Developing new models for community engagement and environmental management.

• Position: CLF VENTURES IN ACTION:

CLF VENTURES IS WORKING ON AN INITIATIVE with Omya, Inc. in Florence, Vermont to improve relations with the local community. Omya processes calcium carbonate, a mineral used in paper, paint, food and many other products.

Over the past 11 months, CLF Ventures has helped Omya establish three local community advisory groups. These "Community Issue Teams" work with interested community members to identify and cooperatively address specific impacts of Omya's operations. The teams include neighbors, local business owners, civic and political leaders and are led by Omya staff. Each of the three teams has a specific area of focus--trucks and transportation, plant operations and quarry operations. All three teams are up and running and have involved nearly 30 members of the community.

The Issue Teams act as a resource for local residents to better understand Omya's operations through a process that enhances communication between the company and its neighbors. These Issue Teams also enable Omya to comprehend and respond to residents' concerns and further involve these individuals in Omya's existing and...