Pre-filing Outreach Requirements for Public Meetings with the Community

(1) The Applicant shall make substantial good faith efforts to meet the following pre filing outreach requirements for public meetings with the Community: (a) Tailor outreach for public meetings to the Project and characteristics of potentially impacted populations and publicize Project information using at least two outreach channels that have wide reach within the Community. 1. Outreach channels can include, but are not limited to, door knocking, emails, phone calls, social media posts, flyers posted in community gathering spaces, radio spots, and contacting local cable channel(s). The Applicant may consult with local officials and community-based organizations on the appropriate outreach channels that will have the broadest reach in the Project area including multi-media and multi-cultural media options. 2. Outreach materials shall note the availability of intervenor funding to eligible entities through the Department and the Board’s Intervenor Support Grant Program and include a link to the program website. 3. Outreach materials shall include information on how to request translation and/or interpretation services. 4. Outreach materials shall link to the Applicant’s Project webpage. 5. Paper copies of the outreach materials shall be available for review in municipal office buildings (e.g., clerk’s office) and public libraries within the municipality(ies) in which the proposed Project boundaries fall, and locations suggested by Key Stakeholders and members of the Community. Upon request, Applicant shall provide paper copies of outreach materials to Key Stakeholders and members of the Community. (b) Guidelines for Public Meetings 1. Hold public meetings in a format that allows for both in-person and virtual participation, where possible. Applicants are encouraged to record the presentation portion of meetings with a virtual component. Applicants must disclose that the meeting is recorded at the start of the meeting and upload the recording to the Project webpage. 2. Translate flyers announcing the public meetings, the meeting agenda, presentation, and other materials and provide simultaneous interpretation according to the current Board Language Access Plan. 3. Provide translation and interpretation in additional languages as requested. 4. Hold public meetings at reasonable times that reflect Community availability (e.g., weekends and evenings) and in accessible locations that Community members routinely use (e.g., community centers and public libraries). Applicants are encouraged to consult with Key Stakeholders regarding the most appropriate time and place for Community meetings. 5. Where possible, meeting locations shall be near public transit and/or have ample no-cost parking. 6. Provide notice of the public meeting at least two weeks in advance and communicate event date/time through a variety of outreach channels, including the Project email distribution list.