Public Participation Plan and Limited English Proficiency Plan

Public Participation Plan

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) strives to conduct the people’s business in an open and transparent way. To achieve this goal, NCDEQ and its staff must be aware and sensitive to the changing diversity of the State’s population, culture, as well as the needs of communities across the State when developing and implementing public participation, outreach and engagement programs. At this time, NCDEQ is reexamining its public participation practices as media and messaging options are evolving, print newspaper subscriptions are declining, and access to the internet varies considerably across our state’s population. This Public Participation Plan is intended to be a living document that addresses the department’s ongoing efforts to engage in public participation and also guide NCDEQ’s efforts to continue presenting clear and easy-to-consume information to all stakeholders.

It is important to note that while this document provides guidance and best practices, each community is different and a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to public participation is not the most effective approach. Rather, NCDEQ will apply best practices and methods that reflect the needs of each individual community. The primary purpose of creating, implementing, and regularly updating this plan is to assist NCDEQ and its staff in fostering stronger partnerships with individuals and groups that will contribute to the department’s statutory duty to protect public health and the environment.

View the Draft Public Participation Plan

Limited English Proficiency Plan

It is critical to facilitate and encourage public participation and reduce known barriers. The Department is committed to providing equitable access and ensuring accurate and understandable information is distributed to and available for all North Carolinians. Executive Order 13166 requires each federal agency to ensure recipients of federal funding provide language access services to Limited English Proficient (LEP) on the obligation under Title VI. As a recipient of federal funds, NCDEQ is therefore required to provide language assistance services to qualifying populations when deemed appropriate. The LEP Plan, is being developed in conjunction with the Public Participation Plan, for resources and best practices for outreach with limited English proficient persons.

View the Draft Limited English Proficiency Plan

Public Comments

The comment period will be open until Sept. 18, 2019.

The public is invited send comments by email to ej@ncdenr.gov or mail comments to:
                                    N.C. Department of Environmental Quality
                                    Attn: Renee Kramer
                                    217 West Jones Street
                                    1646 Mail Service Center
                                    Raleigh, NC 27699-1646