Community Advisory Group (CAG) Charter:
1. The Aliso Canyon Disaster Health Study is to be a robust, multi-faceted examination of the short and long-term health effects on the communities of the north San Fernando Valley, from the unprecedented and largest natural gas and chemical blowout in U.S. History, exposing a potential 1 million plus residents to an unknown number of toxic chemicals; in full consideration of the duration, quantity and combination of known and unknown chemicals released, before, during and after the blowout event
2. A study which is monitored by Community involvement, independently directed, transparent at every level and driven by science not political agendas
3. CAG to provide input to the process and results of these efforts with the expectation and intention t that the study will be the gold standard and definitive study of its kind
CAG’s requirements to ensure its charter objectives are met*:
1. To ensure impacted Community-centric monitoring, the Neighborhood Council elected or appointed CAG members will determine the appropriate number of members and their selection, without the interference of LA Co DPH or any other public agency
2. To facilitate full transparency, the CAG is an equal partner with all entities involved in the study now and in the future, including representation within but not limited to the Steering Committee and Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC)
3. The SOC structure shall be designed to eliminate any impression of political agenda by having 8 reasonably qualified, independent, science-based members endorsed, but not selected, by the CAG/Community in addition to the 7 appointed by the State, County or City
A. Also, the Community-endorsed SOC members will have majority voting rights regardless of the actual SOC member count
i. For example, if there are only 4 Community-endorsed members, then each shall have 2 votes or a majority 8 vs 7
4. Regular updates from the Steering Committee and the SOC on progress of issues
5. CAG to be provided by LA Co DPH, satisfactory legal representation and indemnification from any legal matters taken against LA Co DPH, the CAG and/or any
organizations hired by LA Co DPH on behalf of the CAG or the study
6. Town Halls – to address the trust issues and facilitate necessary input among the impacted Community:
a. LA Co DPH to hold several open format Public Town Halls (non-Brown Act meetings) with and in the impacted communities to address the lingering lack of trust among the residence of LA Co DPH; and to outline the process of the Health Study, CAG’s role, address what assurances the Community should have with LA Co DPH’s ability to meet the charter objectives stated above
b. CAG to hold several open format Public Town Halls with and in the impacted communities (non-Brown Act meetings) to facilitate input from the Community of what health concerns they have and wish to have included in the long-term health study
7. CAG is provided at LA Co DPH’s expense, all reasonable, mutually agreed upon, necessary support to accomplish stated charter objectives, such as: Community outreach activities, town halls, web-supported data gathering, clerical support, facilitation of our choosing, etc.
*This list will likely expand as we move forward