United States Office of Solid Waste and OSWER 9200.3-19 Environmental Protection Emergency Response PB95-963238 Agency Washington, DC 20460 EPA540/R-95/057 May 1995 v>EPA waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report Chicago, ------- Table of Contents About This Report v Acronym List vii Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues 1 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act 3 \^ Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways 9 H) Geographic Information System (GIS) 17 ^ Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships 27 \l Economic Redevelopment 43 fy-) Contracts, Grants, and Labor 59 Federal Interagency Cooperation 71 ) Native American/Tribal Issues 83 ^Q Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation 93 ^ Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues 107 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 109 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), or Superfund 143 Oil Pollution Act (OPA) 165 Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) 173 Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention 187 Technology Innovation 197 Federal Facilities 203 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — ------- About This Report About This Report On April 25, 1994, the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) issued the "OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force Draft Final Report." As a result of this report, a major effort was under- taken in EPA's waste programs to address environmental justice concerns. In June 1994, EPA's waste programs developed detailed plans to implement the recommendations of the Task Force Draft Report. Simultaneously, OSWER solicited comments from stakeholders on the Task Force Draft Report, and Head- quarters and the Regions began implementing the activities described in the plans. As comments on the Task Force Draft Report were received, OSWER worked to address them in a final report, the "OSWER Environmental Justice Action Agenda," which is also being released today. This "Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report," is the first report on the progress made by the waste programs in the implementation of the environmental justice initiatives. Much of the progress described in this report has come about through the building of partnerships with other govern- ment entities and with community groups. Specifically, this report provides a brief description of each initiative and ongoing activities, dates for completed milestones to summarize progress, and a contact for each initiative. Initiatives where more progress has been achieved are given special focus. The report is divided into two sections: • Section I, Cross-Cutting Issues, presents initiatives in areas that have implications for all waste pro- grams; and • Section II, Program-Specific Issues, presents initiatives that focus on a particular waste program. Both sections are organized by the major topic areas identified in the Task Force Draft Report and the action items recommended under each major topic area. Because of EPA's integrated and comprehensive approach to addressing environmental justice concerns, there is some overlap of activities between the two sections. For example, initiatives to provide technical assistance under the Native American/Tribal Issues are also found under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program subsection. The companion to this report, the executive summary, highlights the major accomplishments achieved in addressing environmental Justice concerns. X A ' addressing environmental justice concerns. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— v ------- Acronym List Acronym List AA Assistant Administrator ADEQ Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ARCS Alternative Remedial Contracting Strategy ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry AVCP Association of Village Council Presidents BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs BRAC Base Realignment and Closure CA Cooperative Agreement CAG Community Advisory Group CAMEO Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations CDC Centers for Disease Control CDPHE Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment CEPPO Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act CERCLIS CERCLA Information System CRC Community Relations Coordinator CRP Community Relations Plan DERTF Defense Environmental Response Task Force DHA Dallas Housing Authority DHH Denver Department of Health and Hospitals DOD Department of Defense DOE Department of Energy DOI Department of the Interior DOJ Department of Justice DOL Department of Labor DSS Decision Support System EB Environmental Benefits BBS Environmental Baseline Survey EEI Environmental Enterprises Incorporated ECAO Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office EMSL-LV Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas EPA Environmental Protection Agency ERCS Emergency Response Cleanup Services Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — vii ------- Acronym List ERRS ESS ECEZ EQB EZ/EC FACA FAR FFERDC FFW FOSL FRP FTE FUSRAP GIN CIS GPS HHS HLA HMTRI HRS HSRC-S&SW HUD HWD IAG ICO IMS ITEC LEPC LERC LUST MAP MDNR MHD MOU Emergency and Rapid Response Services Enforcement Support Services Enterprise Community Empowerment Zone Enviornmental Quality Board Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities Federal Advisory Committee Act Federal Acquisition Regulations Federal Facilities Environmental Restoration Dialogue Committee Federal Field Workgroup Finding of Suitability to Lease Facility Review Plan Full-Time Equivalent Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program Grants Integration Network Geographic Information System Geographic Positioning System Department of Health and Human Services Hawaii Lai'ieikawai Association Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute Hazard Ranking System Hazardous Substance Research Center - South & Southwest Department of Housing and Urban Development Hazardous Waste Division Interagency Agreement Interfaith Community Organization Indian Health Services Inter-Tribal Environmental Council Local Emergency Planning Committee Local Emergency Response Cites Leaking Underground Storage Tank Medical Assistance Plan Missouri Department of National Resources Massachusetts Highway Department Memorandum of Understanding vill — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Acronym List MSWLF Municipal Solid Waste Landfill NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAV Native Alaskan Village NCAPS National Corrective Action Prioritization System NEJAC National Environmental Justice Advisory Council NFRAP No Further Remedial Action Planned NHSRC Northeast Hazardous Substance Research Center NIEHS National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences NJDEP New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection NMED New Mexico Environment Department NOV Notice of Violation NPL National Priorities List NRC National Recycling Congress NYCDEP New York City Department of Environmental Protection OCR Office of Civil Rights OEJ Office of Environmental Justice OERR Office of Emergency and Remedial Response OGC Office of General Counsel OMB Office of Management and Budget OPA Oil Pollution Act OPM Office of Policy and Management ORC Office of Regional Counsel ORCRA Office of RCRA ORD Office of Research and Development OSC On-Scene Coordinator OSDBU Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization OSW Office of Solid Waste OSWER Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OUST Office of Underground Storage Tanks PA Preliminary Assessment PADER Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyl PHS Public Health Service Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — ix ------- Acronym List PEB Performance Evaluation Board POEP Pueblo Office of Environmental Protection RAB Restoration Advisory Board RAC Remedial Action Contract RASC Rural Alaska Sanitation Coalition RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act RCRIS RCRA Information System RDT Regional Decision Team REPA RCRA Enforcement Permitting Assistance RFA Request for Applications RFEF RCRA Facility Evaluation Form RIP RCRA Implementation Plan RMA Rocky Mountain Arsenal ROC Regional Oversight Contract RPIM RCRA Public Involvement Manual RPM Remedial Project Manager SACM Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model SAT Site Assessment Team SBA Small Business Administration SBDC Small Business Development Center SBIC Small Business Investment Company SEDESOL Mexican Equivalent of U.S. EPA SEE Senior Environmental Employee SEP Supplemental Environmental Projects SERC State Emergency Response Commission SI Site Investigation SOW Scope of Work SPA State Program Approval SPC Science Policy Council SPCC Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure SRPB/BBS State and Regional Programs Branch Bulletin Board System SSAB Site-Specific Advisory Board START Superfund Technical and Response Team SWS Solid Waste Section x — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Acronym List TAG Technical Assistance Grant TCE Trichloroethylene TEP Technical Evaluation Plan TERC Tribal Emergency Planning Committee TIO Technology Innovation Office TOSC Technical Outreach Support Centers TRC Technical Review Committee TSD Treatment, Storage, and Disposal USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture UST Underground Storage Tank VISTA Volunteers in Service to America WMD Waste Management Division WTI Waste Technologies Industries Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — xi ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice MMMMMHMM^MM^MM Cross-Cutting Issues ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 3 ------- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Topic Area: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Develop a strategy to respond effectively to environmental justice complaints 7 Office of Solid Waste 7 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 5 ------- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Topic Area: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act Action Item Develop a strategy to respond effectively to environmental justice complaints. Office of Solid Waste The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) is working with the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to produce a guidance document for the EPA Regions to use in addressing Title VI environmental justice issues related to the Re- source Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program. OCR has primary respon- sibility for EPA's implementation of Title VI, including the investigation of complaints that are submitted. The guidance document will describe the Title VI requirements, outline available options within RCRA statutory authority to prevent and respond to environmental justice concerns in permitting decisions, describe the response that Regions should take in response to a Title VI complaint, and discuss Headquarters and Regional responses to the loss of a Title VI complaint. Monthly meetings are currently taking place to develop the contents of the guidance document. Completed Milestones 5/94 Held a kick-off meeting with OGC, OSW, and OCR. Contact Hugh Davis, (202) 260-0163 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 7 ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 9 ------- Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways Support Agency-wide efforts to develop scientifically valid standards for measuring cumulative risk 13 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response ; 13 Region 3 13 Region? 14 Region 9 14 Region 10 15 Evaluate health effects in communities with potential exposure to hazardous substances 15 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 15 Region! 16 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 11 ------- Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways Topic Area: Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways Action Item Support Agency-wide efforts to develop scientifically valid standards for mea- suring cumulative risk. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) continues to partici- pate in the Science Policy Council's (SPC) effort to improve and expand EPA's risk assessments by addressing multiple sources and pathways, Synergistic effects, cumu- lative exposure, and environmental justice. The SPC Subgroup on Multipathway- Multisource Human Exposure has outlined the tasks, with proposed time frames, nec- essary to move toward achieving this goal. OSWER is also working with the Office of Research and Development (ORD) in studies to evaluate cumulative risk by relating human exposure to chemical mixtures to epidemiological human health data for de- fined environmental justice populations/communities. In addition, OSWER continues to work with the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Health and Research Subcommittee in dealing with the issue of cumulative risk. Contact Warren Banks, (202) 260-4622 Region 3 Cumulative risks may be the result of exposures to single or multiple contaminants from one or more sources. OSWER and other Agency programs generally consider site-specific risks without considering current exposure to other (non site-specific) pollution sources. Region 3 initiated a major study of environmental risk potentially affecting the health of residents of Chester, Pennsylvania. Participants in the study include the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADER), Dela- ware County, and Chester County. Participants from the community have been en- gaged to assist the Region by providing input to the study. The final study was com- pleted on January 25,1995, and is presently undergoing an internal peer review. In order to explore cumulative risk issues, Region 3 is also funding a study of South/ Southwest Philadelphia. Funding for this project became available with the passing of the fiscal year 1995 EPA budget where $423,000 was allocated to Region 3 to perform the study. Johns Hopkins University was awarded the grant in January 1995 to per- form the study with significant involvement from the local community groups. Completed Milestones 1/95 Completed final draft of Chester study and initiated internal peer review. 1/95 Awarded grant to Johns Hopkins University. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 13 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Contacts Patrick Anderson, (215) 597-2393 (Chester study) Len Mangiaracina, (215) 597-6666 (Philadelphia study) Region 7 To support Agency-wide efforts to develop scientifically valid standards to measure cumulative risk, the Region 7 Superfund Branch has developed and distributed lan- guage to Region 7 Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) explaining that cumulative risk arises from exposures to multiple chemicals and exposures to releases from a Superfund site and other sources of environmental pollution. This language is to be used in all risk assessments, records of decision, and other documents containing in- formation on EPA Region 7 Superfund sites. In coordination with Headquarters, the Region sought specific direction on how to incorporate cumulative risk factors into risk assessments. Completed Milestones 6/94 Presented draft of cumulative risk language to the Region 7 Environmen- tal Justice Workgroup. 6/94 Initiated coordination with Headquarters on cumulative risk. 9/94 Sent memorandum to RPMs with language explaining cumulative risk. Contact David Crawford, (913) 551-7702 Region 9 Region 9 is providing oversight of an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) environmental justice pilot project funded by a grant from Headquarters. The pilot project will be used to support Agency efforts to develop scientifically valid standards to measure cumulative risk. The initial phase of the pilot project is a quali- tative assessment to identify emissions impacting a low-income minority community in Southwest Phoenix that face multiple sources of risk. A future phase of the pilot project will entail a strategy for addressing the identified hazards. ADEQ has re- cruited a project manager and developed a draft community participation plan, formed a community-based committee to help guide the project, and has begun gathering and compiling data. ADEQ has also identified the concise project area and is scheduled to complete data acquisition and compilation in July 1995. Completed Milestones 6/94 Awarded grant to ADEQ for environmental justice pilot project. 10/94 Formed community-based committee to guide project. 12/94 Completed community participation plan. 14 —Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways Contact Karen Scheuermann, (415) 744-2068 In addition, Region 9 has undertaken an assessment to analyze cumulative risks. The project will analyze all States in the Region for demographics, race, and potential/ measured sources of pollution. The goal of the project is to locate those communities impacted by numerous sources of pollution, but receiving insufficient attention from agencies to address these hazards. The Region chose pilot communities and devel- oped an outreach plan. Completed Milestones 2/95 Selected pilot communities and developed outreach plan. Contacts Nancy Nadel, (415) 744-2043 Karen Scheuermann, (415) 744-2068 Region 1O Region 10 risk assessors are continuing to participate in the Agency Science Policy Steering Committee and the Risk Assessment Forum to determine guidance for cumu- lative risk. Region 10 risk assessors are also participating in an assessment of cumula- tive risk to Native Americans on the Columbia River. The data from this assessment will be used to define exposure limits for all Regional actions. An initial draft of the quality assurance project plan has been written and is currently under internal review. Completed Milestones 3/95 Participated in periodic Agency Science Policy Steering Committee and the Risk Assessment Forum. 3/95 Completed draft quality assurance project plan of the "Assessment of Chemical Contaminants in Fish Consumed by Four Native American Tribes in the Columbia River Basin" for internal review. Contact Pat Cirone, (206) 553-1597 Action Item Evaluate health effects in communities with potential exposure to hazardous substances. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response In the summer of 1994, EPA requested assistance from the Public Health Service (PHS) to respond to the health concerns of communities living near hazardous waste sites. Health concerns included improving delivery of existing medical services to commu- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 15 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues nities with potential exposures to hazardous substances and building environmental health expertise in communities through physician training and placement. In response to these concerns, the Medical Assistance Project (MAP) was developed. The purpose of the MAP is to enhance communities' access to appropriate health services in in- stances where contact with hazardous substances may have occurred. MAP is coordi- nated by the Superfund Medical Assistance Coordination Group and is being imple- mented by various PHS agencies in cooperation with EPA, State and local health de- partments, local health care providers, and members of communities living near haz- ardous waste sites. A pilot initiative which will provide important information about the costs, extent of use of the health services, and the impacts of these services on communities is underway at the Del Amo/Montrose Superfund site, Torrance, Califor- nia; Newsom Brothers Superfund site, Columbia, Mississippi; Tuscon Airport Superfund site, Tuscon, Arizona; and the Southern Wood Piedmont site, Augusta, Georgia. Completed Milestones 1/95 Announced funding for Del Amo/Montrose facility. 2/95 Presented Draft MAP to Superfund Medical Assistance Coordination Group. Contact Greg Mertz, (202) 260-5714 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Federal Interagency Cooperation topic area.] Region 2 Region 2 and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) began a study of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe to evaluate potential health effects resulting from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). The study was funded by a Federal grant to the New York Department of Health. Region 2 coordinated the effort with ATSDR and provided a peer review of the study. The report is titled "PCBs from Toxic Waste in a Population of Native Americans." It is anticipated that further activities with the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe may occur. Region 2 will continue to be involved in coordination and peer review efforts with ATSDR on the study of potential impacts of PCB exposures to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. Completed Milestones 1/95 Completed "PCBs from Toxic Waste in a Population of Native Ameri- cans" report. Contact Lisa Carson-Jackson, (212) 637-4274 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Federal Interagency Cooperation topic area.] 16 —Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Geographic Information System (GIS) Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 17 ------- Geographic Information System Geographic Information System Develop compatible and appropriate Agency-wide approaches to using GIS to address potential environmental justice concerns 21 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 21 Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office 21 Office of Solid Waste 21 Region 1 21 Region 2 21 Region 3 22 Region 4 23 Region 5 24 Region 6 24 Region 7 24 RegionS 25 Region 9 25 Region 10 26 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 19 ------- Geographic Information System Topic Area: Geographic Information System (GIS) Action Item Develop compatible and appropriate Agency-wide approaches to using GIS to address potential environmental justice concerns. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) used GIS technology, LandView, and 1990 census data to categorize demographic and median income char- acteristics of populations living around National Priorities List (NPL) sites. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Comprehensive Environmental Re- sponse, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) topic area.] Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office The Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO) is preparing to distribute LandView, the CD-ROM reference atlas that combines maps with demo- graphic and economic census data along with EPA facility databases. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CEPPO topic area.] Office of Solid Waste The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) has developed a GIS application, called the Deci- sion Support System (DSS), jointly with the Environmental Monitoring Systems Labo- ratory in Las Vegas (EMSL-LV). [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) topic area.] Region 1 Region I used GIS data and census data to prioritize high National Corrective Action Prioritization System (NCAPS) Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) facilities to determine the appropriate course of corrective action. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the RCRA topic area.] In addition, Region I has also begun to utilize GIS at Federal Facilities. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Federal Facilities topic area.] Region 2 Region 2 completed pilot studies that identify areas with potential environmental jus- tice concerns in New Jersey and New York. The pilot studies used GIS to demographi- cally map the States for population density, ethnicity, and income. This information Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 21 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues was combined with a modified health-risk formula, developed by Region 6, to graphi- cally display potential environmental justice areas. After peer review of the pilot stud- ies, Region 2 incorporated the study data into the Region's GIS and generated Re- gional demographic maps of New Jersey and New York. In addition to generating the demographic maps, the Region can combine the demographic information from the studies with other program health-risk data (e.g., chemical-specific release data and exposure data); specific geographic data (e.g., roads, streams, and primary aquifer boundaries); and facility data (e.g., hazardous waste sites and other potential pollution sources) in the GIS. The information gained from the pilot studies will also provide RCRA enforcement program personnel with insight into the demographic makeup of a community prior to undertaking inspections or enforcement actions. The Region also used GIS demographic maps to target its inspections for the Long Island Initiative that includes compliance evaluation inspections of 200 facilities in Nassau County and Suffolk County, New York, that are located in areas that pose high risks to Long Island's groundwater. GIS maps helped the Region target its inspections to facilities in areas of environmental justice concern and where the groundwater is most vulnerable. Completed Milestones 5/94 Developed initial pilot study. 