Document JJXmm4adZjYBExOrkazR1ebdK

Purpose (continuedfrom page 3) CAPS ... Increasing Effectiveness A member requests thata representative from DTSC attend a CAP meeting and explain the inspection process. He also comments that Dow tries hard to be in compliance and wonderedwhy the agency should spend its limited time and resources on a "good" company when others blatantly violate the regulations. Sarnia Panel receives overview of the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association and the Ontario Ministry of Environment & Energy Pollution Prevention Partner ship Program and the Memo: randum of Understanding (MOU) that provides the framework for the Pollution Prevention and Reduction Partnership. Feedback is sought from the panel regard ing the value of the MOU and ways to communicate progress to the community. The Joliet CAP reviews the worst case credible scenarios for the Joliet site to assess the impact on the plant near neighbors. The head ofthe county HAZMAT team and an official from the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) : Monthly reporting of CAP activities in local newspapers. Special "public" meetings as appropriate for issue at hand. Increased employee communications regarding CAP activities, stressing improvements made at CAPs' suggestions. Pre-meeting mailing of information on "complex" issues to be dis cussed at panel meetings. Periodic community surveys to learn about the community's con- cems/issues with Dow facilities. Annual reports featuring CAP accomplishments. CAPS... Updates! A United States nationwide survey ofcommunity advisory panel members undertaken by the Chemical Manufacturers Association (CMA) reveals that CAP members are positively affected by their experiences on the Panel. Awareness of Responsible Care is relatively high among mem bers, but there is room for improvement The most cited recommendation for improving CAPs is to get information out to the public and to educate the public. A full report is available from Pat Brink. Dave Buzzelli is featured speaker at Freeport meeting honoring CAP members and their spouses. Buzzelli addresses the role of CAPs in Dow's global mission. The CAP will have the opportunity to meet with Dow's Corporate Environmental Advisory Council (CEAC) during 1994. CAPS ... And Responsible Care attend the session. The CAP tours the EMA facilities to see how the community emer gency plan would be activated in an emergency situation. The first guiding principle of Responsible Care, the global industry initiative dedicated to continuing improvement in environmental, health and safety performance, states that we will "... recognize and respond to community concerns about chemicals and our operations." The CAP process reminds us of our obligation to consider and discuss with our communities all decisions that affect them. The CAP process provides . an excellent mechanism to begin this public dialogue. Dow benefits, the community benefits, and hopefully the CAP members benefit from their participation on the panel. We hope you have enjoyed the first issue of your CAP newsletter. Please send comments to Pat Brink at 2020 Dow Center, Midland, Michigan 48674, or call <517) 636-5787. DO" is a RasporalUe C*re Company iff Responsible Care.* A Public Commitment At the Flint meeting, you told us that first-hand knowledge of the Responsible Care initiative would be helpful in generating agenda items for future meetings. We promise that 1994 will be a year of opportunity for learning about Responsible Care in addition to the other pressing concerns you have. An official from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality addresses the CAP, stressing the CAP'S critical role in the Responsible Care initiative. He states that Responsible Care is setting the direc tion for overall environmental improvement in waste prevention, prod uct stewardship and community. 4 I, A,~. . Community Advisory Panels - EWS&VIEWS Volume 1, No. 1 February, 1994 An Open Letter to CAP Members, Facilitators and Dow Representatives: We're listening ... And Changing Many thanks to each ofyou who took part in the global Community Advisory Panel (CAP) meeting in Flint during the fourth quarter of 1993.1 would like to share some personal observations and thoughts. First, the enthusiasm and insights generated at the Flint meeting have already proven invaluable to Dow management as we move forward with the CAP process. CAPs are an integral part of our decision making. They serve as an important link between Dow and its plant communities. And that link helps Dow understand more clearly the real concerns of the community about our company and the chemical industry. - The public once viewed the chemical industry as being interested only in profits with little regard for their plant communities. Fear and mistrust once stood in the way of effective dialogue and mutual understanding of needs. Now, you're helping us understand that communication is essential. As a corporation, Dow needs to reach out to its communities. We've realized that it's good business to be a good neighbor and corporate citizen! People have the right to know what we are doing and how our plant operations may affect the community and economy. A CAP is not a public relations gimmick. Nor is it a forum for activists to pursue their own personal agendas. It is a group of individuals committed to a process of open and honest dialogue. Each CAP is encouraged to set its own agenda and should discuss any issues without feeling that the company is in control. We appreciate each CAP member's on-going commitment to spend personal time working with Dow management to achieve greater understanding ofcommunity issues. Thank you. Thanks also to the facilitators who serve as objective participants and keep us on track with our panel members. And, to the Dow people involved in the process, thanks for understanding its importance and for working hard to continue this proactive process. Thanks to all ofyou for being part of the team! I am looking forward to a year of learning and growing. cfi&yfnoj 'jkfcydht&A.