Environmental Justice: A Primer Environmental Justice in the 21st Century: Building Healthy, Sustainable and Equitable Communities National

Black Law Students Association

February 8, 2012 Mustafa Ali EPA Office of Environmental Justice

Movements in the United States

Deliberative Pre-decisional Communication Not Administration Policy- Do not release

Scenes of Injustice

MOVEMENTS

PROGRESS

What is your definition of environmental justice?

EPA Defines Environmental Justice As

the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

EJ means that everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, work, play and pray.

What is Fair Treatment?

Fair treatment will be achieved when, in an effort to provide healthy and sustainable communities for all people, everyone enjoys the same:
Human health and environmental benefits Human health and environmental burdens
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Face of Environmental Injustice: Disproportionate Impact Factors

Proximity and Exposure

Cumulative Impacts

Physical Infrastructure

Susceptible Populations

Unique Exposure Pathways

Ability to Participate in DecisionMaking (social capital)

WARREN COUNTY: THE BEGINNING OF A MOVEMENT

PEOPLE OF COLOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMIT

The Summit established Principles of Environmental Justice

First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit October 24-27, 1991 Washington, DC

Presidential Action
Executive Order 12898
Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations
Issued by Pres. Bill Clinton on Feb. 11, 1994 Directed federal agencies to consider environmental justice in their programs and policy decision Established the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice

Office of Environmental Justice

The Office of Environmental Justice was created in 1992 Build commitment and capacity of the agency on environmental justice Foster outreach between EPA and affected communities Coordinate EJ efforts across agency
10 Regional EJ coordinators EJ coordinators in each national program office, (i.e. superfund, brownfields, air, water)

How Is EPA Integrating EJ Into Its Programs Plan EJ 2014

Roadmap for EPA to integrate EJ into its programs
Goals: Protect health in communities overburdened by pollution Empower communities to take action to improve their health and environment Establish partnerships with local, state, tribal and federal organizations to achieve healthy and sustainable communities.

Rulemaking Permitting Enforcement and Compliance Community Based Action Administration Wide Action
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Administrative Action Through the EJ IWG

The Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ IWG) was established in 1994 under Executive Order (EO) 12898 The role of the EJ IWG is to guide, support and enhance federal environmental justice and community-based activities. The EJ IWG is comprised of 17 federal agencies and several White House offices.

Reinvigorating the EJ IWG

August 2011 MOU on EO 12898

Formalizes the commitment to EJ across the federal government Signed by 17 federal agencies and offices
EJ strategies updated by federal agencies

Tools and Resources

EJ Small Grants Program
Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program Brownfields Grants

Urban Waters
CARE Model

HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership for Sustainable Communities

Mission: To meet Presidents challenge for our agencies to work together to encourage and fully assist rural, suburban, and urban areas to build sustainable communities

Guiding Principles for HUD-DOT-EPA Partnership 1. 2. 3. Provide more transportation choices. Promote equitable, affordable housing. Enhance economic competitiveness. Support existing communities. Coordinate policies and leverage investment. Value communities and neighborhoods.

4. 5.
6.

Developing more sustainable communities is important to our national goals of strengthening our economy, creating good jobs using energy more efficiently to secure energy independence, and protecting our natural environment and human health.

EJ Showcase Communities
Integrated Planning Project, Community Health Center, Neighborhood-IndustryLocal Government Exchange Forums, Data Gathering

EPA Region 4, Jacksonville, FL

EPA Region 1, Bridgeport, CT

Success Story: Bridgeport, CT

Players: HUD, DOT, EPA, state & local government, NGOs Outcomes: programs to improve indoor air quality encourage green jobs in the community increase recycling rates, increase access to the natural environment, address food insecurity, and reduce asthma and toxic exposure in schools and homes. 30 Million leveraged in benefits to the community

Building Health, Sustainable and Equitable Communities

One Day All Communities Will Be Treated Equally!