Why is community involvement important in UST assessments?

Community involvement is essential in Underground Storage Tank (UST) assessments for several key reasons, notably in fostering trust and tapping into local knowledge. When community members are actively engaged in the assessment process, it helps to build a transparent relationship between the assessing parties and the residents, which can lead to increased public trust in the outcomes of the assessments and any subsequent remediation efforts.

Local residents often have valuable insights about the history of the site, previous environmental incidents, and the surrounding ecology that can inform the assessment process. This input can enhance the quality and efficacy of the assessment by providing context that might not be captured through standard methodologies. Additionally, community involvement ensures that the perspectives of those most affected by the USTs, such as potential health impacts or environmental concerns, are considered, leading to more comprehensive solutions.

Collectively, these factors underscore the importance of incorporating community involvement as a fundamental aspect of UST assessments rather than seeing it as an ancillary element or a burden on the process.