, and radioactive waste (HTRW) response actions
and military munitions response (MMR) actions at FUDS properties. Although specifically
written as guidance for managing the public participation process in relation to the USACE
FUDS program, the pamphlet may also be used as a guide when USACE has responsibility to
comply with the public participation process in relation to the Installation Restoration, Base
Realignment and Closure, and Work for Others programs and other environmental restoration
projects requiring public involvement.
1-3. Distribution Statement. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
1-4. References. References are at appendix A.
1-5. Explanation of Acronyms. Acronyms used in this document are explained in the glossary.
1-6. Background.
a. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCLA) is the law, passed by Congress in 1980, which authorized the government to respond
directly to releases, or threatened releases, of hazardous substances that may endanger public
health, welfare, or the environment. In 1986, Congress passed amendments to CERCLA,
entitled Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA). SARA authorized DERP
under 10 United States Code (USC) 2701 et. seq. The FUDS component of DERP is managed
and executed by USACE under authority delegated by the Department of Defense (DOD)
through the Department of the Army (DA). SARA called for increased public participation
during all phases of response actions and required the establishment of information repositories
and Administrative Records for each remedial or removal response action. Under DERP, DOD
issued policy for establishing RABs to review and comment on environmental restoration
activities being conducted at military installations and FUDS properties. In 1996, Congress
authorized DOD to obtain technical assistance to help RAB members and Technical Review
Committees (TRCs) better understand the scientific and engineering issues underlying
environmental restoration activities. In response to this authority, DOD has finalized the
1-1
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