New York State DEC Comparative Risk Project Information Sheet
PROJECT TITLE: "Comparative Risk: Multimedia Pollution Prevention Strategic Planning"
PROJECT SUMMARY: The Comparative Risk Project will help to identify those problem areas where current regulatory and pollution prevention efforts have so far failed to adequately reduce risk to human health, ecosystems, and quality of life for New Yorkers. Only problem areas that could be addressed through pollution prevention were considered in this project. The problem areas were characterized and compared based on "residual risk," that is, the risk that remains given current levels of regulation and control. Each of the problem areas, but especially those determined to be higher risk, were closely examined for pollution prevention opportunities that will reduce the risks. All identified pollution prevention measures were evaluated on the basis of cost, expected effectiveness, practicality, and fairness; and those that were determined to be most worthwhile will be recommended to the Commissioner for implementation.
Comparative Risk is serving as one of the agency's primary mechanisms to building better understanding, positive relationships, and support for DEC's mission and goals by soliciting broad public input throughout the project. It is assisting in providing education to increase public awareness and understanding of agency programs and created partnerships among those groups and agencies that participate in the project. The project involves many people both within and outside of DEC, and has seeked to achieve consensus from a broad range of viewpoints.
ORGANIZATION OF PROJECT: The New York State Comparative Risk Project proceeded in two phases. Phase I, the risk characterization phase, identified the most significant threats to human health, ecosystems, and quality of life that result from toxic releases to the environment. The publication of the Phase 1 Final Report set the stage for Phase 2 of the Project by establishing and assigning responsibilities to the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group for evaluating potential pollution prevention measures and making recommendations for a risk-based pollution prevention strategy. The Phase 2 Draft Final Report of the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group has been completed and is now available for your review and comment until September 16, 2002. The project has been led by a Steering Committee, which oversees all aspects of the project. Their work has been supported by technical work groups, which have focused on: human health, ecosystems, quality of life, and public participation. The NYSDEC Pollution Prevention Unit has lead responsibility for the project and provides management and logistical support.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: The Public Participation Work Group have ensured that public participation plays a prominent role in the project. Members of the public were invited to participate on the work groups and are currently invited to comment on the Phase 2 Draft Final Report of the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group. The public comment period will take place through September 16, 2002. Information on submitting comments can be found below. This report will be revised and finalized shortly after review of the public comments received, and it is anticipated that the Steering Committee will prepare a final report for the Project by the end of 2002. Although no formal written response to individual public comments will be prepared, each comment that is received will be considered by the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group for the Steering Committee and will be reflected in changes to the report which will be posted on this website.
PROJECT SCHEDULE: Phase 1 reports were released summer of 2001 for public comment and have been finalized. The Phase 2 Draft Final Report of the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group is now available for public comment until September 16, 2002. This report will be revised and finalized shortly after review of the public comments received, and it is anticipated that the Steering Committee will prepare a final report for the Project by the end of 2002.
PROJECT PROCESS AND SCOPE: In 1996, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation launched the New York State Comparative Risk Project. Directed by the Comparative Risk Project Steering Committee, the Comparative Risk Project proceeded in two phases. Phase 1, the risk characterization phase, involved putting together work groups to identify those substances that posed a risk to human health, the environment and New Yorker's quality of life. The technical work groups studied the availability of information and compiled and analyzed all relevant data. The work groups prepared a preliminary characterization of the issues with respect to human health, ecosystems, or quality of life, as appropriate. A report, detailing the data and analysis that was prepared justifying the preliminary characterizations, were prepared by each work group. The Public Participation Work Group was responsible for presenting the technical information gathered by the other work groups to the public and soliciting public comment. This Work Group was responsible for preparing a compilation of the public comments on the Phase 1 reports to the Steering Committee, which completed an integrated risk characterization and comparison. The Phase 1 reports were finalized in the summer of 2001.
Under Phase 2 of the Comparative Risk Project, the Project Steering Committee then created the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group to develop a variety of specific pollution prevention strategies aimed at those potentially harmful substances identified in Phase 1. The risk reduction measures are based on recommendations from the work groups and the public. A Draft Final Report of the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group that develops, prioritizes and recommends for implementation, overall management strategies that also incorporate specific pollution prevention strategies has been prepared.
AVAILABILITY OF DOCUMENTS AND COMMENT PROCEDURES: Review our public information package and the Phase 2 Draft Final Report of the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group. A public comment period on the Draft Final Report of the Risk Reduction Strategies Work Group will take place through September 16, 2002. Copies of the report can be mailed upon request by calling the NYSDEC Pollution Prevention Unit at (518) 402-9469.
To ask questions about this project contact:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Pollution Prevention Unit
625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1750
(518) 402-9469 (phone), (518) 402-9168 (fax)
Any comments or questions?
Contact us at: 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1750;
518-402-9469 (phone); 518-402-9168 (fax)
