TRB conducted a webinar on March 12, 2014, from 2:00pm to 3:30pm ET that presented information included in a report on the “Potential Use of Social Media in the NEPA Process.” The report identifies how social media might be used to both foster interactive dialogue and reach stakeholders who might not otherwise participate in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

Social media has the potential to supplement the public involvement aspects of the NEPA process. The webinar included an overview of survey results and case study observations that inform suggested practices for implementing social media as a NEPA public involvement tool.


Webinar Presenters

• Eileen Barron, Utah Department of Transportation
• Shane Peck, Parsons Brinckerhoff
• Marie Venner, Venner Consulting

Moderated by: Lloyd Brown, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)


Webinar Outline

• PART 1: Review survey results in the report using infographics
• PART 2: Lessons learned from case studies in the report
• PART 3: Suggestions for implementing social media in the NEPA process, including determining the purpose for social media outreach, selecting tools, developing a protocol, and addressing negative comments and misinformation
• PART 4: Summary of key themes
• PART 5: Question and answer session

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions.


Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe how agencies are currently using social media for NEPA;
• Identify examples of social media supporting NEPA public involvement; and
• Explain where to find the “Suggested Practices Guidance Resource.”

To ensure that you receive notices about upcoming webinars, please subscribe to the TRB Transportation Research E-Newsletter.


Registration Information
There is no fee for employees of TRB Sponsors or TRB Sustaining Affiliates who register using their work email address. In addition to employees of TRB sponsor organizations, the following are eligible to receive complimentary webinar registration:

• TRB and National Academies employees;
• Chairs of TRB standing committees, sections, or groups;
• CRP panel members who were involved with developing the report or project that is the subject of the webinar;
• Members of the media;
• Employees of tribal governments; and
• Members of Congress or their staff.

Other sites must pay $49 per site. View our pricing page for details.

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.


Registration questions? Contact Reggie Gillum at RGillum@nas.edu.