6/94 Peer review of pilot study. 9/94 Completed New Jersey pilot study. 10/94 Completed New York pilot study. 10/94 Reviewed New Jersey and New York pilot studies. 11/94 Developed Regional maps of New Jersey and New York for compliance purposes only. 12/94 Identified Long Island facilities to be inspected. 3/95 Completed 80 inspections in Long Island, New York. Contacts Pete Mannino, (212) 637-4158 Harvey Simon, (212) 264-1361 In addition, Region 2 awarded a data management cooperative agreement to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) in September 1994. Under the agreement, NJDEP will continue identifying accurate locations for all regulated facilities in the State using the global positioning satellite and GIS. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Region 3 Region 3 is in the process of obtaining GIS maps for each high NCAPS RCRA facility within the Region. To accomplish this task, the Region verified the locations of Re- gional high NCAPS facilities and completed an evaluation of the demographic model that the Region will use to create the maps. These maps will contain the latest demo- 22 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Geographic Information System graphic data layered with details gathered from various databases (e.g., CERCLA In- formation System (CERCLIS), RCRA Information System (RCRIS)) on program-spe- cific information regarding releases from the facilities. The Region also drafted the RCRA facility evaluation form (RFEF) for gathering more information about NCAPS facilities and is circulating it to RCRA managers for review. The information pro- vided by the maps will help prioritize and identify areas with potential environmental justice concerns for RCRA enforcement action. Completed Milestones 3/94 Verified location of high NCAPS facilities. 3/94 Located site boundaries. 4/94 Drafted RFEF. 4/94 Finished demographic model. Contact Harry Daw, (215)597-3177 Region 3 also is using GIS to aid in identifying the socio-economic makeup of com- munities being assessed under Superfund. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] In addition, Region 3 has completed GIS mapping of NPL sites in the Region to show racial, education, poverty, and population data. The mapping data will allow the Re- gion to visually depict the demographics of Region 3's NPL sites and their surround- ing communities to help identify areas of environmental justice concern. The Superfund Community Relations Branch has started coordinating its community relations activi- ties using the demographic information provided by the GIS maps. Contact James McCreary, (215) 597-7214 Region 4 Using GIS capabilities, Region 4 developed a proactive site discovery program to identify CERCLA sites. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Region 4 also actively uses GIS to determine per capita income levels and minority population in areas surrounding specific CERCLA and RCRA sites. The Region has obtained the necessary equipment and updated the CERCLIS and RCRIS databases that identify CERCLA and RCRA sites and their surrounding communities. Completed Milestones 1/94 Updated database systems. Contact John McKeown, (404) 347-5059 x6166 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 23 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Region 5 Region 5's RCRA and Superfund programs have been working together to coordinate the acquisition and development of GIS capability in the Region's waste management division. Both programs use GIS in targeting the efforts of their respective programs and anticipating potential environmental justice concerns in communities around Re- gion 5 sites and facilities. To support GIS, the Waste Management Division has estab- lished five workstations with graphic capabilities and CD-ROM drives. Completed Milestones 9/94 Purchased CD-ROM drives and Census Bureau map files for RCRA. Contacts Marilyn Millard, (312) 886-6224 Mark Horwitz, (312) 353-9045 Region 6 Region 6 has used GIS to identify installations with environmental justice concerns that have been designated for closure or realignment under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Act. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Federal Facilities topic area.] In addition, Region 6 has utilized GIS to complete the identification of demographics, including minority and income information, surrounding RCRATSD facilities. The region using this information to address environmental justice issues. Completed Milestones 6/94 Contract II approved. 8/94 Deliverable received. 8/94 Completed entry of data I. 9/94 Completed analysis of data I. Contact Bob Wilkinson, (214) 665-8316 Region 7 Region 7 conducted a screening, using GIS in conjunction with CERCLIS, RCRIS, and demographic information (population density, ethnicity, and income), to identify counties that have a high co-occurrence of minority or low-income population, and RCRIS/CERCLIS listings. As a result of this screening, the Region selected St. Louis and St. Louis County as an environmental justice pilot area for more intensive scru- tiny. The Region is working to further refine the analysis of the area to the lowest possible census tract level. The Region has conducted an address matching process to locate RCRA facilities, CERCLA sites, and air emission sources within the pilot area 24 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Geographic Information System and is reviewing the results. When the review is complete, the information gained will be added to the Region's GIS. If the study of the St. Louis area is successful, the Region will investigate six other counties in the Region that may have environmental justice concerns based on the original screening. Completed Milestones 1/94 Selected St. Louis and St. Louis County as an environmental justice pilot area. 11/94 Conducted address matching process. Contact David Doyle, (913) 551-7667 Region 8 Region 8 completed a GIS demonstration map of the metropolitan Denver, Colorado, area. The demonstration map identifies the location of RCRA-regulated facilities and environmental justice focus areas with large minority or low-income populations. The Region will use the maps to delineate areas where enhanced public involvement with RCRA siting and permitting actions may be desired. The Region also is working to update its GIS with current RCRIS data and to complete GIS maps, like those pro- duced for the Denver area, for all areas of Region 8. Completed Milestones 12/94 Completed GIS demonstration map of Denver. Contact Terry Brown, (303) 293-1823 Region 9 Region 9 has undertaken an Assessment Project to identify and create GIS maps of areas with potential environmental justice concerns. The Region developed criteria and parameters for mapping minority and low-income communities and has been in- corporating this information into the Region's GIS. The Assessment Project will ana- lyze all States in the Region for demographics and potential and measured sources of pollution. The goal of the project is to locate communities that are impacted by nu- merous pollution sources but are getting insufficient attention from agencies to ad- dress these hazards. Completed Milestones 2/95 Selected pilot communities. 2/95 Developed outreach plan. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 25 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Contacts Karen Scheuermann, (415) 744-2064 Nancy Nadel, (415) 744-2043 Region 1O Region 10's RCRA program, with the assistance of the Region's Environmental Ser- vices Division, used GIS and census data to identify RCRATSD facilities in Washing- ton, Oregon, and Idaho. In addition, Region 9 aided Region 10 in obtaining latitude and longitude for Region 10 RCRA-regulated large quantity generators, and Region 10 has entered this information into its GIS. The Region plans to use the GIS data, in cooperation with States, to target public outreach and stakeholder meetings for com- munities, evaluate enforcement and compliance priorities in conjunction with State programs, evaluate the timing and priority of corrective action remedies, and incorpo- rate environmental justice concerns into supplemental environmental project (SEP) penalty offsets. In addition, the Region is continuing work on the GIS analysis to include facilities in Alaska. Completed Milestones 9/94 Identified RCRA TSD facilities. 9/94 Obtained latitude/longitude from Region 9. Contact Judy Stone, (206) 553-6524 26 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 27 ------- Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships Issue a directive requiring consideration of environmental justice in all policies, guidances, and regulations 31 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 31 Expand environmental workforce curricula and develop pilots with community colleges, labor organizations, universities, and other worker training groups 31 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 31 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 32 Conduct presentations on environmental justice to establish and maintain communication with the public 32 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 32 Coordinate with the first National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Subcommittee on Waste and Facility Siting to implement the OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force's recommendations for environmental justice 33 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 33 Enter into partnerships to resolve issues that do not fall exclusively under OSWER jurisdiction 33 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 34 Conduct Regional environmental justice public forums 34 Region 4 34 Region 6 35 Use Regional environmental education grants to promote environmental justice education 35 Region 4 35 Regions 36 Develop program-specific and community/minority-specific environmental justice outreach strategies 36 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 36 Office of Solid Waste 36 Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office 37 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 37 Region 1 37 Region 2 37 Regions 37 Region 4 37 RegionS 37 Region 6 38 Region 7 38 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 29 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Regions 38 Region 9 38 Region 10 39 Develop a public education and outreach program for communities likely to have OSWER-related environmental justice concerns 39 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response..... 39 Region 2 39 Region3 40 Region 4 41 Region 6 41 Involve labor groups in environmental justice activities 42 Region 6 42 30 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships Topic Area: Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships Action Item Issue a directive requiring consideration of environmental justice in all policies, guidances, and regulations. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) developed a directive en- titled "Integration of Environmental Justice Into OSWER Policy, Guidance, and Regu- latory Development." The directive requires the consideration of environmental jus- tice in the development of all OSWER policies, guidances, and regulations, including meaningful input from stakeholders at critical points. Completed Milestones 9/94 Issued directive to OSWER employees. Contact Timothy D. Mott, (202) 260-2447 Action Item Expand environmental workforce curricula and develop pilots with community colleges, labor organizations, universities, and other worker training groups. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OSWER has been working with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sci- ences (NIEHS) to develop health and safety training for communities with environ- mental justice concerns. The NIEHS Superfund Worker Training Program has pro- vided safety and health training to over 400,000 workers in high risk occupations dur- ing the past seven years through extramural cooperative agreements with unions, uni- versities, and community colleges. During the past three years, outreach and training have focused on low-income and non-English-speaking populations that are engaged in high-risk work activities. Specifically, safety and health curricula have been modi- fied and translated to reach populations that do not have access to high quality safety and health training. EPA and NIEHS held a technical workshop in Cleveland, Ohio, in January 1995 to examine model programs for training young residents. Completed Milestones 1/95 Conducted a technical workshop with NIEHS in Cleveland, Ohio. 2/95 Applications received. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 31 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Contact Jim Maas, (202) 260-8927 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Federal Interagency Cooperation and the Contracts, Grants, and Labor topic areas.] Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) is designing a pilot pro- gram to provide training to minorities and low-income residents in the hazardous waste cleanup field. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) topic area.] Action Item Conduct presentations on environmental justice to establish and maintain com- munication with the public. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response In a continuing effort to build and maintain an open dialogue with the public on envi- ronmental justice issues, OSWER senior management appeared at numerous speaking engagements and established lines of communications with a diverse group of stake- holders. Completed Milestones Conducted presentations on environmental justice to the following groups: 12/93 National Church of Christ Environmental Justice Summit 2/94 Environmental Justice Symposium on Health Effects 4/94 Environmental Justice Constituent Briefing 4/94 American Bar Association Forum on Environmental Justice 5/94 National Tribal Conference on Environmental Justice 6/94 National Association of Attorney Generals 8/94 Blacks in Government National Training Conference 8/94 American Bar Association Forum on Environmental Justice 8/94 Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials 10/94 Hazardous Waste Action Coalition 11/94 Northeast Waste Management Association 11/94 Air and Waste Management Association 32 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships 1/95 Environmental Training for Inner City Youth Technical Workshop Advisory Council 1/95 National Religous Partnership for the Environment 2/95 National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council Contact Marsha Lindsey Minter, (202) 260-6626 Action Item Coordinate with the first National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Subcommittee on Waste and Facility Siting to implement the OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force's recommendations for environmental justice. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OSWER has worked closely with the NEJAC Subcommittee on Waste and Facility Siting to implement the OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force's recommendations and assigned a staff person (e.g., Designated Federal Official) to work with NEJAC on key issues. The Subcommittee provided extensive review and comment on the "OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force Draft Final Report." Many of these comments were incorporated into the revised OSWER environmental justice strategy document, the "OSWER Environmental Justice Action Agenda." OSWER also continued to work with the Subcommittee to address public health issues and economic redevelopment/brownfields issues of affected communities. Addition- ally, OSWER and the Subcommittee continued to work together to develop recom- mendations concerning siting issues. Completed Milestones 8/94 Coordinated agenda topics and participants for the NEJAC meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10/94 Coordinated agenda topics and participants for the Waste and Facility Siting Subcommittee meeting in Washington, D.C. 1/95 Attended NEJAC meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. 3/95 Developed responses to NEJAC comments. Contact Jan Young, (202) 260-1691 Action Item Enter into partnerships to resolve issues that do not fall exclusively under OSWER jurisdiction. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 33 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OSWER entered into a cooperative agreement with the national office of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to examine the per- ceived health effects of inactive and uncontrolled waste sites on certain racially and economically disadvantaged communities. OSWER has been conducting interviews with affected community residents in an ongoing effort to obtain their perceptions of the health effects and risks to the community presented by these sites. Information gathered as a result of this project will enable the 2,200 local branches of the NAACP to add environmental justice to their civil rights agenda, assist in efforts to empower local communities for meaningful participation in environmental decision- making, and allow for more effective dialogue between EPA and community residents on issues of mutual interest. Completed Milestones 1/94 Entered into agreement with the NAACP. 6/94 Conducted interviews in Portsmouth, Virginia. 8/94 Presented workshops for NAACP National Board, State Conference Presidents. 10/94 Presented workshops for NAACP National Board, State Conference Presidents. 11/94 Conducted environmental training class for NAACP Regional Directors, State Conference Executive Directors, and other NAACP officials. 2/95 Conducted interviews in New Orleans, Louisiana. Contact Marsha Lindsey Minter, (202) 260-6626 Action Item Conduct Regional environmental justice public forums. Region 4 Region 4 held a Regional Environmental Justice Forum in May 1994. The forum was open to the public and was well attended by outside interest groups. Information was exchanged on environmental justice initiatives and concerns. Completed Milestones 5/94 Held a Regional environmental justice forum. Contact Eddie Wright, (404) 347-3555 34 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships Region 6 Region 6 developed plans for a joint Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)- Superfund environmental justice public forum in a geographic area with high levels of environmental justice concern/issues as determined through input from various stake- holders. The public forum will take place in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in June 1995. Completed Milestones 6/94 Selected public forum site. Contacts Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 Olivia Rodriguez Balandran, (214) 665-6584 [Note: Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are also in the process of planning environ- mental justice public forums.] Action Item Use Regional environmental education grants to promote environmental justice education. Region 4 Region 4's Office of Environmental Education Grants funds grants for Regional envi- ronmental education. Local education agencies, State education agencies, colleges or universities, and not-for-profit organizations are eligible recipients. The Region awarded six environmental education grants during 1994 for environmental justice-related edu- cation projects. Region 4's Office of Environmental Justice also funded an environmental justice project submitted by Clark-Atlanta University. This project provides a series of workshops and a professional development forum for faculty and students. The series promotes dialogue and exchange of information and ideas regarding strategies for integrating environmental concerns into curricula, community activities, and career preparation. Region 4 will use the curricula developed for this program to promote information exchange and to take advantage of outside training opportunities. Completed Milestones 4/94 Awarded grants for environmental education. 9/94 Awarded grant to Clark-Atlanta University. Contacts Wesley Lambert, (404) 347-3555 (environmental education) Vivian Malone Jones, (404) 347-4294 (Clark-Atlanta University) Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 35 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Region 5 Environmental education grants were developed, in part, to educate communities on environmental issues affecting their communities. The Region's Office of Public Af- fairs promotes the environmental education grants program through Regional envi- ronmental justice contacts and community relations coordinators so that institutions with environmental justice-related activities will be aware of the opportunity to com- pete for these funds. Region 5 conducted an environmental grants writing workshop for Chicago public school faculty members. Part of the workshop was devoted to a presentation about the environmental education grants. Another portion presented the environmental justice grant program. More than 200 teachers attended. Completed Milestones 12/94 Conducted the grants writing workshop. Contacts Suzanne Saric, (312) 353-3209 Gina Rosario, (312) 353-4716 Action Item Develop program-specific and community I minority-specific environmental jus- tice outreach strategies. Office of Underground Storage Tanks In order to maintain consistency across all Regional environmental justice plans, the Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) issued a fact sheet on environmental justice to °tate OUST and Office of Leaking Underground Storage Tank managers. This fact sheet defines environmental justice, explains what EPA is doing to address the issue and how OUST programs can address environmental justice concerns. Completed Milestones 9/94 Issued environmental justice fact sheet. Contact Sammy Ng, (703) 308-8882 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) topic area.] Office of Solid Waste A public participation rule for combustion-permitting procedures was proposed on June 2, 1994, that will expand public involvement opportunities during the RCRA permitting process. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the RCRA topic area.] 36 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office The Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office's (FFRRO) environmental justice support to other Federal agencies helps the agencies focus their public outreach efforts to more equitably serve their communities. [Note: More detail on this entry is re- ported under the Federal Facilities topic area.] Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) and Regional community relations staff completed draft guidance on community advisory groups (CAGs) and identified 14 potential CAG sites in communities with environmental justice concerns. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Region 1 Region I established and has been interacting extensively with CAGs at two Superfund sites with environmental justice concerns. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Region 2 Region 2 chose the Diamond Alkali Superfund site, which has potential environmental justice concerns, to pilot the formation of a CAG. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] In addition, to encourage earlier, more meaningful public involvement, especially in areas with environmental justice concerns, Region 2 developed a RCRA action plan and is applying the plan at a site located in Humacao, Puerto Rico. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the RCRA topic area.] Region 3 Region 3 is modifying its RCRA public participation process to foster greater public involvement by modifying the RCRA Public Involvement Manual and the RCRA Community Relations Plan to address environmental justice issues. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the RCRA topic area.] Region 4 The Region selected sites with environmental justice concerns at Chattanooga Creek, Tennessee, and the Escambia Treatment Plant, Pensacola, Florida, as CAG pilot sites. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Region 5 For fiscal year 1995, Region 5's Office of RCRA allocated additional resources to the Region's Office of Public Affairs to foster increased public participation in response to Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 37 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues environmental justice concerns raised during the permit process. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the RCRA topic area.] Region 6 Region 6 has selected the Agriculture Street Landfill Superfund site in New Orleans, Louisiana, to pilot a CAG. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Region 7 Region 7 has selected the Oronogo-Dunweg Superfund site to pilot a CAG. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Region 8 Region 8 is working closely with two minority communities near the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA), Montbello and Commerce City, to identify ways to more effectively involve the communities in site activities. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Federal Facilities topic area.] Region 9 Region 9 has selected the Del Amo/Montrose Superfund site to pilot a CAG. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] In addition, Region 9 has enhanced its community involvement in the Verdese Carter Park area in East Oakland, California, and is providing the community with an oppor- tunity for meaningful and early input into the site assessment process. The Region has worked with local environmental groups to develop fact sheets which were mailed out and distributed door-to-door near the park, developed a local repository of informa- tion, and provided outreach to the community located near the park, which included holding a community meeting/open house. This meeting was held to inform the resi- dents of the results of EPA's sampling, identify ways to minimize exposure, and pro- vide a schedule of upcoming events. Completed Milestones 3/95 Distributed fact sheets. 3/95 Held community meeting. Contacts Mike Bellot, (415)744-2364 Dorothy Wilson, (415) 744-2179 38 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships Region 1O Region 10 has been involved in enhancing outreach to Tribes at the Department of Energy's Hanford site in Washington. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Federal Facilities topic area.] Action Item Develop a public education and outreach program for communities likely to have OSWER-related environmental justice concerns. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OSWER's toll-free hotline, used to disseminate up-to-date information to the public on waste program issues, designated a staff person to keep up-to-date on environmen- tal justice issues and provide this information to the rest of the hotline staff, track all Federal Register notices related to environmental justice, and maintain a reference file to respond to environmental justice questions. The hotline also began tracking all environmental justice/brownfields questions they handle, and implemented a transla- tion service for Spanish-speaking callers. Formal training on environmental justice was also developed and presented to the hotline staff. Completed Milestones 2/94 Designated environmental justice staff person. 8/94 Implemented translation service. 1/95 Began tracking environmental justice questions. 2/95 Conducted environmental justice training. Contact Carolyn Vanhook-Jasperse, (202) 260-7388 Region 2 Officials from the Region and the New York City Department of Environmental Pro- tection (NYCDEP) met with "El Puente," a local community-based organization. El Puente founded a public school in 1994 for local Greenpoint/Williamsburg children, which emphasizes and encourages environmental and social activism in its students. During the meeting, the Region and NYCDEP provided educational materials and agreed to provide guest lecturers for special environmental activities at the El Puente school. The Region will conduct future outreach activities with the NYCDEP on a regular basis to provide environmental information to El Puente, as well as to other schools, citizen action groups, environmental groups, and the regulated community in Greenpoint/Williamsburg. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 39 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Completed Milestones 10/94 Met with El Puente. Contact Steve Petrucelli, (212) 637-3129 [Note: This entry is also reported under the RCRA topic area.] On April 26,1994, Region 2 met with the Interfaith Community Organization (ICO) of Jersey City, a church group representing approximately 35 local churches. At this meeting, the ICO expressed its dissatisfaction with the rate and quality of the State's efforts in chromium cleanup. The ICO also discussed a lawsuit it recently filed against the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) alleging that the State has failed to adequately protect human health and the environment. The ICO approached EPA Region 2 to help expedite the clean-up process. The resulting activi- ties included a removal site evaluation, two on-site inspections by Water Management Division staff, and a review of existing pre-remedial file information. It was deter- mined that the site was not eligible for a CERCLA removal action and was previously given a recommendation of "no further remedial action planned" by pre-remedial staff. As a result, the Region decided to monitor the NJDEP remedial activities. The NJDEP continues to be the lead regulatory agency responsible for the clean-up activities at chrome-contaminated sites. Completed Milestones 4/94 Met with ICO to determine concerns. 5/94 Prepared an assessment of ICO needs. Contact Kathleen Gallagher, (212) 637-4137 Region 3 Region 3 is conducting the Urban Environmental Initiative in cooperation with the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Department of the Environment to identify areas of disproportionate risk in Baltimore City and initiate community activities. The ini- tiative supports activities aimed at pollution prevention, risk reduction, public aware- ness, and other environmental activities in areas with environmental justice concerns within Baltimore City. The initiative is divided into two tracks: short-term and long- term. The short-term track uses the knowledge and experience of the interagency team to identify areas of immediate action. The team identified seven short-term areas: lead contamination, hazardous materials incidents, consumption of contaminated fish from Baltimore Harbor, air toxics, ground-level ozone, hazardous levels of radon, and indoor air pollution. The long-term track is designed to gather comprehensive data to identify environmental justice areas. Region 3 has been active in projects in the short-term track. For the short-term lead project, the interagency team produced and distributed lead-dust cleaning kits to Bal- timore residents in target areas. In October 1994, the team delivered approximately 150 kits to citizens who had received training in using the kits through the Baltimore 40 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships City Health Department. As of January 1995, the team has committed 1,400 of a total of 2,500 kits for distribution to trained community members. Additionally, the team submitted grant proposals for fish-consumption studies, the creation of an ozone map and associated public information activities, hazardous materials incident studies, and indoor air studies. These proposals are currently under review. The Region antici- pates the proposal reviews will be completed in fiscal year 1995. Completed Milestones 10/94 Held the Urban Environmental Initiative planning team meeting. 10/94 Completed short-term risk rankings. 10/94 Distributed lead-dust cleaning kits. Contact Reginald Harris, (215) 597-6529 Region 4 Region 4 is in the process of improving its communication plan. The plan will include public notification of the Region's intent, goals, and responsibilities regarding envi- ronmental justice. The Region received and reviewed proposals to implement the communication plan and will make necessary funding decisions to implement the plan in the coming year. Completed Milestones 5/94 Received proposals. 6/94 Reviewed proposals. Contact Vivian Malone Jones, (404) 347-4294 Region 6 Region 6 established a workgroup to coordinate Regional environmental justice ac- tivities. The Region 6 environmental justice coordinator chairs the workgroup. This group is developing a training program for known environmental justice stakeholders who have OSWER-related concerns. In 1994, the Region conducted an outreach ses- sion entitled Partners in Protection in southern Louisiana to provide the public with information on how to become involved in environmental protection. Additional out- reach activities are planned for fiscal year 1995. Completed Milestones 4/94 Initiated workgroup planning. 11/94 Finalized workgroup outreach session. 12/94 Conducted outreach session: Partners in Protection. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 41 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Contact Lynda Carroll, (214) 665-7200 Region 6 also will implement Technical Outreach Support Centers (TOSCs) at three to five non-NPL or non-time critical removal sites in fiscal year 1995. TOSC provides technical assistance for communities not eligible for Superfund Technical Assistance Grants. In addition, TOSC representatives are working with Pueblo Indians in New Mexico to provide technical assistance. The Region is concentrating on improving problem areas, such as the lack of coordination and communication between the Fed- eral agencies assigned to various aspects of site cleanup. The Region selected the Pueblo Office of Environmental Protection (POEP) and the Devil's Swamp site to conduct TOSC outreach pilots. Completed Milestones 9/94 Identified POEP and the Devil's Swamp site as two TOSC outreach pilots. 10/94 Initiated TOSC outreach with POEP. Contact Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 Action Item Involve labor groups in environmental justice activities. Region 6 Region 6 planned and piloted a contracts and labor seminar in December 1994 in the New Orleans area. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Contracts, Grants, and Labor topic area.] 42 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Economic Redevelopment Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 43 ------- Economic Redevelopment Economic Redevelopment Continue to implement brownfields pilot projects 47 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 47 Region 1 48 Region 2 48 RegionS 49 Region 4 50 Regions 50 Region 6 51 Region? 51 Regions 52 Region 9 52 Region 10 52 Develop and implement job training and community outreach activities 53 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 53 Region 9 54 Explore the use of enforcement tools to stimulate brownfields development 54 Region 1 54 RegionS 55 Continue to work with the Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute to expand educational training in local communities 55 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 55 Region 2 56 Region 9 56 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 45 ------- Economic Redevelopment Topic Area: Economic Redevelopment Action Item Continue to implement brownfields pilot projects. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) continued to expand its emphasis on community involvement by focusing on environmental justice com- munities as part of the brownfields economic redevelopment initiative. To accomplish this task, OSWER is focusing on three specific action items highlighted in the Brownfields Initiative's Action Agenda, announced by Administrator Browner on Janu- ary 25,1995. The three action items include awarding 50 brownfields economic rede- velopment pilots during 1995 and 1996, working with Empowerment Zones and En- terprise Communities (EZ/EC), and building partnerships with key stakeholders to gain their input and advice on the Brownfields Action Agenda. OSWER views the pilot projects as critical to integrating environmental justice con- cerns into the Brownfields Initiative and has awarded three brownfields pilots to date, two of which are in EZ/EC cities. Based on experience with the first pilot in Cleve- land, Ohio, OSWER took steps to improve both the community involvement compo- nent of the selection criteria and the pilots' cooperative agreements. OSWER plans to further refine the criteria and cooperative agreement process based on comments so- licited from the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). OSWER also will co-sponsor public forums in five cities across the country during the summer of 1995 (referred to as Loop Trips) with NEJAC Waste and Facility Siting Subcommittee. The objective of the Loop Trips is to solicit input from communities with environmental justice concerns and to develop strategies for integrating commu- nity involvement into the objectives of the Brownfields Initiative. Completed Milestones 12/94 Adjusted criteria for brownfields pilot selection to better incorporate en- vironmental justice concerns. 12/94 Awarded two pilot projects in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Richmond, Virginia, based on adjusted criteria. 12/94 Integrated a major emphasis on broad community involvement, including environmental justice communities, into the cooperative agreements of the first three brownfields pilots. 1/95 Presented the Brownfields Action Agenda for comment to NEJAC representatives at the Environmental Justice National Meeting in Atlanta. 3/95 Identified the brownfields redevelopment pilot program as EPA's signature initiative for the Agency's EZ/EC program. 3/95 Scheduled Loop Trips to be co-sponsored with NEJAC for the weeks of June 5 and July 21. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 47 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Contacts Marjorie Buckholtz, (202) 260-6153 Katherine Dawes, (202) 260-8394 Region 1 OSWER selected the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut, for a brownflelds pilot project in September 1994. Region I worked with the city to award a $200,000 cooperative agreement that was signed on September 30, 1994. The Region has also provided the city with technical guidance on complying with the Federal Acquisition Regulations. The city prepared and advertised a request for proposal for consultant services and reviewed 10 proposals. A six-member panel consisting of two members of the CLEAN Task Force, two city officials, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protec- tion, and the Institute for Responsible Management conducted the reviews and inter- viewed six short-listed firms in late January. Roy F. Weston was selected in late March 1995, and EPA attended the pilot project kickoff meeting with the city, Weston, and the CLEAN Task Force on March 30, 1995. Region I also assisted approximately 25 parties in the submission of brownflelds applications that were due March 1, 1995. Brownflelds pilot projects are expected to be awarded in May 1995. Completed Milestones 9/94 Assisted in cooperative agreement application. 9/94 Awarded cooperative agreement. 3/95 Initiated assistance to the city with cooperative agreement implemen- tation. 3/95 Awarded contract for consultant services. 3/95 Attended pilot project kickoff meeting. 3/95 Assisted interested parties in submitting brownfields applications. Contacts John Podgurski, (617) 573-9681 Pat O'Leary, (617) 565-4992 Region 2 Region 2 reviewed and assisted five cities (Camden, New Jersey; Jersey City, New Jersey; Buffalo, New York; Greenpoint, New York; Hunters Point, New York) in de- veloping brownflelds applications. Region 2 nominated and submitted two applica- tions (Jersey City and Buffalo) to Headquarters for acceptance in late April 1994. In addition, the Region has assisted local communities with applications for the second round of brownfields programs. Region 2 also sponsored three brownfields economic redevelopment workshops: Newark (January 24, 1995); Buffalo (January 27, 1995); and Puerto Rico (February 4, 1995). EPA and the EPA Northeast Hazardous Sub- stance Research Center (NHSRC) jointly conducted the workshops. The NHSRC is a 48 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Economic Redevelopment consortium of seven universities involved with education, research, and community outreach on hazardous substance materials and associated problems. The objective of the workshop was to introduce community leaders to the brownfields program and provide basic information about the key factors to address when incorporating envi- ronmental remediation into their urban renewal efforts. Completed Milestones 4/94 Submitted brownfields applications to Headquarters for Round 1 selec- tions. 11/94 Initiated assistance to potential applicants. 1/95-2/95 Sponsored brownfields economic redevelopment workshops. Contact Larry D'Andrea, (212) 637-4314 Region 3 Region 3 has entered into a cooperative agreement with the City of Pittsburgh to ex- plore ways to facilitate redevelopment of contaminated sites within the city's large tracts of now-abandoned, industrially zoned land. The city has acquired, in lieu of unpaid taxes, much of the land, but large portions of it remain in private hands. There are strong environmental justice concerns because many of these sites are located in minority and low-income neighborhoods. The City of Pittsburgh submitted their co- operative agreement application in December 1994. The final application for the co- operative agreement with the city was approved on February 8 and awarded on Febru- ary 14, 1995. In addition, the City of Philadelphia submitted their cooperative agree- ment application on January 6, 1995, Region 3 Hazardous Waste Management Divi- sion staff worked with city representatives to expedite the process and expects to award the agreement by April 1995. Region 3 has also assisted local communities with appli- cations for developing brownfields programs with the City of Richmond being se- lected as a brownfields pilot on September 30, 1994. Completed Milestones 9/94 Initiated assistance to communities in developing brownfields applica- tions. 12/94 City of Pittsburgh submitted cooperative agreement application. 1/95 City of Philadelphia submitted cooperative agreement aplication. 2/95 Approved cooperative agreement with City of Pittsburgh. 2/95 Awarded cooperative agreement with City of Pittsburgh. 3/95 Worked with City of Philadelphia to expedite cooperative agreement application process. Contact Tom Stolen, (215) 597-1166 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 49 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Region 4 Region 4 identified a Brownfields Coordinator in July 1994. The coordinator partici- pated in the July 1994 brownfields workshop, which was attended by the Deputy Di- rector for the Office of Environmental Justice; the December 1994 interagency brownfields meeting; the January 1995 regional brownfields meeting; the March 1995 EPA/State meeting; and a local environmental sustainability conference. In addition, the coordinator performed a brownfields detail in OSWER from June to September 1994, and in March 1995 submitted a brownfields article for publication in the Na- tional Association of Regional Project Managers Newsletter. Region 4 also assisted numerous parties in the submission of brownfields applications that were due March 1, 1995. Brownfields pilot projects are expected to be awarded in May 1995. Completed Milestones 7/94 Established Regional Brownfields Coordinator. 1/95 Assisted interested parties in submitting brownfields applications. Contact Barbara Dick, (404) 347-2643 x6273 Region 5 The Cleveland brownfields pilot to return contaminated inner-city properties to pro- ductive use is an example of using creative alliances to address environmental justice needs. Current brownfields redevelopment efforts in Region 5 have centered on build- ing State capacity to redevelop brownfields sites by: (a) providing over $1 million in core grants and site assessment grants to help States develop, expand, and promote voluntary cleanup programs; (b) providing $550,000 in site assessment grants to in- vestigate brownfields throughout the Region; (c) developing, Federal/State/local gov- ernment "reuse action teams" to quickly solve site-specific environmental barriers to the redevelopment of property; and (d) adding addenda to existing Superfund Memo- randa of Agreement that express "programmatic comfort" with State voluntary clean- ups. Region 5 sponsored a "Regional Summit on the Urban Environment and Eco- nomic Redevelopment: Brownfields Strategies for Midwestern Cities," in Chicago in March 1995. The Region has also detailed three employees to local governments to help cities build their capacity on brownfields. In addition, the Region, in partnership with the Office of Administration and Resources Management, created an Environ- mental Finance Center at Cleveland State University focused on training and outreach to local governments on how to finance brownfields redevelopment. Completed Milestones 4/94 Detailed employees to local governments. 3/95 Sponsored Regional brownfields summit. 3/95 Initiated creation of Environmental Finance Center. 50 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Economic Redevelopment Contacts Jim Bower, (312)886-1423 Joe Dufficy, (312)886-7255 Region 6 Region 6 participated in the June 1994 brownfields pilot meeting in Dallas, Texas, to gain more information about economic redevelopment. Region 6 also selected a Re- gional Brownfields Coordinator to further implement brownfields pilot projects. The coordinator is working with cities and tribes in the Region to prepare brownfields applications. Region 6 is currently soliciting and submitting brownfields grant appli- cations for an anticipated award in May 1995. The Region also recently participated in the National Brownfields Conference in February 1995. Completed Milestones 6/94 Participated in brownfields pilot meeting in Dallas, Texas. 10/94 Selected Region 6 Brownfields Coordinator. 10/94 Worked with States and municipalities to determine interest levels in applying for "Round Three" brownfields grants. 1/95 Mailed solicitation letter to mayors and tribes. 2/95 Participated in the National Brownfields Conference. Contacts Stan Hitt, (214) 665-6735 Walter Biggins, (214) 665-6705 Region 7 Region 7 is exploring opportunities available under the brownfields pilot projects as part of its environmental justice initiative. The Region has contacted all four States within its jurisdiction and a number of cities regarding the brownfields pilot program and grants available through Headquarters. To enhance economic redevelopment, Re- gion 7 is working with the four States on their voluntary cleanup programs and antici- pates further efforts to assist and build capacity in these programs. Region 7 recently participated with a group of individuals from all EPA Regions and Headquarters to further understand and apply brownfields concepts. Region 7 will continue to work with the group to promote brownfields redevelopment in the Region and nationwide. Completed Milestones 5/94-1/95 Contacted States and cities regarding brownfields pilot program. 12/94-3/95 Participated with Headquarters and other Regions in efforts to understand and apply brownfields concepts. Contact Glenn Curtis, (913)551-7726 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 51 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Region 8 Region 8 has initiated the Sand Creek Pilot Brownfields Economic Redevelopment Project in partnership with the Cities of Denver and Commerce City. A facilitated discussion resulted in agreement to hold two focus group sessions, one with local lenders, realtors, and appraisers to identify barriers to economic redevelopment in contaminated areas or areas perceived to be contaminated. The second session was held with local neighborhood groups and business people to hear their concerns re- garding cleanup and redevelopment. Contacts Marc Alston, (303) 294-1520 Wendy Thomi, (303) 294-1139 Region 9 Region 9 has outlined a strategy for the Brownfields Initiative and has designated a Brownfields Coordinator and established a Regional brownfields workgroup. The Region has moved forward on the following activities: • Developed criteria to determine what assistance can be provided to pro- spective purchasers. This includes the development of a Regional "com- fort letter." The Region has also issued one covenant-not-to-sue; • Educated lenders and members of the real estate industry to counteract the stigma of Superfund. Activities developing a matrix for use in determin- ing when various types of comfort or prospective purchaser activities are appropriate; • Worked with local governments to remove obstacles to redevelopment. The Region recently participated in a meeting in East Palo Alto to discuss ways to assist the city in redevelopment; and • Met with the State of California to encourage their voluntary cleanup pro- gram and to discuss how to provide comfort to participants who complete the requirements of their program. The Region has reached agreement regarding sites which are either placed in the No Further Remedial Action Planned (NFRAP) category or would never be of concern to EPA and will continue to work to define what level of oversight is appropriate for other sites. Contact Sherry Kitzat, (415) 744-2360 Region 1O Region lO's Superfund program is working with Headquarters to identify potential pilots for the brownfields project. For this effort, Region 10 provided information to States, cities, or other interested parties, and assisted them in preparing proposals. Interested parties include the Cities of Tacoma, Seattle, and Kodiak; the Oregon State 52 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Economic Redevelopment Mills Project; and the Washington State Department of Ecology. If one of these pro- posals is selected, Region 10 will conduct oversight and assistance as necessary. Completed Milestones 10/94 Provided information to interested parties. 