Phase 1 - Identification and ranking of environmental issues
Phase 2 - Create federal, state and local partnerships and develop community-based action plans that tailor solutions to local conditions

The ranking took place during Phase 1. During this phase, the project's core scientific staff presented their research on the 21 identified environmental issues during an Environmental Summit. At this summit, the Public Advisory Committee (PAC) completed Health, Ecological, and Quality of Life risk rankings. In a subsequent meeting, the PAC produced a comprehensive, Integrated Ranking.

All of the above stakeholder groups had representatives on the Public Advisory Committee or the projects core staff.