Sample Communication & Outreach Projects

Communications for Superfund: EPA wanted Americans to be aware of its Superfund program cleanup successes at major sites across the country. Indtai staff developed the concept for Superfund At Work, an attractive series of brochures that explained Superfund successes in easy-to-understand language, pictures, and graphics. These products were designed for Congress and the public. We translated the mystique of complex decision documents (RODs) and site studies (RI/FSs) into plain English, without sacrificing technical accuracy. We analyzed the audience, as well as establishing tone and level of delivery. We conceptualized the "look" of the documents-- including graphics and layout design--and helped train the team of writers through guidance and editorial review. Our staff worked with Regional and State staff to collect background information and develop key messages for each site. We also designed and implemented a reader response form to collect valuable audience feedback that, in turn, led to improved processes and products. Our EPA clients were enthusiastic about how the innovative product clearly portrayed the enforcement, cleanup, and community relations successes in terms the lay reader can understand, while preserving technical accuracy to the client's satisfaction.

Nonpoint Source (NPS) Water Pollution Reports: Indtai's Communication and Outreach specialist edited the Office of Water's Report to Congress on Nonpoint Source Pollution. The report provided a fresh, insightful look into the pervasive environmental problems caused by NPS water pollution. Our consultant was also a major contributor to a report on NPS pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, which described NPS programs in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. This regional report served as a vehicle for sharing each jurisdiction's organization, accomplishments, plans, funding levels, and emerging issues. She also designed and wrote a document on NPS Innovations--success stories from across the country featuring best practices for controlling this kind of water pollution.

NPL Fact Sheets: As a complement to the Superfund at Work project that focused on a subset of all Superfund sites, EPA's communication campaign included the development of brief fact sheets at each one of the 1300+ Superfund sites around the country. An Indtai consultant served as a major contributor to the National Priorities List (NPL) Book, which compiled fact sheets on every Superfund site in the nation. She was the chief designer of the layout and graphic strategy for both the "state" and "national" books, and wrote about 200 of the site summaries published in the state books. She was the main writer of drafts for the national overview book called Superfund: Focusing on the Nation at Large, which discusses program challenges and progress nationwide in language non-experts can understand. These products were useful to Congress as well as the public: Congressmen at hearings were seen to flip through or hold up copies of the NPL fact sheets and Superfund at Work.

Community Guidance Materials for Effective Wastewater Management: One of our analysts wrote and designed four stylish guidance brochures aimed at small municipalities to help them make the best use of EPA's investment in local wastewater treatment: (1) Management -- how to manage a sewer project through construction; (2) Cash Flow -- how to use funds wisely to make sure wastewater systems will pay their own operating costs; (3) O&M --how to assure that operations and maintenance are well thought out; and (4) Best Practices -- success stories from small towns that have improved their wastewater treatment strategies and practices. A more detailed and comprehensive handbook was drafted to help municipal officials manage wastewater construction projects. The handbook was designed with creative, self-instructional worksheets that, once filled in, constituted an approvable management plan for submission to EPA/State authorities.

16-Year Superfund Report: As Superfund's 16th anniversary approached, its program managers wanted a good-looking, pithily written report for the public on its successes. One of our Indtai staff members contributed significantly to the shape and content of this historic report.

Beneficial Reuse Fact Sheets: The attention given the Brownfields program motivated Superfund managers to communicate to the public some of the successes their program had achieved with recycling Superfund sites for productive uses. One of Indtai's consultants helped shape a series of fact sheets that presented the economic benefits of Superfund cleanups, contributing to content, style, design, and tone as the project evolved.

DOT Outreach Materials: DOT's Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) wanted a brochure that communicated the rules of the hazardous materials transport registration program in a format easily understandable by hazmat truck drivers, members of industry. An Indtai staff member rewrote the materials so that they communicated to the audience while preserving regulatory intent. Our consultant devised graphics strategies, presented briefings to RSPA managers, worked with graphic artists to produce mockups for senior officials, and revised registration forms to make them more effective.

Interagency Coordination: A senior Indtai consultant assisted EPA's military base closure cleanup efforts. He provided policy support and facilitated meetings between DoD management, base commanders, and EPA personnel regarding timing and approach to cleanup of military bases scheduled for closure.

Wastewater Technical Development Initiatives Workshop: Our analyst helped design and facilitate the day-long Technical Development Initiatives workshop held by EPA's wastewater office. She supported the client in identifying the audience, structuring workshop content and themes, and gearing the breakout discussions toward the goal of consensus and recommendations. The workshop explored technological challenges that lie ahead for wastewater treatment in the U.S. as existing plants approach the end of their design lives. As a facilitator at the event, she pooled and organized the technical opinions of expert attendees from academia, industry, and government on wastewater problems and solutions in the 21st century. She created an issue paper for EPA managers highlighting the top concerns and approaches.

DOT Teleconference Script: DOT's Office of Pipeline Safety wanted a teleconference video script that would hook stakeholders into a new way of doing business with oil pipeline operators. The teleconference involved regional program officers, state emergency personnel, and industry. An Indtai staff member improved the script, aiming it to focus on interactions between program staff and their audiences and clarifying advantages and incentives related to the new concepts.

Off-Site Rule Brochure: When do you send hazardous waste off site? EPA Regional Project Managers (RPM) and On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) wanted to know the rules, and Superfund Headquarters staff needed some simple, straightforward guidance for their field staff. One of our consultants designed this pamphlet, describing for RPMs and OSCs the rationale and procedures for safely sending hazardous waste off site.