10/94 Assisted interested parties with applications. Contact Ken Marcy, (206) 553-6501 Action Item Develop and implement job training and community outreach activities. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OSWER worked with the Department of Labor to focus the efforts on local workforce development at brownfields pilot sites. In other efforts, OSWER is working with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to implement a minor- ity worker training program. This program will start a series of national pilot pro- grams designed to test a range of strategies for the recruitment and training of inner- city youth. In addition, OSWER funded and organized the EPA-Morgan State University Summer Environmental Teacher's Institute, now in its third year. The Teacher's Institute is designed to recruit and inform teachers from schools located near Superfund sites about environmental issues and concerns with a focus on environmental education for public school students. OSWER made special efforts to recruit people of color to the Teacher's Institute. At the second Teacher's Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, over half of the participating teachers were people of color. Completed Milestones 6/94 Conducted the second EPA-Morgan State University Summer Environmental Teachers Institute, in Baltimore, Maryland. 10/94 Awarded a cooperative agreement to Citizens for Environmental Justice in Savannah, Georgia, to conduct outreach activities to environmental justice communities. 1/95 Attended a minority worker training program workshop in Cleveland, Ohio, sponsored by NIEHS. 1/95 Awarded a cooperative agreement to the Rio Hondo Community College District in Whittier, California, which is in a predominately Hispanic com- munity, to establish an environmental education and training center. Contacts Marjorie Buckholtz, (202) 260-6153 Myra Blakely, (202) 260-4527 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 53 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Region 9 Region 9 has established an interagency cooperative working arrangement with the Public Health Service (PHS) through their Medical Assistance Program, particularly at two Superfund sites in Tucson, Arizona, and Del Amo, California. This arrange- ment with PHS ensures that health facilities are identified around Superfund sites and that the communities are informed of the availability of medical care which may be necessary because of exposure to hazardous materials. In addition, the Region is working with the Department of Labor on a pilot project to design environmental curricula for the Job Corps program. EPA and Job Corps plan to hold a meeting of environmental training stakeholders to identify portions of existing programs which could be included, further define the labor market in this area, and determine how stakeholders may wish to be involved. Contact Sherry Kitzat, (415) 744-2360 Action Item Explore the use of enforcement tools to stimulate brownfields development. Region 1 Region I developed a number of initiatives to encourage beneficial reuse of Superfund sites. These initiatives encourage and promote economic redevelopment by eliminat- ing liability barriers and matching remedies to projected property use. These initia- tives cover three general areas: prospective purchaser agreements, status letters, and municipal liability. For prospective purchasers, the Region will expand agreements to include protection to lenders and tenants and, when appropriate, will expedite process- ing of prospective purchaser agreements. The Region is communicating its message to the public on its involvement at sites by issuing three types of status letters: (I) No Further Federal Interest Letters; (2) Voluntary Cleanup Letters; and (3) Clean Areas Letters. Region 1 will also seek legal clarification on the liability of municipalities that want to take back contaminated parcels of land abandoned by defunct companies, and return these viable parcels to the town's tax base. Region 1 presented these pro- posals to OSWER and the public in a briefing in January 1995. Implementation of these initiatives is pending. Completed Milestones 12/94 Developed initiatives to encourage beneficial reuse. 1/95 Presented initiatives in briefing. Contacts Richard Cavagnero, (617) 573-5720 Pat O'Leary, (617) 565-4992 54 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Economic Redevelopment Region 5 Region 5 staff met in April 1994 with members of the voluntary cleanup and enforce- ment programs of six States to discuss reviewing existing and proposed State pro- grams, merging concepts of voluntary response and redevelopment, distancing EPA from direct site involvement, and addressing EPA liability issues. Economic develop- ment opportunities may arise and should be explored in conjunction with many activi- ties that also promote environmental justice. Such opportunities are increasingly blocked by uncertainty about future tort, third-party, and Superfund liability. This uncertainty causes many potential investors to avoid developing the sites. Communities near brownfields sites face adverse economic effects such as declining property values and increased rates of unemployment. In addition, banks commonly refuse to provide loans for redevelopment at sites they perceive as being contaminated. To address this issue, Region 5 issued, on July 12, 1994, the first "comfort letter" to a facility in the Cleveland pilot. This "comfort letter" stated that EPA had determined that the site will not require Superfund action and deferred all environmental decisions to the State of Ohio. This alleviated the bank's concerns and resulted in the dispersal of redevelopment loans. Completed Milestones 4/94 Held forum on State voluntary and enforcement programs. 7/94 Issued "comfort letter." Contact Joe Dufficy, (312) 886-7255 Action Item Continue to work with the Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute to expand educational training in local communities. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response OSWER conducted job training and development and community outreach activities linked to the Brownfields Initiative and specified in the Brownfields Action Agenda. For some of these activities, OSWER worked with the Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute (HMTRI) to expand training and curriculum development to community colleges located near brownfields pilots. OSWER established partner- ships with community colleges in Cleveland, Ohio; Bridgeport, Connecticut; and Rich- mond, Virginia. Completed Milestones 1/95 Sponsored a HMTRI workshop in Charleston, South Carolina, which was attended by the Brownfields Community Colleges—Cuyahoga Community College (Cleveland, Ohio); Housatonic Community College Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 55 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues (Bridgeport, Connecticut); and J. Sargeant Reynolds (Richmond, Virginia) —along with many other community colleges. Contacts Marjorie Buckholtz, (202) 260-6153 Myra Blakely, (202) 260-4527 Region 2 Region 2 is working with the Northeast Hazardous Substance Research Center (NHSRC) to address the feasibility and requirements for local communities to receive grant funding from NHSRC under CERCLA's Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) program. TOSC funding is awarded to cities to educate and train personnel in the environmental field so that their employment prospects will improve. A pilot program sponsored by Jersey City, in conjunction with Jersey City State College and Region 2, trained approximately 40 unemployed local residents, and is helping place success- fully trained individuals in the environmental job market. Region 2 is also providing educational support and technical guidance on using TOSC funds in Trenton, Newark, and Puerto Rico. Completed Milestones 11/94 Conducted pilot program with Jersey City and Jersey City State College to train and place 40 individuals using TOSC funding. Contact Larry D'Andrea, (212) 637-4314 Region 9 Region 9 is supporting the development of a solid waste management curriculum at the Rio Hondo College. The curriculum is designed to work within the confines of Rio Hondo's existing Environmental Technology Program. This program is directed to- ward technician-level training. The student population at Rio Hondo College is ethni- cally diverse, and the program's marketing and recruitment efforts will be targeted toward minorities and women. Region 9 awarded a $50,000 grant under Section 8001 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to support development of the cur- riculum. Project activities past the first year are pending acquisition of additional funds. Completed Milestones 6/94 Negotiated final work plan. 7/94 Established an Industry Advisory Committee. 8/94 Developed and disseminated a Solid Waste Technician Skills/ Competencies Assessment. 56 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Economic Redevelopment 9/94 Developed solid waste curriculum. 1/95 Recruited students. Contact David Duncan, (415) 744-2106 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 57 ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Contracts, Grants, and Labor Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 59 ------- Contracts, Grants, and Labor Contracts, Grants, and Labor Implement the Mentor-Protege Program 63 Region 2 63 Region 6 63 Region? 64 Promote increased use of local and small and disadvantaged businesses 64 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 64 Region 2 64 Region 4 65 Region 6 65 Region 9 66 Region 10 67 Establish a local consultation committee 67 Region 6 67 Encourage contractors to hire workers in "labor surplus" areas 68 Region 7 68 Use existing Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) provisions to benefit small and disadvantaged businesses 68 Region 5 68 Incorporate environmental justice language into grants and cooperative agreements 69 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 69 Region 2 69 Establish a pilot program to train minority and/or low-income workers in the hazardous waste cleanup field 70 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 70 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 61 ------- Contracts, Grants, and Labor Topic Area: Contracts, Grants, and Labor Action Item Implement the Mentor-Protege Program Region 2 Region 2 has taken steps to implement the contractor Mentor-Protege Program by incorporating appropriate criteria into the Remedial Action Contract (RAC) and the Superfund Technical and Response Team (START) Technical Evaluation Plan (TEP) and incorporating appropriate clauses in the contract documents. Selected contractors will be subjected to pre-negotiated goals for small and disadvantaged business pro- grams. Special contract clauses will hopefully encourage the prime contractors to pursue the Mentor-Protege Program. This strategy is designed to ensure that the prime contractors will give serious attention to the Mentor-Protege Program criteria to en- hance their chances of being awarded an EPA contract. Procurement for START con- tracts was initiated in August 1994. The procurement cycle for the RACs will be initiated in fiscal year 1995. Completed Milestones 8/94 Initiated procurement for START contracts. Contacts Shaheer Alvi, (212) 637-4324 Keith Kollar, (212) 637-4324 Region 6 Region 6 is working with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to fully implement the Mentor-Protege Program that is being piloted in the Superfund Response Action START contract. The program is designed to stimulate the participation of small and disadvantaged businesses in EPA contracts by fostering long-term relationships between large contractors and small and disadvantaged busi- nesses. Region 6 obtained a list of contractors currently involved in programs in the Region and developed a list of candidate mentor firms. Contact was made with the prospective mentor firms to encourage their participation in the program and to pro- vide guidance in identifying prospective protege firms (small/disadvantaged) in pre- paring applications to the program. Discussions on the Mentor-Protege Program were integrated into the presentation at the Community Development Partnership Seminar held in the Press Park area of New Orleans, Louisiana. Completed Milestones 10/94 Developed a list of candidate mentor firms. 11/94 Contacted and met with prospective mentor firms. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 63 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues 11/94 Integrated Mentor-Protege Program discussions into the Community De- velopment Partnership Seminar Program. Contact Carlene Chambers, (214) 665-6720 Region 7 In Region 7, five firms have either approved or pending Mentor-Protege agreements in place. Three firms are under contract in the Alternative Remedial Contracting Strat- egy (ARCS) program and two are involved with RACs. In addition, the Emergency Response Cleanup Services (ERCS) contractor is seriously investigating potential pro- tege firms with which to enter into an agreement. EPA has emphasized participation in the Mentor-Protege Program by discussing contractor participation and providing in- centives to firms to participate through the award fee process. Region 7 has empha- sized participation in the Mentor-Protege Program up-front in the solicitation of RAC and Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contracts that are in the pro- curement phase. Contact for contractors other than ARCS contractors is ongoing. Completed Milestones 11/94 Obtained a list of contractors currently participating in the program, and developed a list of candidate mentor firms. Contact DebiMorey, (913)551-7593 Action Item Promote ir creased use of local and small and disadvantaged businesses. Office of Underground Storage Tanks The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) awarded a grant of $100,000 to train and certify minority contractors in the removal, installation, monitoring, and leak detection of Underground Storage Tanks (UST). [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the UST topic area.] Region 2 Region 2 reports the number of subcontracts awarded under prime contracts to small businesses and small and disadvantaged businesses in individual ARCS contracts to OSDBU. Prime contractors are encouraged to award from 30 to 40 percent of the available subcontracts to small and disadvantaged businesses. The Region promotes the achievement of this goal through performance award fee incentives. ARCS con- tractors were requested to submit this information by March 1, 1995, and every six months thereafter. 64 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Contracts, Grants, and Labor Completed Milestones 3/95 Information submitted by ARCS contractors. Contact Shaheer Alvi, (212) 637-4324 Region 4 As part of the long-term contracting strategies for both the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensa- tion, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Region 4 has established acquisition plans which emphasize use of small and disadvantaged businesses, both as prime contractors and subcontractors. The Region 4 Waste Management Division has also sought and imple- mented set-aside contracts under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act. This autho- rizes the Small Business Administration (SB A) to enter into contracts with other Fed- eral agencies and to perform work on those contracts by subcontracting to "socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns." One Enforcement Sup- port Services (ESS) contract was awarded to a business that qualifies under Section 8(a). A second contract was awarded to a business that qualifies as a Section 8(a) business to provide assistance in oversight of Federal facilities under the Regional Oversight Contract (ROC). These contract awards have resulted in more than $12 million being awarded to minority business enterprises. For contracts that are still in the procurement stage, where the contract amount is too substantial for a small or disadvantage business to seek, Region 4 will require that prospective prime contrac- tors seek small and disadvantaged businesses as subcontractors in order to be success- ful in receiving the award. This requirement will also allow small and disadvantaged businesses to benefit from the contracts. Region 4 also plans to explore the use of monetary incentives for the prime contractors to hire small and disadvantaged busi- nesses. Completed milestones 9/94 Awarded ESS contract. 9/94 Awarded ROC contract. Contact Matt Robins, (404) 347-3555, x6214 Region 6 Region 6 piloted a community development seminar for labor and contractors located near to sites or facilities regulated by EPA and addressed Federal government con- tracting opportunities, bidding procedures, training requirements, etc. This seminar brought together several Federal agencies, EPA prime contractors, and training ven- dors/providers in one room and made them directly available to potential disadvan- taged and minority contractors for networking and information sharing on government subcontracting opportunities. Participants included the City of New Orleans, a labor union, the Louisiana Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, SBA, the U.S. Army Corps of Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 65 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Engineers, the General Services Administration, the Department of Energy, and sev- eral local universities. Several subcontracts were awarded as a result of the seminar, including a construction contract for $500,000. Feedback from the seminar participants and attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Several statements praised the Region for creating opportu- nities for the attendees to meet, network, and bid for Federal subcontracts that they otherwise would not have had. The next seminar is tentatively planned for Albuquer- que, New Mexico, in the spring or early summer. Completed Milestones 11/94 Finalized planning for the New Orleans seminar. 12/94 Held the seminar. 12/94-1/95 Awarded contracts. Contacts Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 Carlene Chambers, (214) 665-6720 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area and the Federal Interagency Cooperation topic area.] Region 9 In Region 9, RCRA Enforcement Permitting Assistance (REPA) Contracts 68-W4- 0004 and 68 W4-0005 were amended to unilaterally change the award-fee plan to include the following under the existing "Management" criteria: "Evaluation of man- agement shall include an evaluation of the contractor's adherence to the requirement and objectives of the approved subcontracting plan negotiated with the contract (e.g., ability to meet Minority Business Enterprise subcontracting goals, subcontracting agree- ment turn-around times)." The award-fee evaluation will occur every six months. Also, in an effort to encourage increased use of small/disadvantaged subcontractors, Region 9 is tracking each of the four ARCS contractors' usage of small businesses through subcontracting as a percentage of total subcontracting dollars spent. EPA has considered each contractor's success in meeting its goal when calculating the level of award fee paid for the current period of performance. During the last six months' performance evaluation period, two out of four contractors had exceeded their goals of subcontracting to small businesses. The remaining two contractors were close to achiev- ing their goals. The proposed award fees reflect the success in achieving the goals. Completed milestones 9/94 Amended REPA Contracts. 1/95 Completed six month performance evaluation of ARCS contractors. 66 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Contracts, Grants, and Labor Contacts Caroline Ireson, (415) 744-2337, (ARCS) Rich Vaille, (415) 744-2090, (ARCS, REPA) Region 1O The Region 10 Superfund removal program worked with the State of Idaho and the local employment office in Silver Valley to provide health and safety training to local citizens interested in hazardous waste work. Three one-week training sessions were held, one in February 1994 and two in May 1994. Also, under the Region 10 Emer- gency Removal Program, the Corps of Engineers subcontractor, OHM, was able to hire 19 local workers out of a total of 26 that lived in the community for work at the Bunker Hill site. The Region and the State of Idaho also are currently working on the development of a local contractor list. A mechanism to develop and maintain the contractor list is in its initial planning stage. The contractor list will be given to hired prime contractors for use in notifying local contractors of bid opportunities for cleanup work. Completed Milestones 2/94 Held a one-week health and safety training session for local citizens inter- ested in hazardous waste work. 5/94 Held two one-week health and safety training sessions for local citizens interested in hazardous waste work. Contact Kirk Robinson, (206) 553-2104 Action Item Establish a local consultation committee. Region 6 Region 6, in collaboration with EPA Headquarters, selected the Agricultural Street Landfill Superfund Site to establish a local consultation committee. The local consul- tation committee is comprised of local business owners, including owners of minority businesses and the local Chamber of Commerce. The committee assisted Region 6 in selecting a location and developing an agenda for the Community Economic Partner- ship Seminar held in December 1994 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This committee will continue to assist Region 6 and Headquarters in identifying and addressing environ- mental justice concerns by helping to identify local employment opportunities and publicize potential contracting opportunities. The committee also will identify the scope and pattern of work in a manner that will facilitate opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 67 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Completed Milestones 9/94 Selected the Agricultural Street Landfill Site to establish the local consul- tation committee. 10-11/94 Held local consultation committee meeting to help plan the December 1994 Community Economic Partnership Seminar. Contact Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6701 Action Item Encourage contractors to hire workers in "labor surplus" areas. Region 7 Region 7 identified geographic areas in the Region with high concentrations of unem- ployment or underemployment from the "labor surplus area" list published by the Department of Labor. The contracting officer granted approval to require contractor action on hiring workers from labor surplus zones. The Region plans to request de- tailed information in work assignments or delivery order work plans on how site/fa- cilities will strive to meet their Minority/Women Business Enterprise, and Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (for "set asides" of contracts to be awarded to small and disadvantaged businesses) targets and goals for EPA work conducted in labor surplus areas. Completed Milestones 11/94 Obtained a list of labor surplus areas. 1/95 Obtained approval from contracting officer to require action. Contact Debi Morey, (913) 551-7593 Action Item Use existing Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions to benefit small and disadvantaged businesses. Region 5 Region 5 initiated an effort to ensure that small and disadvantaged businesses obtain their share of contract awards. This effort, through the RCRA Solid Waste Section, included an internal review to evaluate whether contract awards within the existing solid waste management program achieved the eight percent small and disadvantaged business award minimum. Contract award recipients, not in compliance with the re- quirements, were sent a notification. 68 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Contracts, Grants, and Labor Completed Milestones 3/94 RCRA Solid Waste Section evaluated existing grants for achievement of eight percent fair share minimum. Contacts Cindy Wakat, (312) 886-7338 Jennifer Manville, (312) 886-7599 Action Item Incorporate environmental justice language into grants and cooperative agree- ments. