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RISK COMMUNICATION
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STS-111 orbiting the Earth.
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Extratropical Cyclones near Iceland
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Purpose of Risk Communication
NASA's Environmental Management Programs include advancing
environmental stewardship, identifying and mitigating environmental
consequences of project activities, compliance with existing
environmental regulations and statutes, and the environmental
clean up needs that result from historic practices. In all of these areas, open and
ongoing communications critical to stakeholder understanding and
support of NASA's activities. Risk Communication is the two-way
exchange of technical and scientific information between NASA and its
stakeholders. For example, the Environmental Compliance and
Restoration (ECR) program is responsible for cleaning up NASA's
contaminated sites to protect human health and the environment. Risk
Communication and an active community outreach/involvement effort is a
central part of NASA restoration efforts to build awareness and
maintain public support for these activities. Improved public
communication of NASA's ECR activities is a goal of the NASA
Headquarters Environmental Management System (EMS).
How Risk Communications Support NASA's Mission
A formal Risk Communication and community outreach/involvement strategy
allows NASA to implement environmental stewardship programs and
restoration and cleanup projects with the support of the local community
and various stakeholder groups. Early involvement and communication
increases collaboration and understanding, builds trust and credibility,
and reduces the potential for conflict. Risk Communication can also
improve NASA's environmental risk management decision-making.
Risk Communication Regulatory Drivers
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- NASA Headquarters Environmental Management System (EMS)
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- State Environmental statutes and Regulations
Recent Accomplishments & Ongoing Activities
- A Media Room was established to provide media ready access to the latest
information on groundwater cleanup activities at and around JPL.
- Bi-lingual newsletter on the JPL groundwater Clean up Program published periodically.
- Community Workgroup at NASA Glenn Research Center has assisted
the agency in decommissioning a nuclear test reactor facility at Plum
Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio including providing the public with a
mechanism to both receive information and provide input, comments and
questions.
Additional Program Information
EMD Events and Awards Points of Contact(s)
+ James Leatherwood, Director, EMD
+ Rich Wickman, Deputy Director, EMD
+ Merrilee Fellows, Public Affairs Specialist for Risk Communication, (NASA HQ, based at JPL)
+ Mark Schoppet, ECR Program Manager, EMD
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