__ Dennis Heydanek Director, Global and North American Issues Management Responsible Care* A Public Commitment In Torrance, Panel members tour epoxy resins plant -- the resin used to produce lami nates for electrical circuit boards. Members see the Product Stewardship Responsible Care Code in action. Allyn's Point management commits to meeting with panel members prior to sched uled CAP sessions to answer new member's individual Panels Are - ' Active ';v;: Council on Sustainable Development (PCSD) that addresses economic growth with a focus on concurrent environmental protection. questions. At a regular update session entitled "This Month At Dow," members learn of Dave Buzzelli, corporate vice president. Environmental, Health, Safety and Public Affairs and his participation as Co-Chair of the President's The Freeport CAP receives a detailed report on a simulated drill conducted to ensure that all protocols are in place to minimize impact to employees and the community in the event of an incident (continued on page 2) DSW 137421 1 STLCOPCB4037379 Active (continuedfrom page 1) Midland's Panel releases its second annual report to the community highlighting its activities and accomplish ments. Concerns raised by panel members regarding Dow's purchasing policies and subsequent impact on the local economy led to interac tive discussions and several proposed solutions by Dow, including opportunities for company-sponsored seminars focused on supplier and pur chasing criteria. Dow Sarnia reviews guidance document regarding its contri butions policy. . Dow's Louisiana Division publishes a list of highlights (1989-1993). The October issue of the Bayou Bulletin, Plaquemine's newsletter, features an article on the CAP and its progress. The Morrisonville relocation project is discussed in detail in response to a panel mem ber's concern based on an article in Audubon Magazine. The UK Chemical Industries Association promotes Responsible Care "Cells"... a group of companies working together on common issues and helping support each other to achieve their common objectives: to improve environ mental, health and safety performance, and to address public concerns. The Joliet CAP recommends Dow issue a local press release publicizing the Fortune magazine article listing Dow in their top ten environmental list of U.S. companies. "It's impor tant to us, we are the neigh bors," stated a CAP member. CAP member volunteers are asked to join a committee developing plans for the beau tification of property adjacent to the Pittsburg-Antioch Highway near Dow and other industry property. A Pittsburg plant operator becomes an employee representative to the CAP. Panel members request a presentation "benchmarking" community health in Fort Saskatchewan, to include a comparison of current data with the provincial average or with similar locations in Alberta or Canada. Areas of broad concern are respiratory diseases and cancers. CAPS... Future Agenda Impact of proposed United States federal health care reform on Dow, its suppliers and its communities. Q Impact of Dow subsidiary issues on the company. - Regional environmental updates. The chlorine issue. The United States EPA's "Risk Management Programs" proposed rule. Dow's position on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Midland panel begins discussions on the International Joint Commission's (DC) recommendations regarding proposals for environmental protec tion of the Great Lakes ecosystem, including the phaseout of chlorine. As a result of panel comments, Dow produces a newspaper insert to pro vide NERM (National Emissions ReductioifMasterplan) information to Fort Saskatchewan and the surround ing area. Dow's CAER budget purchases a 10watt AM radio station which will be licensed to and operated by the city of Pittsburg for broadcasting emergency preparedness and emergency response messages. CAP members say Dow should actively promote this. Torrance provides electronic sign for non-profit events and community service messages. At suggestion of a Louisiana Division CAP member, the division begins a program called "Quality Minutes" that recognizes employee accom plishments on the division's internal television broadcast system. Dow Samia installs an 800 number response network accessible to the community in Kent, Lambton, Essex and St Clair counties at panel's sug gestion. Allyn's Point panel publishes communi ty educational brochure and Neighbor Survey Report King's Lynn, England' The Joliet CAP develops a question naire designed to review and evaluate critical community issues. A major goal of the CAP is to extend the impact of the panel beyond its members to the com munity to encourage community wide input Panel members want to be viewed as a group of people who voluntarily give Dow advice at Dow's request rather than a group of people representing the community. We need to involve our CAPs in advance of breaking issues whenever possible. The Allyn's Point CAP agrees to review communications materials being prepared for Panels With A Purpose plant communities about the proposed EPA"Risk Management Programs" rule that will require the chemical and many other industries to report their "worst-case sce nario" to the public. TheEPA definition is not yet final, but focuses on what is the worst accident that could happen from the "mishandling" of chemicals present at a facility. A plan for prevention of acci dents will be required by law. To have your CAP members involved in this advisory capaci ty, please contact Pat Brink for information. The Pittsburg CAP discusses the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) notification of 32 alleged violation#feyDow. 1 (continued on page 4) DSW 137422