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OS WER) has been working with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to develop health and safety training for environmental justice communities. The NIEHS Superfund Worker Training Program has provided safety and health training to over 400,000 workers in high risk occupations during the past seven years through extramural coop- erative agreements with unions, universities, and community colleges. In October 1994, NIEHS issued a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit grant ap- plications to support partnerships in establishing a new minority worker training pi- lots. The training pilots will focus on supporting the inclusion of young people of color in environmental restoration activities. In January 1995, EPA and NIEHS held a technical workshop in Cleveland, Ohio, to examine model programs for training young residents of minority communities for employment in environmental restoration projects. The Region received applications for these pilot projects in February 1995. Completed Milestones 10/94 Issued RFA. 1/95 Conducted a technical workshop with NIEHS in Cleveland, Ohio. 2/95 Received pilot applications. Contact Jim Maas, (202) 260-8927 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ship topic area and the Federal Interagency Cooperation topic area.] Region 2 Region 2 began activities to target grant funds to encourage groups in low-income areas to promote recycling and source reduction/pollution prevention. The efforts include informing low-income community organizations of the availability of limited Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 69 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Federal grant money to promote recycling and source reduction/pollution initiatives. Region 2 has identified the appropriate community and outreach sources. A meeting was scheduled and speakers arranged to discuss the benefits of source reduction/recy- cling, grant program and paperwork requirements, success stories in other communi- ties, and to respond to questions. Region 2 plans to review the proposals and award the grants by March 1995. Completed Milestones 9/94 Identified appropriate community completed outreach sources. 11/94 Met with community target groups in Region 2. 1/95 Prepared a letter of invitation. 3/95 Arranged for meeting and speakers in Region 2. Contacts Dit Cheung, (212) 637-4124 Lorraine S. Graves, (212) 637-4099 Action Item Establish a pilot program to train minority and/or low-income workers in the hazardous waste cleanup field. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) is designing a pilot pro- gram to provide training to minorities and low-income residents in the hazardous waste cleanup field. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Contact Suzanne Wells, (703) 603-8863 70 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Federal Interagency Cooperation Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 71 ------- Federal Interagency Cooperation Federal Interagency Cooperation Develop pilot projects with other Federal agencies to address environmental justice concerns 75 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response..... 75 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 75 Region! 75 Region 6 76 Region? 76 Region 10 76 Increase and improve coordination between Federal agencies to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure coordination on environmental justice issues 77 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 77 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 77 Office of Solid Waste 77 Region 2 77 Region 6 77 Region? 78 Region 10 78 Explore other means of cooperation with other Federal agencies 79 Region 9 79 Region 10 80 Incorporate environmental justice in Federal facilities priority setting and stakeholder involvement 80 Region 9 80 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 73 ------- Federal Interagency Cooperation Topic Area: Federal Interagency Cooperation Action Item Develop pilot projects with other Federal agencies to address environmental justice concerns. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response In the summer of 1994, EPA requested assistance from the Public Health Service (PHS) to respond to the health concerns of communities living near hazardous waste sites. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Health, Cumulative Risk, Syner- gistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways topic area.] Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) is designing a pilot pro- gram to provide training to minorities and low-income residents in the hazardous waste cleanup field. OERR is also working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to develop a list of Superfund sites with low-income or minority housing that may be eligible for HUD Lead Abatement grants. [Note: More detail on these entries is reported under the Comprehensive Environmen- tal Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) topic area.] Region 2 ___ Region 2 has identified certain Federal agencies as important resources in addressing environmental justice concerns. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Regis- try (ATSDR) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are targeted for providing regional assistance in identifying health effects and cumulative disproportionate im- pacts on local populations. Accordingly, CDC and Region 2 have teamed in a pilot program to study the possible relationship between air pollution and asthma in the Catano area of Puerto Rico. The purpose of this study is to identify the prevalence and severity of asthma among school-aged children, to obtain baseline measures, and to develop a framework for future research. Completed Milestones 6/94 Piloted a survey instrument in a local Puerto Rican school. 11/94 Administered the questionnaire in all area schools. 1/95 Initiated analysis of data. Contact Mario Stance, (212) 637-4018 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 75 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Region 6 Region 6 and the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, developed and organized a pilot project to bring together several Federal agencies, EPA prime contractors, and training vendors and providers. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Con- tracts, Grants, and Labor topic area.] Region 7 Region 7, in cooperation with ATSDR, identified two Superfund sites where Region 7 will join in pilot efforts with other agencies to address environmental justice concerns. The health concerns and issues in areas around the Superfund sites will be addressed in partnership with the PHS and Health and Human Services (HHS). The sites are Oronogo-Duenweg, located in Jasper County, Missouri; and Cherokee County, a site in Kansas. On December 20, 1994, the Regional Administrator met with ATSDR, Regional Administrators for PHS and HHS, and local representatives from the Depart- ment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the meeting was to establish working relationships with these agencies working at the Jasper County and the Cherokee County sites, and to determine the interest in participation by these agen- cies in an environmental justice forum scheduled for later in fiscal year 1995. Completed Milestones 8/94 Identified sites where ATSDR is addressing health concerns. 12/94 Identified affected Federal agencies. 12/94 Drafted correspondence to agencies introducing pilot program and requesting participation. 12/94 Met with representatives from PHS, HHS, and HUD. Contact Mike Sanderson, (913) 551-7664 Region 1O Region lO's Hazardous Waste Division (HWD) participated in an interagency educa- tion and outreach training for the new EPA-Alaska AmeriCorp volunteers. Training was provided by key personnel of Native Alaskan organizations, the Alaska education system, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and EPA. Thirteen of the fifteen trainees were Native Alaskans representing their own villages. The EPA- Alaska AmeriCorps project, which includes at least 15 different locations throughout Alaska, targets volunteer action to identify and resolve solid/hazardous waste and water issues at the local level. Region 10 will provide technical assistance on an as-needed basis. Completed Milestones 1/95 Trained AmeriCorp volunteers. 76 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Interagency Cooperation Contact Fran Stefan, (206) 553-6639 Action Item Increase and improve coordination between Federal agencies to avoid duplica- tion of efforts and ensure coordination on environmental justice issues. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OS WER) has been working with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to develop health and safety training for communities with environmental justice concerns. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under Contracts, Grants, and Labor topic area. This entry is also reported in the Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships topic area.] Office of Underground Storage Tanks The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) signed an interagency agreement (IAG) with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and transferred $15,000 from the LUST Trust Fund to BIA's Yakima Agency. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported in the Underground Storage Tank (UST) topic area.] Office of Solid Waste The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) and ACTION, through an interagency agreement, placed Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) volunteers in Native Alaskan Vil- lages to work on solid waste management issues. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) topic area.] Region 2 Cooperation among Federal agencies is encouraged in addressing environmental jus- tice concerns in areas where authority and responsibilities overlap. In Region 2, ATSDR began a study of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe to evaluate potential health effects resulting from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB). [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways topic area.] Region 6 To avoid duplication of effort with other Federal agencies, Region 6 participates in the Region 6 Federal Interagency Cooperation Workgroup. This workgroup meets quar- terly to discuss ways to deliver meaningful assistance to Region 6 Tribes and avoid duplication of effort on Indian lands among agencies. The agencies participating in the workgroup include IHS, BIA, and EPA. In addition to the quarterly meetings, technical consultations occur monthly between the IHS, BIA, and Region 6. Region 6 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 77 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues and Headquarters also hosted a conference in January 1995 to promote cooperation and discuss concerns about solid waste. The conference brought together Tribes from Region 6, BIA, IHS, and small municipalities to demonstrate the advantages gained by entering into cooperative agreements, including increasing the populations served and resulting in a reduction of per capita costs. Completed Milestones 1/95 Hosted a conference to promote cooperation between Tribes and municipalities. Contact Will Lemmond, (214) 665-6752 In addition, as part of the Superfund Remedial Investigation at the RSR Corporation (West Dallas Lead) site in Dallas, Texas, Region 6 is working closely with the Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) and indirectly with HUD to address lead contamination in a Federally funded housing project (Operable Unit 2). [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the CERCLA topic area.] Region 7 Region 7 is committed to working closely with ATSDR to involve the public in health issues at hazardous waste sites. Region 7 and ATSDR have begun meeting to explore ways that they can reach minority and low-income populations to educate them in the ATSDR petitioning process and about health concerns at hazardous waste sites. Coop- eration in these activities between ATSDR and Region 7 is ongoing. Completed Milestones 2/95 Initiated contact with ATSDR to educate and encourage minority and low-income populations in the use of the petition process. Contact Alan Wehmeyer, (913) 551-7336 Region 1O Region 10 has initiated a large interagency effort to address minority concerns in rural Alaska. The Region 10 Hazardous Waste Division serves as lead agency for the Fed- eral Field Workgroup (FFW) to identify and solve severe sanitation issues in rural Alaska. The interagency group is composed of representatives from Federal agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the Departments of Commerce, Educa- tion, Labor, Transportation, and HUD; Alaska Departments of Community and Re- gional Affairs, and Environmental Conservation; the Alaska Area Native HealthAsso- ciation; IHS; BIA; University of Alaska; and other concerned agencies. This inter- agency group has been successful in assisting communities in obtaining adequate sani- tation by providing residents with funding to pay salaries for operation and mainte- nance technicians at the local level. In addition, FFW completed a draft report on Alaskan rural sanitation in March 1995. The report has been submitted to the Office of 78 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Interagency Cooperation Management and Budget {OMB) for final clearance before submission to the U.S. Congress. The Region 10 Hazardous Waste Division also began consultations with OSWER, ATSDR, and Native Alaskans to evaluate minority environmental health issues inAlaska and the appropriate mechanisms to respond to these needs. Preliminary findings sug- gest the AlaskaArea Native Health Service (AANHS) can provide screening and treat- ment services for most cases of exposure to hazardous waste contamination. Coopera- tion with AAHNS should prevent duplication of screening and treatment efforts by other agencies. Completed Milestones 1/95 Contacted ATSDR and OSWER. 1/95 Conferred with the Indian program and ATSDR. 3/95 Submitted a draft report on Alaska rural sanitation to OMB for clearance. Contacts Lee Daneker, (206) 553-1380 (Federal Field Workgroup) Fran Stefan, (206) 553-6639 (Alaska Area Native Health Service) Action Item Explore other means of cooperation with other Federal agencies, Region 9 Region 9 and HHS have agreed to cooperate on providing Federal financial assistance to a community clinic in an area of Tucson, New Mexico, with environmental justice concerns, near the Tucson International Airport Area Superfund site. This joint effort addresses health concerns of people who were exposed to drinking water contami- nated by trichloroethylene (TCE) and other contaminants from the site. Region 9 and HHS have held a series of working group meetings with clinic and community repre- sentatives to outline an implementation plan. In March 1995, HHS announced the award of a grant of approximately $300,000 to the clinic. To provide citizens in Re- gion 9 access to information on issues regarding TCE contamination, aTCE Superfund information library was opened in November 1994. Ongoing activities include monthly trips by the EPA project manager to Tucson to attend site meetings and report to the local TCE subcommittee. In addition, EPA plans to conduct tests on the municipal drinking water supply for the south side of Tucson, Arizona. Completed Milestones 11/94 Opened the TCE Superfund information library. 3/95 Announced award of the HHS grant at public meeting. Contact Craig Cooper, (415) 744-2370 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 79 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Also, with the support and cooperation of BIA and Arizona Department of Environ- mental Quality (ADEQ), Region 9 has agreed to implement a soil sampling project in a wash located within the Tohono o'odham Indian Nation. A meeting is planned for April 1995 to brief the San Xavier District Council on the project. In addition, a soil sampling agreement will be signed in May 1995. Signing of an access agreement is planned for June 1995, allowing the project to begin in July 1995. Completed Milestones 11/94 Met with BIA, EPA, and ADEQ to initiate the project. 2/95 Project planning meeting held with BIA, Region 9, and ADEQ. 3/95 Project planning meeting held with BIA, Region 9, and ADEQ. Contact Craig Cooper, (415) 744-2370 Region 1O Region lO's Water and HWD have jointly funded the Rural Alaska Sanitation Coali- tion (RASC), which is composed of representatives from Native Alaskan health and social organizations. The RASC discusses key sanitation issues confronting rural Alaska, such as solid waste. The HWD plans to prepare a solid waste interagency workshop for the RASC meeting in April 1995. Completed Milestones 11/94 Funded RASC. Contact Fran Stefan, (206) 553-6639 Action Item Incorporate environmental justice in Federal facilities priority setting and stake- holder involvement. Region 9 An EPA Region 9 staff member co-chairs and serves as the EPA liaison to the Environ- mental Clean-up and Restoration Committee of the East Bay Conservation and Rein- vestment Commission. Membership of this committee includes State and Federal regu- lators, military personnel, community residents, environmentalists, displaced work- ers, lawyers, bankers, consultants, natural resource trustees, and minority business enterprise representatives. A major effort of the committee during the first two quar- ters of fiscal year 1995 has been to develop environmental principles of re-use and 80 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Interagency Cooperation consensus on cleanup standards. One of these principles directly addresses environ- mental justice and others address related issues, such as employment of community members in the clean-up process. Consensus on the principles was reached at the last meeting in February 1995 and will now go to the full commission for approval. Completed Milestones: 2/95 Reached a consensus on cleanup standards. Contact Nancy Nadel, (415) 744-2043 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 81 ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Native American/ Tribal Issues Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 83 ------- Native American/Tribal Issues Native American/Tribal Issues Provide technical assistance and resources for Indian Tribes and Native Americans 87 Office of Solid Waste 87 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 87 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 87 Region 2 88 Region 4 88 Regions 88 Region 6 89 Region 7 90 Regions 91 Region 9 91 Region 10 91 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 85 ------- Native American/Tribal Issues Topic Area: Native American/Tribal Issues Action Item Provide technical assistance and resources for Indian Tribes and Native Ameri- cans. Office of Solid Waste The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) is providing technical assistance and additional resources to Indian Tribes and Native Americans through the following activities: • OSW appropriated a fiscal year 1994 budget of $505,000 to provide technical assistance for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) activities on In- dian lands; • OSW has been supporting the development of IndianNet, an electronic bulletin board that provides information and news on Indian issues; • OSW and the Regions formed a workgroup to develop a proposed rule that would provide Tribes an opportunity for RCRA Subtitle C (hazardous waste) authoriza- tion; • OSW sponsored the Second National Tribal Conference on Environmental Man- agement in fiscal year 1994; • OSW's Indian Programs Manager is a member of the Interagency Task Force that meets to exchange information on environmental issues relating to Tribes and OSW provided grant funds to Regions 8, 9, and 10 to promote interagency cooperation, and • OSW joined together with ACTION, the Corporation for National Service, and Native Alaskan non-profit regional corporations to place Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) and AmeriCorps volunteers in Native Alaskan villages to work on solid waste management issues. [Note: More detail on these entries is reported under the RCRA topic area.] Office of Underground Storage Tanks The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) requested Congressional authority to give Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund monies to Indian Tribes. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the Underground Storage Tank (UST) topic area.] Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response's (OERR) Superfund Tribal Involve- ment Program continues to work with Native Americans to involve them in the Super- fund cleanup process more effectively. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 87 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Geographic: Information Systems (GIS) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) topic area.] Region 2 Region 2 is providing technical assistance to Indian Tribes for the management of solid waste and USTs and is identifying the appropriate mechanisms for multi-media environmental management program support to Indian Tribes. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the UST topic area.] Region 4 Region 4 is providing technical assistance to Indian Tribes for the RCRA Subtitle D (solid waste) program and initiated a program to provide funds and technical assis- tance for solid waste disposal. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the RCRA topic area.] Region 5 The Region 5 RCRA Environmental Justice Coordinator participated in a national workgroup to make Tribes eligible to receive section 3011 grants and also participates in a subcommittee to establish funding criteria for Tribes. Also, the RCRA Subtitle D program awarded four additional solid waste grants to Indian Tribes, including amending the Michigan Inter-Tribal Council's grant to pro- vide additional funding for community recycling education at the Sagninaw-Chippewa Reservation. To continue its ongoing efforts to maintain lines of communication between appropri- ate Federal agencies and to better coordinate solid waste projects, the Solid Waste Tribal Coordinator participated in meetings of the Federal Tribal Solid Waste Task Force, reviewed and commented on the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) draft priority ranking system for solid waste projects, and participated in conference calls for the Federal Tribal Solid Waste Task Force. The Solid Waste Tribal Coordinator also com- pleted a Federal solid waste strategy which summarized Tribal solid waste needs, Fed- eral funding sources, and Federal technical assistance sources and recommended ac- tions for Federal agencies in 1994. Completed Milestones 2-9/94 Attended Federal Solid Waste Task Force meetings. Contacts Margaret Millard, (313) 353-1440 (RCRA-C) Jennifer Manville, (312) 886-7599 (RCRA-D and Solid Waste Tribal Coordinator) [Note: Parts of this entry are also reported under the RCRA topic area.] 88 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Native American/Tribal Issues Region 6 Region 6 is providing technical assistance to Indian Tribes for the RCRA Subtitle D (solid waste) program and has provided more than 23 percent of all grant funds to Indian Tribes for pilot projects to help start effective solid waste management on In- dian lands. In January 1995, Region 6 and Headquarters hosted a "regionalization" conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to promote cooperation between Indians and non-Indians in addressing solid waste disposal concerns. Region 6 invited all Tribes and small municipalities in New Mexico. The purpose of the conference was to demonstrate the advantages gained by entering into cooperative agreements (CAs) between Tribes and municipalities because CAs can potentially increase populations served and reduce per capita costs. The Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma also submitted draft copies of its environmental laws, solid waste disposal facility regulations, and solid waste management plans to Region 6 for review and comment. Completed Milestones 2/94 Cherokee Nation submitted draft of environmental laws and regulations to Region 6. 1/95 Held "Regionalization" conference. Contact Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 In addition, the Region 6 OUST provided technical assistance to the Santa Clara In- dian Pueblo in Espanola, New Mexico. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the UST topic area.] In another initiative, Region 6 is identifying a non-National Priorities List (NPL) site on or affecting Tribal lands as a pilot site for the Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) program. This program is part of a Headquarters grant to the Hazardous Substance Research Center - South & Southwest (HSRC-S&SW) at Geor- gia Technical University. TOSC staff from HSRC-S&SW met with the Pueblo Office of Environmental Protection (POEP) and agreed to support a technical assistance and outreach effort for the Tribal community affected by contamination from the closed Taos, New Mexico, Landfill. After the new All-Pueblo Council elected its governing body in January 1995, the POEP introduced TOSC staff to the Council and requested the Council's approval of the proposed technical assistance and outreach effort. The Council approved the TOSC outreach effort and TOSC began providing technical assistance to POEP in its communication and outreach efforts. Completed Milestones 9/94 Selected TOSC pilot. 10/94 Implemented TOSC outreach program. 1/95 Met with the All-Pueblo Council. 1/95 Received council approval for POEP outreach. 2/95 Began providing technical assistance to POEP. