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X R. D. Gamblin VIS1A ffrr& /Upiscf^ VVV 000012059 Mongoven, Biscoe & Duch Public Affairs 300 Metropolitan Square 635 Fifteenth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 October 17, 1988 Telephone (202) 639-4080 Telecopy (202) 347-6109 John D. Burns President and CEO Vista Chemical Company 15990 North Barker's Landing Road Houston, TX 77079 Dear Mr. Bums s The National Toxics Campaign (NTC) is a coalition of more than 300 local and national activist organizations which targets companies that utilize, produce or dispose of toxics. The Campaign, headquartered in Boston, is an independent, free-standing organization which works closely with other major national organizations such as the Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste, the Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), Citizen Action, and Clean Water Action. As a corporate manager with top-level responsibility it is imperative that you and your staff become thoroughly familiar with the NTC. Chances are NTC is becoming thoroughly familiar with your firm, including in particular your local facilities and sites. NTC provides extensive and in-depth training to citizen and grassroots environmental activist groups. Its 800-plus page organizing and training manual prescribes tactics to mobilize other groups and particularly the news media against corporate targets, e.g. by using mothers and children who are victims of cancer in media events at toxic sites. Although troublesome enough, these and other headline grabbing tactics -- such as placing dead fish in the safety deposit boxes of corporations' bankers, haunting the personal lives of CEO's, and staging local rallies -- are not the activities deserving your most critical longer-term attention. Influencing legislation and public policy to the detriment of corporations is NTC's real threat. VVV 000012060 2 According to John O'Connor, NTC's executive director and national organizer, the organization believes that "toxic chemicals and waste are the nation's number one hidden health problem." NTC believes that the United States currently "over produces and over-uses very dangerous, largely untested, synthetic chemicals." O'Connor has written that: The hard question is not 'How do we solve the toxics crisis?' but rather, 'How do we as organized Americans, reshape corporate behavior and the regulatory system to get reasonable solutions put into action?' In one of its publications, NTC claims that the solution to the "toxics crisis" lies with: . . . transforming an industry (chemical) that produces too many dangerous synthetic products into one that produces safer, more socially useful materials and products. (emphasis added) NTC hopes this transformation of industry will make the environment safer and eliminate "the more than 100,000 deaths that are attributed to occupational exposure each year." Because the environmental activist movement is once again surging forward -- better organized, better funded, and better managed than ever before -- our firm has prepared for limited distribution a study and analysis of the NTC's organization, objectives and tactics. The NTC seeks, for example, the legal right to enter and inspect your facilities and file officially recognized reports of alleged violations with the EPA. Mongoven, Biscoe and Duchin, Inc. (MBD) is a Washington, D.C.-based issue analysis and public affairs consulting firm. One of several services we provide clients is a continuous flow of thoughtfully processed and analyzed information on activist and consumer movements which affect corporate planning, marketing, public policy strategies, and ultimately corporate profits. Our expertise is focused on environmental issues, biotechnology, animal rights, and health and nutrition. Our clients typically are major multinational corporations. Enclosed is an order form for MBD's analysis of The National Toxics Campaign. It is thorough and current. A copy of the table of contents is also enclosed. We believe that a precise understanding of the NTC is vital to senior corporate management at this time and that MBD's analysis provides the critical insights required as a basis for effective corporate response. VVV 000012061 3 Please return the order form now. The report will be sent promptly by Federal Express when your order is received and our invoice for $425.00 will follow. We hope you will also find interesting the enclosed descriptive material about MBD and the services we can provide to you. Sincerely, Alvin B. Biscoe Executive Vice President enclosures: Order Form Table of Contents -- NTC Report MBD Profile Issue Intelligence System Wv 00l2062 Table of Contents Executive Summary Part I - History of a Movement National Toxics Campaign Origins of the National Toxics Campaign page 1 page 3 page 3 page 4 Part II - Key Issues, Goals and Objectives NTC Objectives Key Program Part III - How to Run Anti-Corporate Campaigns NTC's Method of Operation Strategy and Tactics Other Tactics Part IV - Leadership Professional Staff Scientific Consultants Board of Directors Part V - Funding and Membership Funding Sources Membership Information Part VI - Ongoing and Future Activities Chemical Industry Responsibility Project Future Campaigns Ongoing Campaigns Chevron International Paper Conoc o-duPont (CHIRP) Part VII - Conclusions Tab A: Citizen's Platform Tab B: Affiliated Organizations of the NTC Clean Water Action Project Citizen Action U.S. Public Interest Research Groups Citizen's Clearinghouse on Hazardous Waste Corporate Campaigns Tab C: Listing of Endorsing Organizations Copjti&t 1988 Maagovca, Bbeoe A Bochin, lac. page 7 page 7 page 8 page 14 page 14 page 16 page 20 page 21 page 21 page 24 page 25 page 27 page 27 page 28 page 29 page 29 page 30 page 31 page 31 page 32 page 32 page 33 page 35 page 45 page 46 page 48 page 50 page 53 page 55 page 57 Vvy 0000.1 2063 TO: Alvin B. Biscoe Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin, 300 Metropolitan Square 655 Fifteenth Street/ N.W. Washington/ D.C. 20005 Inc. (Date) I am interested in the following: (Please check appropriate items) Please send us by express mail MBD's study and analysis of the National Toxic Campaigns' organization, objectives, and tactics. My company will pay $425 for the report upon receipt of an invoice. (The fee of $425 includes all handling and postage.) . _______ Please send me additional information about Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin, Inc. and its services. I am particularly interested in the issues checked below. -. Please call me at ( ) _. Please type or print (Name) (Title) (Company) (Street Address) (City, State, Zip) r Signature Issues of Interest: ( ) Solid Waste ( ) Toxic Waste ( ) Groundwater Pollution ( ) Incineration ( ) Acid Rain ( ) Ozone Depletion ( ) Recycling ( ) SARA Title III ( ) Airborne Emissions ( ) Environmental Activists ( ) Pesticides ( ) Other VVV 000012064 MBD Profile Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin, Inc. (MBD) is a public affairs firm specializing in issue management. It helps clients counter movements for change in public policy which would adversely affect their business. Forces for change usually include activist and public interest groups, churches, unions and/or academia. MBD develops comprehensive strategic plans for clients which analyze the motivations and tactics of the forces behind each movement and set forth programs to resolve the issues in an ethical and responsible manner. MBD is comprised of individuals with extensive experience in dealing with political issues and in interaction with activist and public interest groups, churches and other organizations which seek changes in public policy or maintain positions in opposition to our clients' interests. We understand the dynamics of activism in the public policy process and are experienced in developing strategies to achieve ethical and lasting solutions to, or at least minimize the consequences of, the problems caused our clients by organizations, leaders and opinion molders in these sectors of society. As a company MBD is committed to the concept that it is critical to know who the current and potential players are in the public policy process, to know and understand their strategies and to understand the relative importance of each. To this end MBD maintains extensive files on individuals and organizations (all from public sources) and is able to provide timely information and assessment of their activities and plans. This is simply public policy intelligence, similar to market intelligence or technical expertise. In addition to providing information on and assessment of the activities of these organizations, MBD provides strategic advice on how to deal with them on a day-to-day basis. MBD believes that the best way to achieve difficult publicpolicy objectives is through the development and implementation of a strategic plan which establishes routes to that objective. The firm specializes in developing strategic plans for its clients and is available to participate in the implementation of strategies. The principals of MBD are well versed in the public policy development process and have worked closely with the CEOs and top officials of major multinational corporations as well as national political leaders and opinion molders in addressing issues. WV 000012065 Mongoven, Biscoe & Duchin, Inc. Suite 300 655 Fifteenth SU, NW Washington, D.C. 20005 MBD Issue Intelligence Purpose The principal objective of MBD's Issue Intelligence System is to collect, process and analyze information from activist and other corporate critics so that it can be used by issue managers and communicators in accordance with public affairs, communica tions or other strategic programs. The continuous flow of intelligence produced by our system provides an in-depth understanding of issues and the individuals, groups and other critics behind those issues. Our focus is on forces which oppose a company or industry on the basis of an issue or issues by means of social, economic or legislative pressures. Implementation Information on influential activists, international organ izations, and networks as well as state, municipal and