Public Engagement Planning

Purpose

Public engagement

Public engagement is any process that:

Involves the public in identifying and solving challenges and problems
Uses public input to make sustainable decisions
Educates or informs the public about a topic or issue
Seeks to build meaningful connections and trust with the public through communication and interaction

The purpose of the planning process is to create a Public Engagement Plan that addresses the impacts (positive and negative) the project, program or service may have on users, area businesses, and the surrounding community.

When to use this subject

Begin public engagement planning in the scoping process. You may have to modify the plan throughout the lifecycle of the project.

While you should determine how much public engagement is necessary on all projects, you do not need a Public Engagement Plan on every project, program, service, or activity. The decision to have a plan and the nature of plan depends on the scale of the project and associated public impacts and opportunities.

How this subject fits into the overall project development process

A Public Engagement Plan is a starting point and should be updated and revised throughout the planning study or project. corresponding techniques for their specific Project and/or ongoing engagement needs.

Organizations involved

District Project Managers
District Public Engagement Directors/Coordinators (PECs)
Office of Communications & Public Engagement
- Public Engagement Section
Office of Environmental Stewardship
Office of Civil Rights (Title VI, Environmental Justice)