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 89 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Contact Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 Region 6 also has established a multi-media workgroup that specifically focuses on funding Native American environmental programs through EPA grants. The workgroup meets weekly and is instrumental in focusing Region 6 efforts to improve Tribal envi- ronmental protection, to take primary responsibility for the oversight of the Region's Indian programs, and to ensure consistency and timeliness in implementation. The workgroup reviews Regional efforts to build response capacity in Tribes for address- ing environmental issues and to ensure timely funding of cooperative agreements be- tween the Region and the Tribes. Region 6 also negotiated the Inter-Tribal Environmental Council of Oklahoma Coop- erative Agreement, a program classified as a minority business enterprise accomplish- ment. Completed Milestones 7/94 Established multi-media workgroup. 9/94 Negotiated Inter-Tribal Environmental Council of Oklahoma cooperative agreement. Contact Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 Region 7 Region 7 has initiated the following activities to ensure that its programs provide tech- nical and financial assistance to Indian Tribes: • Implementing general assistance agreements with each Tribe to address solid waste and UST/LUST activities; • Providing assistance to address dump closing, and the closure and removal of USTs; • Reviewing environmental codes and ordinances submitted by the Omaha, Santee Sioux, and Winnebago Tribes to ensure that they include solid waste requirements; • Assisting Tribes in applying for education grants to fund and conduct household hazardous waste education, and • Assisting Tribes in applying for pollution prevention environmental justice finan- cial assistance grants. Region 7 is also working with the BIA and Indian Health Services (IHS) to provide technical and financial assistance to the Tribes through interagency agreements (lAGs) and by providing funds for a circuit rider to assist Tribes with solid waste, hazardous waste, and UST issues. Region 7 funded the Tribal circuit rider position using solid waste and UST/LUST funding for fiscal year 1995. Region 7 is also adding funds to the BIA/EPA interagency agreement to support the attendance and participation of Tribal personnel at environmental meetings, training, and conferences. 90 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Native American/Tribal Issues Completed Milestones 1/95 Funded circuit rider to assist Tribes. Contact Althea Moses, (913) 551-7649 Region 8 Region 8 assisted State and Tribal enforcement programs in complying with UST leak detection requirements by taking direct Federal action both on and off Indian lands. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the UST topic area.] Region 9 Region 9 organized two workgroups primarily comprised of representatives from BIA and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). One of the workgroups ad- dresses Tribal solid waste concerns in California and the other addresses the same concerns in Nevada and Arizona. The Nevada/Arizona workgroup also has Tribal representation form the Inter-Tribal Councils of Nevada and Arizona. The purpose of these two workgroups is to exchange information and target Tribes to receive assis- tance. Completed Milestones 10/94 California workgroup selected top 10 sites. 11/94 Conducted workgroup meeting. 2/95 Conducted workgroup meeting. 3/95 Conducted workgroup meeting. Contact Rebecca Jamison, (415) 744-2098 Region 1O Region 10 is providing technical assistance and additional resources to Indian Tribes and Native Americans through the following activities: • Region 10's Indian Coordinator assisted Tribes in organizing conferences on envi- ronmental issues; • The RCRA program provided $15,000 in scholarship funds for Tribes to attend the National Recycling Congress; • Region 10 is using Senior Environmental Employee circuit riders to conduct out- reach and technical assistance to Tribes and Native Alaskan villages; • The Region's solid waste circuit rider is working with the Nooksack, Coeur d'Alene, and other Tribes to investigate their complaints about old dumps and/or illegal dumps; Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 91 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues • The Region is implementing a Solid Waste Network that is composed of represen- tatives from various Federal agencies; • Region 10 established a Native Alaskan Villager workgroup to provide technical assistance and coordinate policy issues, concerns, and responses related to multi- media issues; • The RCRA Solid Waste Program has continued to provide Regional input and oversight for three Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) volunteers placed in rural Alaska; • The RCRA program supports Alaskan waste management through several grant- funded programs including a $116,000 multi-year grant to the Chugachmiut orga- nization to design a model for managing household hazardous waste in rural Alaska; and • The Indian Coordinator and Region 10 Executive Team established a number of new positions with the goal of improving delivery of services, outreach, grant management, and technical assistance to Tribes. [Note: More detail on these entries is reported under the RCRA topic area.] 92 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Cross-Cutting Issues Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 93 ------- Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Establish a centralized focal point and coordinator for environmental justice issues 97 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 97 Develop OSWER environmental justice strategy as part of EPA response to Executive Order 12898 97 Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 97 Revise and expand environmental justice training module 98 Technology Innovation Office 98 Develop training to educate OSWER Headquarters and waste program personnel and increase awareness of environmental justice issues 99 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 99 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 99 Region 1 100 Region 2 100 Regions 101 Region 4 101 RegionS 101 Region 6 102 Region 7 102 RegionS 102 Region 9 103 Region 10 103 Develop creative pilots for addressing environmental justice concerns in specific geographic areas 103 Region 2 103 Region 4 104 RegionS 105 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 95 ------- Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Topic Area: Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Action Item Establish a centralized focal point and coordinator for environmental justice issues. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response The Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) formed a steering com- mittee to oversee progress toward implementing environmental justice in waste-re- lated programs and to resolve major issues that occur during implementation of the recommendations contained in the "OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force Draft Final Report." The steering committee is chaired by the Deputy Assistant Administra- tor for OSWER and is composed of senior managers and experienced staff from each OSWER program office. These offices include the Office of Emergency and Reme- dial Response (OERR or Superf und), the Office of Solid Waste, the Office of Under- ground Storage Tanks (OUST), the Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Preven- tion Office, the Technology Innovation Office, the Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office, and the two "lead" Regions who help coordinate Regional issues. The steering committee has been meeting every month since June 1994. Completed Milestones 6/94 Initiated monthly steering committee meetings. Contact Timothy D. Mott, (202) 260-2447 Action Item Develop OSWER environmental justice strategy as part of EPA response to Executive Order 12898. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response The "OSWER Environmental Justice Action Agenda" provides a concise summary of OSWER's current strategy and describes an implementation process for ensuring that major environmental justice issues continue to be recognized and addressed. The Agenda represents OSWER's commitment to implement the objectives of Executive Order 12898. Implementation plans written by the OSWER program offices and the ten Regional offices are an integral part of the "OSWER Environmental Justice Action Agenda." The action agenda follows two previously published documents, the "OSWER Envi- ronmental Justice Task Force Draft Final Report" and its separate executive summary Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 97 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues document. These reports were published on April 25, 1994, in final draft form and were distributed for final comment. In distribution of these reports, EPA wanted to provide the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) with the op- portunity to comment and influence the final strategy. Completed Milestones 11/93 Directed formation of the OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force. 1-4/94 Conducted a series of outreach meetings inside and outside the Agency, and issued a draft task force report for public comment. 4/94 Released "OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force Draft Final Report" at a press and stakeholders briefing. 4/94 Worked to implement recommendation as requested by the OSWER Assistant Administrator. 5/94 Requested review of the "OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force Draft Final Report" by the NEJAC Waste and Facility Siting Subcommittee. 1/95 Endorsement of a Ten Point Implementation Framework for the OSWER Strategy by the NEJAC subcommittee. 5/95 Assistant Administrator signed "OSWER Environmental Justice Action Agenda." Contact Jim Maas, (202) 260-8927 Action Item Revise and expand environmental justice training module. Technology Innovation Office The Technology Innovation Office (TIO) developed an environmental justice training module to educate all new On-Scene Coordinators, Remedial Project Managers, and Site Assessment Managers who interact with citizens and communities. To design the new training module, TIO and OERR collected and evaluated the fol- lowing materials from the Office of Environmental Justice. (OEJ): video presentations, case study exercises, flyers, and other publications on environmental justice. The module was drafted in 1994 and distributed in January 1995 throughout OERR and OEJ for review and comments. The comments are due back in March 1995. After review, the comments will be incorporated, and the final module will be distributed for inclusion in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liabil- ity (CERCLA) Education Center training courses. Completed Milestones 12/94 Completed design of draft module. 1/95 Distributed draft module for review. 98 —Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Contacts Naomie Smith, (703) 308-8848 Ann Eleanor, (703) 308-8826 Peter Redmond, (703) 603-8751 Action Item Develop training to educate OSWER Headquarters and waste program personnel and increase awareness of environmental justice issues. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) implemented several train- ing efforts to increase staff awareness of environmental justice issues and concerns. In September 1994, OERR completed a local government reimbursement module for Indian Tribes as part of first responders training course. OERR has also drafted a new training module on environmental justice for its community relations training. The new module is currently under review. At the March 1995 Community Involvement Conference, which was attended by community relations staff from all ten Regions, a morning session focused on environmental justice issues. Dr. Bob Bullard, a renown professional in the field of environmental justice, presented an overview of environ- mental justice during the session. Dr. Bullard presented a similar session to Headquar- ters staff in April 1995. Completed Milestones 9/94 As part of first responders training, OERR completed a local government reimbursement module for Indian Tribes. 2/95 Drafted new training module on environmental justice for community relations staff. 3/95 Conducted Community Involvement Conference. 4/95 Dr. Bullard made a presentation to Headquarters staff. Contact Rafael Gonzalez, (703) 603-8892 Office of Underground Storage Tanks In an effort to educate personnel on environmental justice issues, OUST issued a memo- randum to inform staff of UST environmental issues that affect environmental justice. In September 1994, OUST designated the chief of the Communications and Program Management Branch as the organizational contact for environmental issues within OUST, however, the responsibility was recently transferred to the Regulatory Analysis Branch Chief. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 99 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Completed Milestones 6/94 Sent memorandum to OUST staff on environmental justice. 9/94 Designated an organizational contact for environmental justice issues within OUST training. Contact Sammy Ng, (703) 308-8882 Region 1 Region I continued to work with the New England Environmental Justice Council to ensure effective coordination on environmental justice within the Region and provide a central contact for external stakeholders. The council, comprised of the Leadership Team members and staff from each program, worked in coordination with the Region's Office of Civil Rights and Urban Affairs and the Training Office, to develop training for EPA Region I employees in environmental justice. Training is scheduled to take place this fiscal year. Completed Milestones 9/94 Initiated development of environmental justice training modules. 3/95 Completed development of environmental justice training modules. 3/95 Held two test pilot training sessions. Contacts Stephanie Carr, (617) 565-3390 Rhona Julian, (617) 565-9454 Region 2 To increase environmental justice awareness, Region 2 drafted an environmental jus- tice training plan for Regional staff and management. This training instructs managers on how to consider environmental justice in developing policy, and provides staff with the necessary tools to incorporate environmental justice into daily work activities. Implementation of the plan is scheduled for summer 1995. Completed Milestones 6/94 Regional Administrator accepted training plan. Contact Melva Hayden, (212) 637-5027 100 —Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Region 3 Region 3's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Training Group and management personnel are developing training modules to provide RCRA staff with a common understanding of environmental justice issues. In addition, the training de- lineates expectations for incorporating environmental justice into the RCRA program. The group is also developing training sessions that target process modifications at the staff level to integrate environmental justice into daily work activities. Completed Milestones 12/94 Initiated kick-off meeting for preparation of the RCRA environmental justice training. Contact Harry Daw, (215)597-3177 Region 4 Region 4 reviewed Headquarters' environmental justice training modules and deliv- ered its comments in March 1995. The Community Relations Coordinator is currently developing environmental justice training modules for the Region. Region 4 will be- gin conducting local training courses in April 1995. Completed Milestones 3/95 Reviewed and commented on Headquarters' environmental justice training modules. Contact Eddie Wright, (404) 347-3555 (voice mailbox 6310) Region 5 Region 5's RCRA and Superfund Environmental Justice Training Coordinators worked in partnership with the Division Training Officer and the OSWER Training Forum to develop a division-wide workshop on environmental justice. The Environmental Jus- tice Workshop was conducted twice a week for RCRA staff from February 21, 1995, through March 23,1995. Several topics were discussed during the training, including the history and definition of environmental justice; how to identify sites with environ- mental justice concerns; using geographic information systems; how environmental justice is incorporated into the OSWER strategic and implementation plan; and how environmental justice applies to the various RCRA program elements. The workshop for Superfund staff also will be presented in April 1995. Completed Milestones 1/95 Developed Environmental Justice Workshop. 2/95 Conducted first Environmental Justice Workshop for RCRA staff. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 101 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Contacts Margaret Millard, (312) 353-1440 Karla Johnson, (312) 886-5993 Region 6 The Region 6 Environmental Justice Workgroup developed a one-day training session on environmental justice for Region 6 staff. The goal of the training session is to increase sensitivity to environmental justice and to network with other EPA programs to speed "culturalization" of environmental justice into daily work. The training ses- sion introduced the concept of environmental justice, highlighted Regional environ- mental justice activities, and provided an overview of the "OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force Draft Final Report" and the corresponding "Region 6 Environmen- tal Justice Implementation Plan." Region 6 will further develop the training session to incorporate specific environmental justice action items and provide an overview of "lessons learned." Completed Milestones 8/94 Developed first round of Regional environmental justice training. Contact Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 Region 7 Region 7 developed diversity awareness training to assist staff in recognizing and appreciating diverse cultures as a foundation for assuring environmental justice. The Region's diversity awareness training is interactive and encourages staff to express their questions and concerns about environmental justice and its impact on their re- sponsibilities. Region 7 also invited Headquarters management to the Region to dis- cuss environmental justice awareness with the staff. Presentation of the diversity aware- ness training is ongoing, Contact Gayle Padgett, (913) 551-7914 Region 8 Region 8's RCRAand Superfund Environmental Justice Training Coordinators worked in partnership with the Regional Environmental Justice Workgroup and the OSWER Training Forum to develop a region-wide training curriculum on environmental jus- tice. The Region conducted eight two-hour sessions on environmental justice issues and concerns. The training sessions have received positive feedback, and the Region plans to follow this training with more advanced and comprehensive training in the near future. 102 —Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Completed Milestones 3/95 Completed eight environmental justice training sessions. Contact Armando Saenz, (303) 293-1532 Region 9 Region 9 developed a project plan for environmental justice training and is working to develop a detailed outline for environmental justice orientations. The Region also plans to invite speakers from academia, organizations, and communities to increase staff awareness about environmental justice concerns that should be considered in their daily activities. Completed Milestones 1/95 Developed project plan for Regional environmental justice training. Contact Dianna Young, (415) 744-2178 Region 1O Region 10 has received the Headquarter's Office of Environmental Justice training modules and has begun tailoring the training module to meet Regional needs and envi- ronmental justice concerns. The training will consist of formal presentations, infor- mal and educational panel discussions, and guest speakers. The Region's Environ- mental Justice Network has drafted a strategy for providing the panel discussions and guest speakers. Regional training and a panel discussion have been scheduled for sum- mer 1995. Completed Milestones Fall 1994 Drafted strategy for panel discussions and guest speakers. Contact Joyce Kelly, (206) 553-4029 Action Item Develop creative pilots for addressing environmental justice concerns in spe- cific geographic areas. Region 2 Region 2 has focused its RCRA inspections and enforcement efforts on environmental justice concern areas, including Newark and Camden, New Jersey, and Greenpoint and Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 103 ------- Cross-Cutting Issues Williamsburg, New York. [Note: More detail on this entry is reported under the RCRA topic area.] Region 4 Region 4 is conducting an environmental justice pilot in the City of Tifton, Georgia, to explore options for addressing the environmental problems associated with the area, including securing community involvement in decision making and forming partner- ships with local. State, and private organizations. Tifton has a high concentration of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, Liability Act Information System (CERCLIS) sites and RCRA facilities in low-income and minority communi- ties. Region 4 has identified the CERCLIS sites, RCRA facilities, and Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) sites in the area, and taken the following actions: • EPA met with State and local officials and held a public meeting to introduce the initiative and provide an update on activities at the identified sites; • Region 4 hired a community liaison to assist in community relations and coordina- tion; • EPA held a public meeting on the proposed cleanup remedy for the Marsone NPL Site in Tifton and a final decision on the remedy was made in September 1994; • Region 4 completed the removal activities at the So-Green Site and the Golden Seed Site in Tifton; and • EPA held a public meeting to present the plan for neighborhood sampling efforts and, in March 1995. EPA completed the field activities for the effort. This sam- pling effort was completed in cooperation with ATSDR to determine the pollutants to which the neighborhood could be exposed. The effort encompassed approxi- mately a one-mile area neat the Marsone and So-Green/Parramore Sites. The Region expects to present the results of this sampling in summer 1995. Completed Milestones 1/94 Held a public meeting to introduce the Tifton project. 6/94 Hired a community liaison. 7/94 Held a public meeting on the remedy for the Marsone NPL Site. 9/94 Made a decision on the remedy for the Marsone NPL Site. 9/94 Completed removal action at the So-Green Site. 10/94 Completed removal action at the Golden Seed Site. 2/95 Held public meeting to discuss plan for neighborhood sampling effort. 3/95 Completed field work for neighborhood sampling effort. Contacts JoAnn Benante, (404) 347-3555 x6234 Betty Winter, (404) 347-3555 x6264 104 —Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Internal Training, Organization, and Program Implementation Region 5 Region 5's RCRA staff, working in partnership with the Office of Public Affairs' En- vironmental Education Specialist, is developing a pilot project to provide a two-week summer training course for teachers in the southeast Chicago area to address environ- mental justice concerns. The training will cover environmental justice issues, multi- media environmental topics, and the southeast Chicago Initiative. Region 5 issued a request for proposals to solicit a host university for the training course and selected Chicago State University, a teacher's college with a predominately African-American student body. The Region will be awarding a grant to the university for its support. Completed Milestones 9/94 Issued a request for proposals. 3/95 Selected Chicago State University as the host university. Contact Suzanne Saric, (312) 353-3209 Waste Programs rnviionmente! Justice Accomplishments Report— 105 ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 109 ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Siting of new facilities—Evaluate location standards, environmental justice issues, and setback distances and develop guidance to provide technical assistance to State, Tribal, and local governments 113 Office of Solid Waste 113 Incorporate environmental justice priorities into annual RCRA Implementation Plan 114 Office of Solid Waste 114 Siting of new facilities—Craft a grant condition to State grant agreements to require States to consider environmental justice concerns when making siting decisions based on protecting human health and the environment 114 Region 1 114 Region 3 115 RegionS 115 Region 6 116 Region 7 116 RCRA Permits—Establish strategy to respond effectively to all environmental justice issues raising health-related concerns 117 Regions 117 Region 6 118 RCRA Public Involvement—Develop methods to expand public involvement in siting and permitting, and increase efforts (resources) committed to public involvement 118 Office of Solid Waste 118 Region 2 119 RegionS 121 RegionS 121 Region 6 122 Region 7 122 Region 10 123 RCRA Corrective Action—Examine whether priority-setting method adequately considers environmental justice concerns and ensure that activities are consistent with Superfund program policies 123 Office of Solid Waste 123 Region 1 124 Region 2 124 RegionS 125 Region 4 125 Region 6 125 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 111 ------- Program-Specific issues Region? 