Through the use of public education, community outreach, and facilitated dialogue, Katz & Associates has enabled innovative energy projects to keep moving forward while meeting the needs and expectations of the public. We communicate highly technical material so that it is accessible to laypeople. By using everyday language and combining traditional approaches to public outreach with innovative social media, our team successfully reaches out to a broad array of stakeholders.

Communication about environmental issues involves a thorough understanding of state and federal regulations and the ability to present complex, technical and controversial issues to a variety of audiences. Katz & Associates effectively translates highly technical information into forms that are understandable to the layperson. We take a comprehensive and proactive approach to each project, integrating technical and public outreach issues right from the start. We have worked with local, state, federal and international agencies and stakeholders to support environmental projects that meet and exceed required levels of outreach.

Katz & Associates staff has worked with local, state and federal agencies to support a wide range of environmental cleanup programs. We have experience working with a variety of chemical constituents, impacted media, environmental receptors, as well as the spectrum of regulatory bodies. Regardless of each site's challenge, Katz & Associates provides comprehensive, quality community involvement programs. From site identification through development of proposed plans and records of decision, to closure and delisting, Katz & Associates knows the requirements and understands what it takes to conduct a successful, public-approved, compliant community involvement program.

Military projects often require specialized forms of communication to address the unique issues and stakeholders involved. Katz & Associates develops and implements strategic communication, outreach and involvement programs for complex, technical and controversial military projects. We have extensive experience with the Department of Defense projects in the United States and around the world. We specialize in environmental communication, environmental planning and process support, risk communication and governmental relations to effectively communicate information to stakeholders.

Since 1986, Katz & Associates has built a specialty in helping public agencies navigate the sensitive and at times controversial issues associated with siting, designing and constructing public works projects. From project approval and funding, through environmental review to the final project dedication event, Katz & Associates develops tailored communication plans that help projects get built. Katz & Associates has experience meeting community needs with the following public works issues:

• Rate, fee and tax increases to fund projects
• Facilities siting
• Project design
• Environmental certification
• Community opposition
• Mitigation
• Construction
• Start-up

Katz & Associates works closely with municipalities and agencies to help educate about stormwater pollution, remedies, and efforts to improve problems resulting from polluted stormwater flow. Together we can provide strategic approaches to watershed planning, stormwater system maintenance, capital improvements, complaints and general public awareness that will foster improved health of our oceans and waterways.

• Strategic planning and facilitation
• Regulatory compliance
• Stakeholder Education
• Liaison between utility and public
• Research and assessment studies
• Outreach to property owners and developers
• Construction outreach
• Trade and mainstream media relations
• Crisis management
• Focus groups, public hearings and educational outreach
• Tour and event coordination

Katz & Associates understands the range of community issues and challenges that can arise during transportation projects. From planning to design to construction, such projects can impact not only traffic, infrastructure and the environment but also standards of living, business operations and community activities. Katz & Associates employs a variety of methods to inform and involve the public in transportation projects:

• Construction and traffic alerts
• Fact sheets and newsletters
• Field team trainings
• Mailers, fliers and door hangers
• One-on-one stakeholder meetings
• Open houses and public meetings
• Public service announcements
• Roadside signage
• Strategic media programs
• Workshops and design charrettes

Katz & Associates has built a niche in the world of wastewater, working closely with municipalities and agencies to help educate and bridge the communication gap between the public and the people who work hard to keep water clean and renewable. On a host of topics and issues, Katz & Associates can provide and implement strategic approaches to help move your project and message forward.

• Facilities siting, construction and operation
• Biosolids education
• Environmental planning and compliance
• Rates
• Water reuse and recycling studies, research and implementation
• Construction outreach
• Strategic planning and facilitation
• Trade and mainstream media relations
• Crisis management
• Focus groups, public hearings and educational outreach
• Tour and event coordination

Katz & Associates Inc., is one of the nation's leading communication firms specializing in water and wastewater issues. Since 1986, we have worked with special districts, municipalities, privately owned utilities, state and federal agencies, and regional coalitions to inform and involve the public regarding such important topics as:

• Water supply reliability
• Conservation
• Facilities siting, construction and operation
• Water quality and treatment
• State and federal regulatory compliance
• Groundwater management
• Capital improvement programs
• Rates
• Water recycling
• Desalination
• Biosolids
• Storage

Katz & Associates is nationally recognized for its leadership in water reuse communication. From program planning to implementation, Katz & Associates works with clients to develop tailored communication programs, including public acceptance, informational materials, advisory groups, media relations and community outreach.