grassroots organizations is continuously gathered, analyzed, disseminated and updated. This enables client and MBD professionals to identify reasonable and appropriate points of contact for con structive dialogue as well as to provide forewarning of obstacles to be avoided in order to achieve maximum benefit from an overall strategic plan. Intelligence produced by our system becomes the basis for effective decision making and continuing refinement of public policy objectives. The system is designed with flexibi lity so it can complement the existing research and tracking capabilities of our clients. Profiles of all groups identified as opposing the best interests of a client or industry include an analysis of the organization's public and private goals, tactics, structure, political orientation, sources of support and potential influ ence. Relationships and networking between critic groups are identified to clarify the strengths and weaknesses of campaigns and movements arrayed against our client. Profiles of activist leaders and critics provide the individual's professional back ground which help determine who can be approached and how. We achieve these results through a dedicated staff of professional analysts who use the most current systems of infor mation technology. Our team functions by: a. Conducting research on personalities and organizations using background data on activist and consumer groups from our existing files and from sources such as public and gov ernment libraries, computer research data bases and the open press. 000012066 Mongoven, Blscoe & Duchin, lac. Suite 300 655 Fifteenth SL, NW Washington, D.C. 20005 2 b. Attending conferences, seminars, rallies, meetings and other functions sponsored by critic groups or where their spokespersons are participating as speakers or panelists. c. Monitoring the activities of influential national organi zations, associations and others, where resolutions, action plans and press statements may be issued which may have an impact on the client's critical issues. d. Establishing and maintaining contact with critic and other organizations. e. Processing and analyzing information on organizations, individuals and events through an established information gathering and reporting system, from client sources and from our associates located throughout the United States and abroad. f. Subscribing to, reading and reviewing newsletters and other literature published by critic groups and following up with interviews and further contact with key leadership and staff personnel. g. Interacting with activist networks. h. Validating the client's information and intelligence. The MBD analytical team provides periodic briefings on the status, objectives and plans of activists, critics and others who are significant to understanding critical issues. Briefings which we conduct for the client include specific recommendations for strategy and tactics to counter and minimize activist initia tives . Organization MBD's analytical team consists of full-time qualified research analysts working under the supervision of a highly experienced director. The team provides continuous intelligence support and quickly responds to requests for information and further analysis. All functions of the team are guided by the requirements of the client and MBD senior strategists who are experienced in developing and implementing action programs. The analytical team divides and integrates its work for maximum efficiency and coverage of issues. Each team member is highlyqualified, experienced and thoroughly proficient in communicating effectively with the corporate, legislative and activist commun ities . Integration with Strategy VVV 000012067 The overall objective of the MBD Issue Intelligence System is to support the client's objectives and strategy by providing a highly sophisticated intelligence data base and a reporting system which will enhance the decision making process. TO: R. D. Gamblin Interoffice Communication FROM: DATE: SUBJ: T. G. Grumbles October 21, 1988 PROGRESS REPORT VISTA Below is a summary of the Biomedical and Environmental Affairs Department's activities for the last two weeks. 1. A review and critique of a Monsanto paper to be presented at the Aachen LAS conference was held. 2. Assisted Blane in getting expedited disposal of hazardous waste. 3. Advised Aberdeen regarding impact of the proposed Toxicity characteristic on their waste disposal practices. 4. Reviewed air permit situation at KMCO. 5. Drafted Environmental Careers Team recommendations for review. 6. A sample of Dispal Alumina Sol (pH4) was sent to Stillmeadow Labs for toxicity testing. 7. New Material Safety Data Sheets for Aqueous Aluminum Chloride, Muriatic Acid, SA-597, SA-697 and SA-5797 were completed using the new library system. These will be issued in draft form for review. 8. MMG attended Ammerman Media training. 9. EPA finalized the underground storage tank regulations. The regulations call for leak detection methods and devices for existing tanks with a ten year phased-in replacement of these tanks. ~/V 4' T. G. Grumbles dlj vw 000012066