126 Region 9 126 Utilize the geographic information system in RCRA 126 Office of Solid Waste 126 Region 2 127 Disproportionate impacts research -Perform demographics analysis around combustion facilities 127 Region5 127 Region? 128 RCRA Tribal implementation issues—Accelerate efforts to develop draft rule for Subtitle C hazardous waste authorization to tribes 128 Office of Solid Waste 128 Region 5 128 RCRA Tribal implementation issues—Expand the VISTA program to provide assistance to Native Alaskan Villages on solid waste management issues 129 Office of Solid Waste 129 RCRA Tribal implementation issues—Enhance training and outreach activities, seek to leverage resouices, and coordinate environmental activities among Federal agencies 130 Office of Solid Waste 130 Region *\ ,, 131 Region 5 132 Region 6 133 Region 10 133 RCRA Enforcement—Ensure the consideration of environmental justice in RCRA enforcement activities 136 Region 1 , 136 Region 2 137 Region 3 , , , 138 Region5 139 Region? , 139 Region 9 139 Address environmental justice issues associated with RCRA Subtitle D (Solid Waste) 140 Region 1 140 Regions 140 112 — Waste Piogr-Mns Qtviromnnn'"! ,li>~>»" /vyompljslimenfs Ftepnit ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Topic Area: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Action Item Siting of new facilities—Evaluate location standards, environmental justice is- sues, and setback distances and develop guidance to provide technical assis- tance to State, Tribal, and local governments. Office of Solid Waste The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) formed the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Siting Workgroup to review policy options related to siting of RCRA facilities. The workgroup, composed of representatives of various Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) offices, Headquarters media program of- fices (e.g., air, toxics), other Headquarters offices (e.g., Office of General Counsel (OGC), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ)), and the Regional offices, held five meetings between April 1994 and April 1995 to evaluate technical issues related to the potential risk in various geographic locations as well as environmental justice issues raised about RCRA facility siting. The workgroup also met with State officials and members of the National Environ- mental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) to discuss environmental justice concerns and potential solutions. The Workgroup presented its initial findings and proposed action plan to the Assistant Administrator of OSWER (AA/OSWER). The workgroup gave special consideration to plans for developing technical assistance guidance for State, local, and Tribal gov- ernments and developing a national summary of existing State, local, and Tribal siting requirements. Based on the response of the AA/OSWER, OSW will implement and, as appropriate, revise its proposed follow-up actions. Completed Milestones 4/94 Formed RCRA Siting Workgroup. 8/94 Presented draft workgroup report to the AA/OSWER. 9/94 Held AA/OSWER briefing. 11/94 Formed Location Standards Workgroup. 1/95 Prepared Siting Workgroup Plan. 1/95 Held siting discussions with the NEJAC 1/95 Held siting discussions with the National Solid Waste Management Association. 2/95 Held OSWER meeting. Contact Vernon Myers, (703) 308-8660 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 113 ------- Program-Specific issues Action Item Incorporate environmental justice priorities into annual RCRA Implementation Plan. Office of Solid Waste For the first time, OSW incorporated an environmental justice section into the RCRA Implementation Plan (RIP). The fiscal year 1995 RIP discusses five environmental justice recommendations from the "OSWER Environmental Justice Task Force Draft Final Report": • Identification of geographical areas that raise environmental justice concerns; • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act; • Siting of RCRA facilities; • Public participation in siting and permitting decisions; and • RCRA corrective action. The RIP also calls for Regions to develop implementation plans to address the recom- mendations. OSW plans to further integrate environmental justice concepts into the RIP for the fiscal year 1996. Completed Milestones 5/94 Issued fiscal year 1995 RIP Addendum. Contact Jeff Tumarkin, (703) 308-8755 Action Item Siting of new facilities—Craft a grant condition to State grant agreements to require States to consider environmental justice concerns when making siting decisions based on protecting human health and the environment. Region 1 Region I modified the Waste Management Division's (WMD's) guidance to States applying for Federal grants under RCRA Subtitle C (hazardous waste) to include ref- erences to environmental justice. The Region added language describing the mandate for Federal agencies to address environmental justice among minority and low-in- come populations. The guidance is designed to encourage the States to focus inspec- tion and enforcement efforts in environmental justice areas and requires States to in- corporate environmental justice scores for their permitting and closure commitments. Region I sent the revised RCRA Subtitle C grant guidance to States in the Region, and all States have addressed environmental justice in their final grant applications. 114 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Completed Milestones 5/94 Provided grant guidance incorporating environmental justice to the States. Contact Joan Serra, (617) 223-5527 Region 3 Region 3 held discussions with all the States in its jurisdiction about incorporating environmental justice considerations in their grant workplans. To date, all States in Region 3 have included various work activities in their grant workplans such as the identification of environmental justice areas of concern through development and use of geographical information systems (GIS), the RCRA Information System (RCRIS), and environmental justice studies. State grant workplans also include developing of training and resource materials to inform the public and staff about environmental justice issues. Completed Milestones 4/94 State program managers developed Regional guidance for States to fol low in developing fiscal year 1995 workplans. 4/94 Included environmental justice issues as a topic for discussion at the State directors meeting. 5/94 Sent fiscal year 1995 grant guidance to States. 6/94 Submitted fiscal year 1995 draft workplans. Contact Charles (Pete) Bentley, (215) 597-7188 Region 5 During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1994, Region 5's RCRA program office drafted a generic grant workplan "State activity" commitment to incorporate environmental justice. The Region negotiated this commitment with all six Region 5 States and each of the States included environmental justice as a "State activity" in its fiscal year 1995 grant workplan. Completed Milestones 6/94 Drafted a generic grant workplan "State activity" commitment to incorporate environmental justice. 8/94 Negotiated environmental justice "State activity" commitment with all six Region 5 States. Contacts RichTraub, (312) 353-8319 Margaret Millard, (312) 353-1440 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 115 ------- Program-Specific issues Region 6 To ensure that States consider environmental justice concerns in their environmental programs, Region 6 established a multi-media Grants Integration Network (GIN) Workgroup in August 1994 that meets biweekly to monitor Regional grant activity and to ensure that the themes of environmental justice, pollution prevention, public par- ticipation, and others are embodied in Regional grants to States. The workgroup was established in August 1994 and continues to meet to ensure that all Region 6 grants consider these themes. Also, Region 6 included environmental justice as a new initiative program element in its RCRA Section 3011 multi-year grant workplan, which will affect all State RCRA Subtitle C programs. Region 6 worked with States to identify environmental justice issues and opportunities to ensure that environmental justice activities are part of State programs. States in the Region are developing environmental justice strategies, in- cluding provisions for identifying sites or areas that would most likely raise environ- mental justice concerns. They are requesting clear guidance from EPA, however, on their approach. EPA is working closely with States to provide this guidance. Completed Milestones 8/94 Established the GIN Workgroup in Region 6 (multi-media). 9/94 States began development of environmental justice strategies. Contacts William Rhea, (214) 665-6767 (GIN Workgroup) Ann Zimmerman, (214) 665-8532 (Region/State efforts related to implementation of the RCRA Section 3011 workplan) Region 7 Region 7 RCRA mid-level managers met with their State counterparts to discuss envi- ronmental justice concerns. Based on these discussions, authorized RCRA program States included sections on environmental justice in their fiscal year 1995 State/EPA agreement workplans. The workplans also included sections on expanded public par- ticipation, which will better allow interested groups to provide input on environmental justice issues or other concerns related to facility siting. Completed Milestones 7/94 Met with State directors. 10/94 Incorporated environmental justice issues in workplans for State grants (Kansas—7/94; Missouri—8/94; Nebraska—10/94). Contact Wes Bartley, (913) 551-7632 116 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Action Item RCRA Permits—Establish strategy to respond effectively to all environmental justice issues raising health-related concerns. Region 5 Region 5's RCRA program office has responded to environmental justice concerns raised by communities during the permitting process and has developed a procedure for addressing these concerns. For sites where the public has expressed environmental justice concerns, the Region has included a discussion of the concerns, along with the Region's proposed actions in its response to public comments and in the administra- tive record. During early 1995, the Region formed a workgroup in the RCRA Permits Branch to examine how environmental justice might be taken into consideration for every permit action. The workgroup drafted a "permit writer's checklist" to be used as a screening device. The checklist would be included in the administrative docket and would be made available to the public as an educational tool. The draft checklist is currently under internal review. To date, environmental justice concerns have been raised during permit actions at two sites in Region 5: the Environmental Enterprises Incorporated (EEI) facility located in Cincinnati, Ohio, (a RCRA treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) permit renewal), and the Adams Center Landfill located in Fort Wayne, Indiana (a landfill expansion permit). Also, the public raised environmental justice issues in a letter not tied to the permitting process for the Waste Technologies Industries (WTI) incinerator, located in East Liverpool. Environmental justice concerns were raised with regard to air emissions from the EEI facility. As part of the EEI permit renewal process, the Region determined that a risk analysis for fugitive air emissions from containers and process trains was appropriate to determine the human health and environmental risks associated with the emissions. Additionally, the Region, in partnership with the Ohio EPA, will be pursuing enhanced enforcement, public outreach, and education at this facility. For the Adams Center Landfill expansion permit, a demographic analysis was com- pleted and additional public outreach was conducted, including an informal public meeting, in August 1994, that was attended by concerned constituents, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Fort Wayne Urban League, the Fort Wayne Ministerial Alliance, and local citizen groups, to listen to environmental justice concerns. The Region determined that further risk analysis or assessment was not appropriate at this time. A risk assessment is currently underway at the WTI incinerator, as is a demographic analysis of the surrounding community to identify potential environmental justice con- cerns. Completed Milestones 10/94 Formed workgroup to develop standard procedures for integrating environmental justice into permit decision-making. 12/94 Drafted the "permit writer's checklist." Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 117 ------- Program-Specific issues 12/94 Decided to conduct risk analysis for fugitive air emissions at the EEI facility as part of the permit renewal process. 12/94 Decided not to conduct further risk analysis and/or assessment at the Adams Center Landfill. Contacts Steve Bouchard, (312) 886-4437 (permitting workgroup, EEI facility) Harriet Croke, (312) 353-4789 (WTI incinerator) George Hamper, (312) 886-0987 (permitting workgroup) Don Heller, (312) 353-1248 (Adams Center Landfill) Region 6 Region 6, RCRA Permits Branch developed a communication strategy for coordinat- ing with other Regional and Headquarters offices on environmental justice issues re- garding health or Civil Rights Act Title VI complaints. Under the strategy, RCRA Permits will coordinate with Headquarter's Office of Civil Rights and OSW, and Re- gion 6's Management Division and Office of Regional Counsel (ORC). Completed Milestones 9/94 Developed communication strategy for addressing environmental justice issues, including Title VI complaints. Contact Cathy Carter, (214) 665-7434 Action Item RCRA Public Involvement—Develop methods to expand public involvement in siting and permitting, and increase efforts (resources) committed to public involvement. Office of Solid Waste OSW proposed a public participation rule on June 2, 1994, that will expand public involvement opportunities during the RCRA permitting process. The lack of opportu- nities for communities to become involved in environmental decision-making is a contributing cause to environmental justice issues. The public participation rule will help empower all communities, including minority and low- income populations, by providing communities with a greater voice in decision-making and a stronger oppor- tunity to influence permit decisions early in the process. The rule seeks to encourage public involvement by informing the public of potential facility operations prior to permit submittal. The proposed rule, entitled "RCRA Ex- panded Public Participation and Revisions to Combustion Permitting Procedures," expands public involvement by: 118 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act • Requiring the facility to conduct a meeting with the community before it submits its permit applications; • Calling for the permitting agency to provide public notice when it receives an application, as well as before a trial burn takes place; and • Enabling the permitting agency to require a facility to maintain an information repository in some situations. OSW formed a workgroup to prepare the proposed rule. The workgroup will continue its efforts to finalize the rule. Completed Milestones 3/94 Reached workgroup closure. 6/94 Issued proposed rule. Contact Patricia Buzzell, (703) 308-8632 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] OSW also has representatives on the Agency's Permit Improvements Team. The team, established in July 1994, consists of a group of EPA, State, Tribal, and local govern- ment officials examining all of EPA's permit programs to identify how they can be improved. Enhancing public participation is one of the areas in which the team is developing recommendations. The team's public participation task force met with a representa- tive from Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) and, as a result, made a preliminary recommendation that the Environmental Justice Public Participation checklist, devel- oped by the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice, be utilized as guid- ance to the extent appropriate and feasible. The team will continue coordinating with OEJ in order to promote consistency in approaches to enhancing public involvement. Completed Milestones 3/95 Permit Improvements Team's Enhanced Public Participation Task Force met with OEJ. 4/95 Mailed preliminary recommendations to stakeholders. Contact Patricia Buzzell, (703) 308-8632 Region 2 Region 2 developed a RCRA action plan for enhanced public involvement and began the implementation of this plan at an environmental justice site in Puerto Rico. The Region also initiated an innovative outreach program with the El Puente school in New York. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 119 ------- Program-Specific issues To encourage earlier, more meaningful pnHir involvement, especially in environmen- tal justice areas, Region 2's RCP "> :"-ii'ui plan Mcliesscs sv major aspects of public involvement: • Fostering public involvement at the planning stage; • Requiring each facility to submit a citizen participation plan; • Involving community-based oigani/atkms; • Simplifying the language used in public notices; • Publishing public notices in the common language of the community; and • Increasing the involvement of States (New York and New Jersey) and the Environ- mental Quality Board (F-QB) of Pueito Rico. Region 2 established contacts with the States and Puerto Rico to work with EPA on the action plan. To begin implementing the RCRA action plan, Region 2 developed an outline of citizen participation plans. Implementation of the complete action plan will begin by fiscal year 1996. Region 2 is applying its improved and expanded public participation procedures at Squibb Manufacturing Incorporated (Squibb), a site with environmental justice con- cerns located in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Squibb submitted & RCRA permit renewal application for the operation of three hazardous waste incinerator units and seven haz- ardous waste storage tanks at the site. Under the new procedures, an initial pre-appli- cation review public meeting was held on February 28,1995. In addition to the Region's traditional public notification piocedures in print and through radio announcements in Spanish and English, notifications weie spread to community centers and homes lo- cated near the facility. Two public meetings were held, and concerned community members had the opportunity to raise their concerns in both languages. The Region and the EQB distributed to the community bilingual written responses to public com- ments. The Region also established a public information repository at the Public Li- brary of the Municipality of Humacao. In other efforts, officials from the Region and the New York City Department of Envi- ronmental Protection conducted outreach activities with El Puente, a local commu- nity-based organization. [Note; More detail on this entry is reported under the Out- reach, Communications, and Partnership topic area.] Completed Milestones 9/94 Drafted the RCRA action plan for public involvement. 9/94 Identified the Squibb site as a site with environmsntal justice concerns. 11/94 Developed community mailing list for the Squibb site. 12/94 Notified local community groups of the pre-application meeting for the Squibb site. 12/94 Developed an outline for citizen participation plans. 1/95 Issued public notices about the Squibb site in Spanish and English. 2/95 Held the pic application meeting for the Squibb site. 120 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Contacts Andrew Bellina, (212) 637-4109 (RCRA action plan) Wilfredo Palomino, (212) 637-4179 (RCRA action plan and Squibb) Michael Poetzsch, (212) 637-414 (Squibb) Joseph Mallei, (212) 637-4101 (Squibb) Region 3 Region 3 is engaged in two activities to incorporate environmental justice concerns into the RCRA public participation process. The Region is expanding the environ- mental justice portion of the RCRA Public Involvement Manual (RPIM) and is work- ing to revise the RCRA Community Relations Plan (CRP). RCRA staff drafted a Region-specific addendum to the RPIM addressing environmen- tal justice concerns. Following final approval of the addendum, the Region will pro- vide the addendum to all RCRA facilities that are issued a corrective action order. The Region also drafted modifications to the scope of work (SOW) of the CRP to incorporate steps to ensure that RCRA facilities address environmental justice con- cerns. These modifications include requiring a RCRA facility to identify all affected demographic groups surrounding the facility and take steps to include those groups in the decision-making process. The Region will submit proposed changes to the SOW for consideration during the upcoming revision of the model order, which is planned to be completed during fiscal year 1995. Completed Milestones 5/94 Modified the CRP SOW 10 include environmental justice concerns. 6/94 Briefed managers on the modified CRP SOW. 9/94 Drafted addendum to the RPIM. Contact Harry Daw, (215)597-3177 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 5 Region 5's RCRA program office increased its public outreach efforts in response to environmental justice concerns raised in the Region. For example, during the Adams Center Landfill expansion permit process, the Region held an additional informal pub- lic meeting with concerned constituents, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Fort Wayne Urban League, the Fort Wayne Min- isterial Alliance, and local citizen groups, to listen to environmental justice concerns. For fiscal year 1995, the Region allocated an additional 0.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) from the RCRA program office to the Region's Office of Public Affairs for public Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 121 ------- Program-Specific issues participation activities. Additionally, the RCRA program office will explore reinvest- ing in RCRA public participation during RCRA streamlining planning during fiscal year 1995 and fiscal year 1996. Completed Milestones 8/94 Held an informal public meeting with concerned citizens at the Adams County Landfill. 10/94 Allocated an additional 0.5 FTE for public participation activities. Contacts Bill Omohundro, (312) 353-8254 Margaret Millard, (312) 353-1440 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 6 Region 6 assigned one FTE to the RCRA Community Involvement Permits Branch. This individual is currently training under a mentor from Superfund Community In- volvement. Region 6 will use the Superfund Community Involvement Training Mod- ules to train RCRA staff on expanding public involvement until RCRA-specific train- ing materials become available. Completed Milestones 10/94 Assigned one FTE to RCRA Community Involvement. 10/94 Tasked a mentor from Superfund Community Involvement to train a RCRA Community Involvement Coordinator. 4/95 Completed training. Contact Jennifer Morisato, (214) 665-2194 Region 7 Region 7 encouraged States to expand their public participation activities. Fiscal year 1995 State/EPA agreement workplans included sections on expanding public partici- pation and allowing interested groups to provide input on environmental justice issues or other concerns related to facility siting. Region 7 also encourages States to volun- tarily expand their public participation in environmental justice areas. Completed Milestones 10/94 States submitted EPA/State agreement workplans that include sections on expanded public involvement (Kansas—7/94; Missouri—8/94; Nebraska— 10/94). 