Several project objectives were also identified:

- to quantitatively and qualitatively characterize the relative risks (using existing data and studies) of identified problems to human health, ecological systems, and the impacts they may have on socioeconomic welfare, or the quality of life in Texas;
- to rank and prioritize environmental problems based on their estimated risks and public values;
- to encourage the development of partnerships among citizens, industry, government agencies and environmental groups to solve environmental problems;
- to provide for increased public participation in the environmental decision-making processes; and
- to produce information and documentation for general public education regarding the nature of environmental risks.

Phase 1 - Risk assessment and ranking
Phase 2 - Risk management

The ranking took place during Phase 1. During this phase, three Technical Workgroups (Ecological, Human Health, and Socioeconomic) constructed separate rankings of the environmental issues identified by the Public Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC integrated these three rankings based upon the Technical Workgroup reports and additional information contributed by PAC members. After constructing a preliminary ordinal ranking, based upon paired-voting, the PAC decided that consensus was best reached by categorical ranking, leading to the PAC Final Ranking.

All of the above stakeholder groups had representatives on at least one of the Technical Workgroups or the Public Advisory Committee. While the General Public were not directly involved in the ranking process, their input was sought for the subsequent risk management phase (Phase 2).