Comparative Risk: What Makes a Successful Project

The comparative risk process brings together diverse stakeholders to reach a consensus on which environmental problems pose the most risk to human health, ecosystem health and quality of life. In addition, comparative risk seeks to develop a consensus on an action plan to reduce those risks. Over the last ten years, almost forty states, tribes, and localities have initiated or completed a comparative risk project. What have we learned from these experiences, and are there some general characteristics of projects that can help to ensure success?