A Public Advisory Group (PAG) differs in context from that of a Community Advisory Panel (CAP). While a CAP serves at least one physical facility (such as an operations plant) for an unspecified length of time, a PAG's focus is narrower. The Public Advisory Group convenes to discuss the remediation and redevelopment of a former facility and will disband once redevelopment issues are resolved. The PAG is not concerned with on-going manufacturing issues and interacts with a project manager, rather than a plant manager.

The Public Advisory Group acts as a community sounding board, providing citizen feedback and input on redevelopment issues. PAG meetings are held at least quarterly; in which members not only voice their opinions and concerns, but learn about the remediation and redevelopment process as well. The education of members allows them to act as effective liaisons between FMC and the community of South Charleston. The Public Advisory Group's mission statement is, "To ultimately participate in the development of a land use plan for the former East Plant site."

In 1999, a field trip found PAG members visiting once-contaminated and unusable sites that had been redeveloped and returned to productive use. On August 6-7, South Charleston PAG members visited 3 redevelopment sites in Pittsburgh, where they were given an opportunity to view remedial technologies in action. This educational trip provided the group with a heightened awareness of the outcome of a program such as VRRDA. Members were able to see different sites in progress and compare it to the East Plant site.

FMC East Plant Public Advisory Group Members

Pictured Above: Mark Scott, Sarah Scott, Tom Kittredge, Bill Granville, Jim Bodamer, Denise Hight, Bob Peters, Marjo Carpenter, Joe Dawley, Ed Perry, Ann Bradley, Janet Brubaker, Robin Ollis, Phyllis Fenwick, Richard Sargent, Judy Sargent, Cheryl Bodamer, Bill Currey, Marianne Brockwell, David Hight, Tiffany Ellis, Edith O'Donovan, Danny O'Donovan, Jay Brubaker, Louise Goode, Bill Goode, John Fenwick, Wanita Walton, Bill Walton, Denise Hall, Cindy Wegman, Rick Wegman, Jonathon Brockwell , Jason Williams