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TOSC Overview
IntroductionSince 1994, the TOSC program has guided communities through the environmental cleanup and site reuse process. TOSC is a no-cost, non-advocate technical assistance program supported by the Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRCs). The HSRCs conduct basic and applied research, technology transfer, and training focused on various aspects of hazardous substance management.TOSC uses the resources of researchers and professionals in environmental science and engineering from more than 30 major research universities to provide communities with the independent technical information they need to participate actively in solving environmental problems. How TOSC Assists Communities
Can We Help?Is there a hazardous waste site in your community? Do you have questions about health, risk, and cleanup technologies? Have you looked for answers only to find volumes of complex technical data you didn't understand? Do you just want to know what it all means? The Technical Outreach Services for Communities program can help.Our researchers and professionals in the hazardous substance field can provide valuable information to your community. We can help your community understand risk and health issues. We'll explain the science and engineering involved in cleanup efforts. We'll even help you work with your state agency and the EPA. TopMission StatementOur MissionOur mission is to empower communities with an independent understanding of the underlying technical issues related to hazardous substance contamination so that they may participate substantively in the decision-making process.TopPrinciplesThe primary function of the Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) program is to bring university educational and technical resources to communities affected by hazardous substance contamination. This is based on the premise that an understanding of the underlying technical issues is a basic requirement for meaningful citizen participation in the decision-making process to address such problems. Universities are best suited for carrying out this mission because of their combination of independence, technical expertise, research capabilities, and experience in providing similar extension services to communities.While education is the primary focus of the program, it may also be appropriate for TOSC personnel to facilitate communication among stakeholders and to offer scientific opinions on specific issues, when these activities serve to enhance education. TOSC personnel are not stakeholders, or the agents of stakeholders, and are therefore expected to remain neutral in their interactions with the community. Every effort will be made to distinguish between issues of science and issues of policy. Flexibility is essential to ensure that each TOSC project addresses the unique set of concerns present in a particular community. Nonetheless, a common approach to the process has been developed and will be followed for each project to ensure quality and efficient use of resources. This includes institutional mechanisms for evaluation and feedback on each project by all project stakeholders as part of a system for continual improvement of the TOSC program. TopScopeSpecific activities will be tailored to the needs of the community under an agreement developed between TOSC personnel and community representatives. Attention will normally be given to providing a base of fundamental scientific information, interpreting and summarizing reports, clarifying the regulatory process in general and as it relates to the site, addressing specific site contamination issues including extent of contamination, contaminant dynamics, exposure and health considerations, ecological considerations, and potential remediation technologies. Every effort will be made to select appropriate educational techniques including distribution of written material, public meetings, workshops, electronic tools, and local media. In carrying out this activity, TOSC will remain outside the decision-making process and avoid taking an advocacy position or making substantive recommendations. Further, it is not the role of TOSC to serve as an organizational point or process focus for community involvement.Each of the five regional TOSC programs in the U.S. has developed a site selection process by which sites are nominated and reviewed for suitability, and a decision of whether to work with the community is reached. Referrals from EPA regional offices and state regulatory agencies are primary factors in this process. For the communities selected, a needs assessment is performed to determine the educational needs, the most suitable delivery mechanisms, and the key stakeholders. This routinely results in an assistance agreement in which resources are committed by both the TOSC program and the community. The delivery process is complemented by development and implementation of a communication strategy to ensure the effort is widely accessible. TopWhat We Can DoWe provide a variety of services to interested citizens, including:
Would a workshop be more helpful? Our professionals will travel to your community for a single day or evening meeting, workshop, or session. We'll tailor the presentation to issues specific to your site. We'll even filter out the technical and regulatory jargon. Do you need help preparing comments on a proposed action? Our researchers can provide the most recent insights on science and technology. We'll help you review the important documents. We'll also help you prepare written comments to present to regulators. Would a public education initiative better meet your needs? We provide a variety of other services. If the activities mentioned aren't what you want, contact us to discuss how we can help. TopTOSC/Community Memorandum of AgreementTOSC projects that provide technical and educational outreach to communities with hazardous substance problems should be developed in partnership with the community and should be reflected in a TOSC/community Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Such an agreement should state the intent of the project and the commitments to be made by both TOSC and the community. A TOSC/ community agreement must provide a clear understanding of the plan of action and the limitations of TOSC involvement, and must reflect trust between the participants. It should be based on three major components: principles of a community/TOSC partnership, community evaluation, and agreement format. Select the following links to download copies of a generic Memorandum of Understanding: TopPrinciples of a Community/TOSC PartnershipA partnership between a community and TOSC is "two-way." TOSC will contribute valuable, independent, and necessary information and expertise to assist the community in addressing hazardous waste problems. The community will contribute knowledge, expertise, and time.A TOSC/community partnership reflects a commitment to fostering and sustaining a relationship for the time period required for meeting the needs of the community. A TOSC/community partnership is an opportunity for TOSC to learn ways to continuously improve its technical assistance outreach. TOSC/community partnerships are characterized by the principles of trust, neutrality, and flexibility. TopCommunity Evaluation of TOSC ProjectsMembers of a community can have diverse and conflicting interests and agendas that can result in widely varied evaluations of the project. The evaluation discussed below should come from the community group that is a party to the TOSC/community agreement. The group should strive to reflect valid concerns and problems of the community at large.
TopMemorandum of Agreement Format
TopSelection CriteriaThreshold Criteria: A community must have one of the following site problems in order to be eligible for TOSC selection:
More Likely To Be Selected:
TopParticipationIf there is a hazardous waste site in your community, you're eligible to participate in this program. We'd like to help your community work together on hazardous waste problems.Assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. TopHow To Contact UsPlease contact the TOSC Program for your EPA region by telephoning the appropriate hot-line number. Have the following information available when you call:
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