Involving the public means ensuring communities and project proponents learn, talk, and listen, concerns are turned into solutions, and projects move forward. At EnviroIssues, we apply our communications and technical backgrounds to help clients effectively engage the public in complex and controversial projects. We profile community areas to define stakeholders, identify issues through interviews and research, and use diverse techniques to get people involved and learn how we can address their needs.
Exploring Tolling in Our Region

Washington is exploring options for user fees or tolls to finance new road improvements and to help manage demand for congested corridors in our region. EnviroIssues helps involve the public in learning more about congestion pricing and tolling options. A pilot variable tolling project using High Occupancy Toll or HOT lanes on SR 167 is the first of its kind in Washington. The success of the pilot project – and the state’s ability to expand the use of HOT lanes – is largely dependent upon public acceptance, making public outreach an essential component of the pilot project.

 
City Plans for a Town Center

The City of Sammamish is engaged in an ambitious effort to create a new town center that will serve as the heart of the city, providing opportunities for civic engagement and meeting the commercial and recreational needs of its growing population. During the initial planning and environmental review phase, EnviroIssues worked to develop relationships between the City of Sammamish, project advisory committee, affected property owners, local stakeholders, and interest groups in order to capture their vision for the future town center. As the town center plan took shape, EnviroIssues helped to ensure that public feedback was heard and addressed in the draft and final town center plan and we helped city staff continue to consult with the community, resulting in a creative and sustainable town center plan.

 
Local Project Engages Businesses and Communities

Construction during the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement project along Seattle’s waterfront will impact virtually everyone in the region. Strategic community outreach to businesses before construction begins is important in order to help manage construction impacts. Also important is conducting outreach to low-income and minority populations who are often underrepresented. EnviroIssues has engaged businesses through a stakeholder focus
group, a detailed business survey, and distribution of timely project material. We interview neighborhood leaders to gather community concerns, attend fairs and festivals in the community, and provide translated project information.