Risk Communication

  • Developing radon risk communication strategy and training for the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).
  • Managed community relations activities for 70 Arizona hazardous waste and federal Superfund sites. Wrote, produced and edited agency publications and assisted scientists and engineers with public outreach of regulatory programs and issues statewide.
  • Managed emergency public health information “consumption advisory” after discovery of high levels of pesticides from sport fish in Painted Rock Reservoir and the Lower Gila River Watershed. Developed and distributed materials and erected warning signs in a remote area that is fished for sustenance by a nearby low income and transient community.
  • Managed a Superfund information/risk communication project for Robson Communities’ Pebble Creek Development. Worked with the builder, land developer, US EPA and state regulatory agency to reach consensus on production of a newsletter for residents and prospective buyers concerned with remedial activity at a nearby National Priority List site. Conducted briefing and training for in-house real estate sales staff and presented the results of the investigation to residents.
  • Worked with ADEQ to develop strategy and facilitate a highly charged public meeting in Pearce, Arizona dealing with an air quality permit application for a proposed controversial municipal solid waste incinerator.
  • Co-managed communication strategy for a high profile groundwater investigation for GTE Corp. in Illinois. Devised a protocol and plan to communicate with various publics including potentially affected neighbors, elected officials, regulators, local and regional media and the community. Conducted intensive media response and risk communication training for staff. Effort resulted in muted and appreciative community response and well-balanced, complimentary media coverage. Subsequently was asked to manage communication strategy for a similar issue at a GTE facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • Managed development of informational materials, fact sheets and conducted risk communication and media relations training for administrators of Grass Valley, California’s Bear River High School after the discovery of high soil-lead levels on school grounds.
  • Developed key messages for anonymous California developer proposing to convert an industrial zoned parcel to a residential area.
  • Served on an 11-member strategic planning panel at the Risk Management and Emergency Communication workshop sponsored by the National Governor’s Association and Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry. Panel developed risk communication protocol and manual for use by Governors’ offices nationwide.
  • Handled public information and involvement and served as media spokesperson dealing with community outrage in Bowie, Arizona, over a proposal by a cotton farmer to import New York City sewage sludge for agricultural applications. Worked with the Arizona departments of Environmental Quality and Health Services, New York Department of Health, US EPA, Agency for Toxic Substances Disease Registry, Cochise County Health Department and local officials to prepare and handle responses to local concerns. Hosted public meetings, held numerous media interviews and helped facilitate the revision of state rules dealing with agricultural application of sludge.
  • Co-authored “Arizona’s Great Salt River Cleanup Campaign: An Exemplary Model of Environmental Risk Communication, Planning and Implementation” for the Journal of Environmental Education.

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