Community Involvement, and a Technical Advisor selected

by | Aug 21, 2020 | Uncategorized

There are two big developments in community involvement for the Superfund Cleanup.

First, the EPA has finalized the update to the Community Involvement Plan (CIP) and CIP Summary for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site.

Second, the Willamette River Advocacy Group (WRAG) is excited to announce an independent technical advisor (Marcus Griswold, PhD) has been selected to provide support to the WRAG for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site under EPA’s Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program.

Community Involvement Plan (CIP) and CIP Summary! Below please find information on: How to access the Portland Harbor CIP, a brief introduction to the CIP, EPA’s thank you, and our search for community-based translation services for the CIP Summary.

  • Access the Portland Harbor CIP: Links to the FINAL CIP and the shorter CIP Summary are now available! If you would like to read a paper copy of the CIP, please contact me (Laura Knudsen) to discuss.
  • What is the Portland Harbor CIP? The Portland Harbor CIP is the foundation of EPA’s Superfund community involvement and outreach program for the Site cleanup.
  • Thank You! EPA is deeply grateful to the many individuals who gave their time and energy to contribute to this Final CIP. EPA would like to thank the six federally recognized Tribes and the communities involved on the Site for the time and energy it took to participate in interviews and provide thoughtful feedback and comments. Your input shaped this document on how to best move the cleanup forward.
  • Translating the CIP Summary: We are looking for community-based translators to translate the CIP Summary (three pages) into several languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Somali, or Vietnamese. If you or someone you know provides these services, please email Kizz Prusia at kprusia@triangleassociates.com. Note that this work will be compensated.
  • Questions? Need Assistance? If you have any questions about the Portland Harbor CIP please contact Laura Knudsen (knudsen.laura@epa.gov, 206-553-1838) or Kizz Prusia (kprusia@triangleassociates.com, 206-962-3707) to request additional assistance.

Technical Advisor Selected for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site! The Willamette River Advocacy Group (WRAG) is excited to announce an independent technical advisor (Marcus Griswold, PhD) has been selected to provide support to the WRAG for the Portland Harbor Superfund Site under EPA’s Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program. Marcus received a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Sciences and a Masters in Entomology, where for 15 years he has utilized his background in, and love of nature, to manage climate change adaptation policy and planning, watershed management, and environmental education programs for non-profits and governments. Please note:

  • A TAG provides money to community groups so they may hire independent advisers to interpret and explain technical aspects of site reports, decisions, and operations generated during a site cleanup. By law, EPA only awards one TAG per Superfund Site.
  • WRAG has contracted Marcus to work on behalf of those communities most adversely affected by the Portland Harbor Superfund Site.
  • Questions? If you have any questions, please contact WRAG at wragpdx@gmail.com.