Communication on contaminated land
By: Lida Schelwald-vd Kley ; NICOLE (A Network for Industrially Contaminated Land in Europe)
Publisher: NICOLE
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
Language: eng
Number of pages: 29
Subjects: Hazardous waste site remediation
Notes: Contaminated land risk assessment and remediation can either be driven by the need to protect the public and the environment or by brownfield redevelopment. Whilst brownfield redevelopment brings tangible benefits that can be seen by all, different stakeholder groups will perceive different ratios of costs (in their broadest sense) to benefits. However, experience has shown that responses can range from outright opposition to any action to extreme concern. Communication of risks associated with contaminated land to those who are not directly involved in the project is unique in the sense that soil and groundwater contamination tends to be invisible and may therefore be perceived as a 'hidden danger' caused by others, with exposure being largely involuntary. It is also often disruptive and with no perceived direct benefits to many of those involved. Experience shows that effective communication can lead to a better quality of solution for all parties concerned and to its wider acceptance. Case studies are described in this booklet along with the key communication lessons distilled from them.