Alternative Dispute Resolution/Environmental Mediation

For some projects to proceed, consent is needed from the public or various government entities.  Occasionally, when this consent is not forthcoming, the project becomes stalled or stopped.  Mediation is an effective way to end gridlock and reach mutual agreement between multiple parties.

JDQ staff have become recognized for their mediation accomplishments.  The United States Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution (USIECR) screens mediators to determine their capabilities.  Successful mediation in the fields of transportation and hazardous waste has earned JDQ listing on the USIECR Roster, one of only two firms in Illinois that has this distinction.

PROJECT: I-94 Freeway Alternative Dispute Resolution

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) would not approve a Draft Environmental Impact Statement due to the lack of local support over an interchange alternative in Jackson, Michigan along a nine-mile segment of I-94.  Municipal, township, county, and regional planning commission opposition to a proposed interchange alternative appeared to be irreconcilable.  Motorist safety, displacements, traffic congestion, and access to existing businesses were some of the prominent issues that divided community support.

A Consensus Building Committee was assembled that included representatives from each group listed above along with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT)  FHWA and other affected groups.  A mediation team co-led by JDQ helped the committee work through the areas of disagreement to reach consensus on an interchange alternative.

Not only was agreement reached on an interchange design, but the agreement was unanimous which is virtually unheard of in highway planning.

Scope of Services

Conflict Assessment

Facilitation

Intergovernmental Coordination

Mediation

News Releases and News Media Responses

Visualization Techniques

Accomplishments

Public Involvement/Risk Communication

Initiating and maintaining a dialogue with interested, affected, and potentially affected persons can effectively achieve acceptance for needed and sometimes controversial projects in a timely manner.  Development of environmental regulations, policies and programs will consistently benefit when public involvement practices are applied.

JDQ’s dedicated full-time public involvement specialists combine effective listening skills with extensive technical experience.  Their risk communication abilities and HAZWOPER safety training allow them to work on sites and in areas where hazardous substances are present.  With backgrounds that include biology, chemistry, and geology, these public involvement specialists can quickly gain credibility through their ability to explain technical concepts and answer questions in a manner that laypersons and experts alike can understand.  Their accomplishments have helped state and federal government with a variety of environmental issues.

Project:  Wauconda Sand & Gravel

This former waste disposal facility was used to bury residential and hazardous waste from the early 1950s’ until 1978.  After being placed on the Superfund list in 1982, a remedial investigation was started in 1983.  Leachate seeps, contaminated groundwater, previously unknown areas of buried waste, and potential impacts on nearby surface waters prompted a series of actions including two administrative orders, two unilateral orders, and two records of decision by USEPA.  As of June, 2008, a draft Consent Decree with some of the participating responsible parties awaits approval.

The complicated nature of the legal actions, growing concerns about the safety of drinking water for approximately 400 nearby households, and health questions raised by residents led USEPA to issue a Technical Assistance Grant to the Wauconda Superfund Citizen Advisory Group (WSCAG).  JDQ was selected by the WSCAG in 2007 to interpret and summarize the findings of the wide array of technical documents including health assessments and legal orders associated with this site.  JDQ’s public involvement specialists evaluated the numerous technical documents and described their findings to residents.  Through one-on-one discussions, fact sheets, and public presentations the JDQ team was able to resolve misconceptions and help the majority of interested citizens gain a clearer understanding of the risks posed by this site.

Scope of Services

          Risk Communication

          Public Involvement

          Fact Sheets

          Public Presentations

Accomplishments

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Last modified: 08/01/08