122 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Contact WesBartley, (913) 551-7632 Region 1O During the last 6 months, the Region 10 RCRA program has had a "Stay-in-School" employee researching options for improving the Region's outreach to communities with environmental justice concerns. The "Stay-in-School" employee worked with the Central Area Motivation Program (a community social service association) to iden- tify more effective means of reaching members of a minority community in Seattle, Washington. The Region has completed its initial research, has prepared a paper on the findings for use throughout the Region, and will evaluate whether the RCRA Branch can support a pilot program within currently available resources. Completed Milestones 1/95 Drafted paper. Contact Betty Wiese, (206) 553-0695 Action Item RCRA Corrective Action—Examine whether priority-setting method adequately considers environmental justice concerns and ensure that activities are consis- tent with Superfund program policies. Office of Solid Waste OSW is incorporating environmental justice provisions in its new Hazardous Waste Identification Rule-Contaminated Media rulemaking. The draft rule would allow regu- lators to require collection of demographic data for areas surrounding sites. This re- quirement is intended to improve State and EPA assessment of and response to envi- ronmental justice concerns associated with site cleanups. In addition, OSW is evaluating whether the National Corrective Action Prioritization System (NCAPS), used to rank RCRA corrective action sites, adequately considers environmental justice concerns. The system currently enables site rankings to include environmental justice considerations. OSW will also monitor the efforts of the RCRA Siting Workgroup and incorporate the workgroup's findings and recommendations into the evaluation of NCAPS. Contact Dave Pagan, (703) 308-8625 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 123 ------- Program-Specific issues Region 1 Region 1 's WMD completed ranking of all its RCRATSD facilities using the NCAPS model to prioritize cleanup of the facilities and evaluated TSD facilities with high NCAPS ranking for location within areas having potential environmental justice con- cerns. This evaluation was based on census data and GIS data and used a scoring system of zero to six, with six being the highest. The Region will prioritize corrective action at RCRA TSD facilities that rank high in both NCAPS and environmental jus- tice scoring. The Region also created a RCRIS file to store environmental justice scores in RCRIS and RCRIS Info so that users can see the score (or range of scores) for any zip code associated with RCRA handlers. This allows EPA and State personnel working in the RCRA program to access environmental justice information about a community for use in planning and implementation activities. Region 1 and States will be able to use this file with other RCRIS files to allow automating development of target lists for inspections, corrective action, permitting, and closure activities. Completed Milestones 9/94 Completed NCAPS ranking of TSD facilities. 9/94 Added environmental justice information to RCRIS and RCRIS informa- tion files. Contact Joan Serra, (617) 223-5527 Region 2 To ensure consideration of environmental justice, Region 2 is working to incorporate income, percent of minority population, and population density into its environmental benefits (EB) ranking. Region 2 will use the EB ranking with NCAPS ranking to determine the overall facility priority in RCRA permitting and corrective action ac- tivities. The inclusion of environmental justice factors will ensure the proper evalua- tion of human health and environmental issues for minority and low-income popula- tions who live near RCRA-regulated facilities. Completed Milestones 9/94 Drafted plan to gather data and incorporate environmental justice into EB ranking. Contacts Andrew Bellina, (212) 637-4109 Wilfredo Palomino, (212) 637-4179 124 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Region 3 Region 3 drafted a RCRA facility evaluation form (RFEF) to incorporate environmen- tal justice into its priority setting and will circulate the RFEF to RCRA managers for review. Upon approval of the RFEF and receipt of a complete set of demographic maps for the Region's high-NCAPS facilities, the Region will evaluate the high-NCAPS facilities. Contact Harry Daw, (215) 597-3177 Region 4 Region 4 focused on combustion facilities and began preparations for implementing guidance on environmental justice in siting, permitting, public involvement, and cor- rective action. Part of this activity included selecting key facilities with upcoming major decision points that may include environmental justice issues. Completed Milestones 9/94 Selected key facilities with upcoming major decision points. Contact Eddie L. Wright, (404) 347-3555, \6310 Region 6 Region 6 is coordinating Superfund and RCRA activities at a site in selecting the cleanup remedy. In preparing the Statement of Basis for the remedy selection, the Region 6 facility manager obtained, evaluated, and incorporated information related to Superfund, RCRA, and State remedial activities. The facility manager also com- piled environmental justice information related to the site by coordinating with the Region's GIS Coordinator to obtain information related to identifying environmental justice concerns. The Region held a public meeting before issuing the notice for the Statement of Basis. Completed Milestones 9/94 Completed evaluation of remedy information for the site. 9/94 Held a public meeting before the release of the notice of the Statement of Basis. 12/94 Prepared the Statement of Basis for the remedy selection. Contact Vince Malott, (214) 665-8313 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 125 ------- Program-Specific issues Region 7 Region 7 is using available socio-economic census data and other information related to potential or actual environmental justice problems in prioritizing future RCRA cor- rective action activities in the Region. The Region will assess and use this information when it conducts its annual RCRA corrective action multi-year strategy planning and prioritization process with the State RCRA programs. A RCRA corrective action fa- cility located in an area with actual environmental justice problems or that poses a potential for such problems will be considered as a higher priority facility in the cor- rective action prioritization and planning process. Completed Milestones 3/95 Reviewed available GIS/census information. 3/95 Requested additional GIS/census information. Contact David Doyle, (913) 551-7667 Region 9 Region 9 has undertaken a GIS assessment project that will analyze all States in the Region for demographics, race, and potential and measured sources of pollution. The Region is taking this approach rather than individually reevaluating all prioritized sites to determine whether environmental justice is adequately addressed. The RCRA cor- rective action program will use the results of this GIS project to determine whether the NCAPS priority of a facility should be raised. Also, to integrate environmental justice into RCRA corrective action efforts, the first annual Region 9 RCRA Corrective Action Conference included a workshop/breakout session on environmental justice. The focus of the workshop was on developing a consensus definition relevant to corrective action; discussing case studies; and inte- grating community relations efforts at corrective action sites. Contacts Nancy Nadel, (415) 744-2043 Karen Scheuermann, (415) 744-2068 Action Item Utilize the geographic information system in RCRA. Office of Solid Waste OSW has developed GIS, called the Decision Support System (DSS), jointly with the Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas (EMSL-LV). This fully functional GIS contains both a location analysis and a population analysis tool, which currently can estimate population density for an area. EPA hopes to expand this tool so 126 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act that it can be used to assess and identify geographic areas where pollution sources appear to have a disproportionately high and adverse health or environmental effect on certain minority or low-income populations. EPA is researching different approaches for analyzing census data to accurately reflect potential areas with environmental jus- tice concerns and has completed a guidance document that describes several different approaches for analyzing populations that could be used depending upon the scenario (e.g., rural areas versus high-density areas). Contact Felicia Wright, (703) 308-8634 [Note: This entry is also reported under the GIS topic area.] Region 2 To aid in the identification of areas with environmental justice concerns, Region 2's Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has drafted a strategy document entitled "Regional Location Policy." This document will outline how Region 2 personnel will obtain facility locational data on its regulated universe in all programs to more accu- rately identify facilities. A Locational Data Policy Workgroup has been established to discuss ways in which the information in the strategy will be implemented. Completed Milestones 12/94 Developed and distributed draft "Regional Location Policy" for internal review. Contact Mary Stallings, (212) 264-8325 Action Item Disproportionate impacts research—Perform demographics analysis around combustion facilities. Region 5 The public brought environmental justice issues over operations at the WTI incinera- tor, located in East Liverpool, Ohio, to Region 5's attention. The Region is currently conducting a risk assessment at the WTI incinerator. The Region also began a demo- graphic analysis of the surrounding community to identify minority and low-income populations. Completed Milestones 11/94 Initiated demographic analysis. Contact Harriet Croke, (312) 353-4789 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 127 ------- Program-Specific issues Region 7 Region 7 is collecting data to assess concerns that minority and low-income popula- tions are exposed to greater risk because they live in close proximity to toxic and hazardous waste facilities. Region 7 is including combustion facilities in its analysis. The Region has initiated and implemented a work assignment for contractual support in developing location data (latitude and longitude) of all RCRA combustion facilities in its authorized RCRA program States (Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska). Completed Milestones 11/94 Initiated work assignment for project. 3/95 Completed field work. Contact David Doyle, (913) 551-7667 Action Item RCRA Tribal implementation issues—Accelerate efforts to develop draft rule for Subtitle C hazardous waste authorization to tribes. Office of Solid Waste OSW staff from Headquarters and the Regions formed a workgroup to develop a pro- posed rule that would amend the State hazardous waste authorization regulations by providing tribes the same opportunity as States for RCRA Subtitle C (hazardous waste) authorization and to receive RCRA Section 3011 grants. Currently, only authorized States are eligible to receive RCRA Section 3011 grant funds to implement the Sub- title C hazardous waste program. Publication of the rule is expected to occur in the fall of 1995. Completed Milestones Fall 1994 Held public meetings. 3/95 Reached workgroup closure. Contact Virginia Phillips, (703) 308-8761 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 5 Region 5's RCRA program office continued to participate in the national workgroup to amend 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 271 to "Treat Tribes as Sovereigns" and to provide for partial RCRA program delegation to Tribes. In support of this effort, Region 5's RCRA program office also continued its management of the National Tribal 128 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Authorization Pilot Project for the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin. On September 16, 1994, the office received a final authorization application from the Menominee Tribe. In coordination with OSWER, Region 5's RCRA program office has pursued forward- ing options for providing authorization to the Menominee Tribe and anticipates pub- lishing a Federal Register notice authorizing the Tribe by the end of fiscal year 1995. Completed Milestones 9/94 Received the final authorization application from the Menominee Tribe. Contact Margaret Millard, (312) 353-1440 Action Item RCRA Tribal implementation issues—Expand the VISTA program to provide as- sistance to Native Alaskan Villages on solid waste management issues. Office of Solid Waste Through a $100,000 interagency agreement (IAG), OSW and ACTION have joined together, in conjunction with Native Alaskan non-profit regional corporations, to place Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) volunteers in Native Alaskan Villages (NAVs) to work on solid waste management issues. Headquarters and Regional staff trained the volunteers in a week-long session in Anchorage in November 1993. Initially, OSW planned to evaluate the pilot to determine the potential for continuing and expanding the use of volunteers in Alaska and the continental United States, how- ever, the OSW project was developed into an EPA proposal for funding from the Cor- poration for the National Service. Through the AmeriCorps program, the corporation awarded EPA a grant to expand the project and 15 volunteers are now assigned to NAVs to work on solid waste management issues. OSW combined its VISTA project with the AmeriCorps project in September 1994. Completed Milestones 5/94 Conducted mid-year evaluation. 9/94 Combined OSW's VISTA project with the AmeriCorps project. Contacts Judi Kane, (703) 308-8644 Lilian Bagus, (202) 260-4058 [Note: These entries are also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area and the Federal Interagency Cooperation topic area.] Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 129 ------- Program-Specific issues Action Item RCRA Tribal implementation issues—Enhance training and outreach activities, seek to leverage resources, and coordinate environmental activities among Fed- eral agencies. Office of Solid Waste OSW appropriated a fiscal year 1994 budget of $505,000 to provide technical assis- tance for RCRA activities on Indian lands. The workplan for the disbursement of these Headquarters funds (the Regions also fund Indian activities using Regional re- sources) was established jointly by Headquarters and Regional staff. Funds are used to support Headquarters and Regional Indian activities such as training and outreach, meeting support, regulatory development, direct grants to the Tribes, and the circuit rider program. In fiscal year 1994, Headquarters contributed $100,000 or $20,000 per position to the circuit rider program. OSW employs two FTE assigned solely to the Indian program. Other staff within OSW, particularly the Municipal Support and In- dustrial Solid Waste Division, also support the Indian Program. During the past year, OSW conducted a variety of activities designed to enhance Tribal outreach and train- ing: • Regions 5, 6, 9, and 10 held Regional Tribal meetings supported by Headquarters funding (approximately $5,000 per meeting). Regional staff work with Tribes to develop agendas and secure speakers at these meetings. • The "Native American Network" and other Tribal-specific publications are de- signed and disseminated by Headquarters and Regional staff to provide "user- friendly" information on grant availability; rules and regulations; and other RCRA- related activities. This outreach is expected to continue through 1995. OSW also sponsored the Second National Tribal Conference on Environmental Man- agement as its major outreach and training activity in fiscal year 1994. OSW awarded a $70,000 grant to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to host the conference. In addition, OSW provided $35,000 toward Tribal travel for the conference and approxi- mately $25,000 in contractual support. OSW Indian Program staff and the Indian Coordinator from the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response also provided ex- tensive support to the Cherokee staff throughout the pre-eonference and conference periods. Nearly 450 participants attended the conference. OSW has been supporting the development of IndianNet, an electronic bulletin board that provides information and news on Indian issues. OSW is working with Ameri- cans for Indian Opportunities to provide direct access to IndianNet for Tribes for EPA information. OSW plans to hold a workshop for four pilot Tribes on using IndianNet and develop and distribute a user's guide to all Tribes. Due to technical difficulties, the original plan to access through the State and Regional Programs Branch Bulletin Board System (SRPB/BBS) was not feasible. OSW is currently working on direct access to IndianNet to access Tribes for EPA information. In addition, OSW's Indian Programs Manager is a member of the Interagency Task Force that meets quarterly with representatives from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Indian Health Service (IHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other EPA offices to exchange information on environmental issues relating to Tribes and to ex- 130 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act plore possibilities for interagency cooperation. In addition, OSW provided grant funds to Regions 8, 9, and 10 to promote interagency cooperation through the following activities: • Region 8 is completing details for an IAG with IHS for $36,000 to provide assis- tance on open dump inventories and assessment; • Region 9's solid waste staff completed negotiations with the IHS for a $40,000 IAG between EPA and IHS to consult and cooperate on solid waste management issues; and • Region 10's Solid Waste Program staff established and funded $50,000 for the Solid Waste Network that is composed of representatives from various federal agencies, including EPA; BIA; and IHS; private industry; and academia. The Solid Waste Network is used to provide resources and expertise to address Tribe-spe- cific solid waste management issues. Completed Milestones 1994 Signed Region 9 IHS Interagency Agreement. 1994 Held Tribal meetings with Regions 5, 6, 9, and 10. 1994 Published "Native American Network." 5/94 Sponsored Second National Tribal Conference on Environmental Man- agement. Contact Judi Kane, (703) 308-8644 [Note: These entries are also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 4 Region 4 is providing technical assistance to Native American Tribes for the RCRA Subtitle D (solid waste) program and has initiated a program to provide funds and technical assistance for solid waste disposal. Several Tribes have ongoing projects funded by Region 4 through the Solid Waste Management Assistance Program estab- lished by RCRA Section 8001. These funds have been provided to: • The Eastern Band of Cherokee, who received an increase of $ 19,000 to fund a full- time solid waste coordinator to continue a recycling and public outreach program; • The Seminole Tribe, who received $52,000 to hire a solid waste manager to imple- ment recommendations from the Tribe's solid waste management plan; • The Miccosukee Tribe in Florida, who received $13,000 to develop and operate a recycling program; and • The Choctaw Tribe of Mississippi, who received $60,000 to prepare a solid waste management plan. In additkm, Region 4 is assisting the Poarch Creek Tribe in implementing a recycling program Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 131 ------- Program-Specific issues In 1995, each of the Federally recognized Tribes in Region 4 will continue these projects to address environmental concerns and waste management issues. Region 4 also in- tends to provide funds in 1995, to the Catawba Tribe in South Carolina, which recently became a Federally recognized Tribe. The funds will be used to develop a solid waste management plan and to initiate a program to cleanup and prevent the occurrence of open dumps. Completed Milestones 9/94 Funded various assistance projects under RCRA Section 8001. Contact Robin Mitchell, (404) 347-3555 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 5 To enhance funding of Tribal operations, Region 5 Office of RCRA (ORCRA) contin- ued its support of the Region 5 General Assistance Act multi-media grants to Tribes by providing $125,000 in fiscal year 1994 and committing to provide an additional $125,000 in fiscal year 1995. A survey of Region 5 Tribes was conducted in fiscal year 1994 to assess their hazard- ous waste needs. A draft response to the needs identified, along with further informa- tion on training and technical assistance available to the Tribes, was compiled during the first quarter of fiscal year 1995 and is currently under internal review. In addition, during the first quarter of fiscal year 1995, a RCRA Subtitle C outreach program for Tribes was drafted. Region 5 anticipates finalizing the program during the second quarter of fiscal year 1995. To facilitate communication and coordination of solid waste projects among appropri- ate Federal agencies, Region 5 's Solid Waste Tribal Coordinator increased the Region's role and participation in Federal workgroups to enhance communication of Indian Tribe issues. The coordinator participated in meetings for the Federal Tribal Solid Waste Task Force. Completed Milestones 2/94-9/94 Attended Federal Solid Waste Task Force meetings. 11/94 Surveyed Tribes to assess their hazardous waste needs. 12/94 Drafted RCRA outreach program for Tribes which provides an overview of the RCRA program. Contacts Jennifer Manville, (312) 886-7599 (RCRA Subtitle D) Margaret Millard, (312) 353-1440 (RCRA Subtitle C) [Note: Parts of this entry are also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] 132 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Region 6 Region 6 actively seeks to promote Tribal implementation of RCRA Subtitle D (solid waste) requirements through grants, outreach, site visits, coordination with Tribal en- vironmental programs, and technical assistance. Region 6 has provided more than 23 percent of all Regional grant funds to Native American Tribes for pilot projects to help start effective solid waste management programs for Native American lands. Region 6 employs a full-time circuit rider to communicate with Tribal members about their solid waste activities. In fiscal year 1995, the Region plans to hire an additional circuit rider to support these activities. Region 6 has engaged in several activities to enhance New Mexico Tribal capacities. This included granting funds to the State of New Mexico's Environmental Improve- ment Division to enable the State to employ an additional staff member to work on New Mexico Tribal capacity issues and to serve as a State/Tribal liaison. Also, in January 1995, Region 6 and Headquarters hosted a "regionalization" conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to promote cooperation between Native Americans and non-Native Americans in addressing solid waste disposal concerns. All Tribes and small municipalities in New Mexico were invited to attend. The conference encour- aged the Tribes and municipalities to enter into cooperative agreements to address solid waste disposal concerns. The Region also is supporting Tribes in their efforts to establish new Subtitle D pro- grams. In February 1994, the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma submitted draft copies of its proposed environmental laws, solid waste disposal facility regulations, and solid waste management plans for Region 6 review and comment. The Region's efforts to encourage other Tribes to submit Subtitle D program applications is an ongoing effort. Completed Milestones 2/94 Received Subtitle D application from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. 1/95 Held "regionalization" conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 1/95 Draft final plan submitted by the Cherokee Nation. 4/95 Final plan submitted by the Cherokee Nation. Contacts Will Lemmond, (214) 665-6752 Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 Guanita Reiter, (214) 665-6656 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 1O Region 10 designated an Indian Coordinator to increase technical assistance to Indian Tribes. Using partial funding from the RCRA program, the Coordinator assisted the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs in organizing the Northwest Tribal Environ- mental Conference and Gathering in September 1994 in Warm Springs, Oregon, to address a variety of environmental issues. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 133 ------- Program-Specific issues In addition to the technical conference, the Coordinator worked with the Alaska Na- tive Health board and the Northwest Renewable Resources Center to organize two well-attended Tribal conferences with EPA and Tribal leaders in the fall of 1994, one in Anchorage, Alaska, and another in Seattle, Washington for Tribes in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The conferences were designed to strengthen EPA's working rela- tionship with Tribal leaders and to hear their concerns regarding environmental issues. In addition, the RCRA program provided $15,000 in scholarship funds for Tribes to attend the National Recycling Congress (NRC) in October 1994 in Portland, Oregon. Representatives from over 10 different Tribes attended and provided positive feed- back for this effort. Region 10 is also facilitating efforts to ensure that representatives who attended the meeting become involved in the Rural Recycling Task Force. In another environmental justice initiative, Region 10 is using Senior Environmental Employee (SEE) circuit riders to conduct outreach and technical assistance to Tribes and Native Alaskan Villages. Region 10 supports one part-time circuit rider in Alaska, using funding from OSW and the Region 10 RCRA program, and one part-time circuit rider for Tribes in the States of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, using $20,000 from the Region. The circuit riders visit Tribes frequently to learn about their current needs and issues, and to deliver information on sound solid waste management. The equiva- lent of one full-time senior staff person oversees the activities of the SEE employees. Region 10's solid waste circuit rider is working with the Nooksack, Coeur d'Alene, and other Tribes to investigate their complaints about old dumps and/or illegal dumps to control illegal dumping. Region 10 also is working with these Tribes on an illegal dumping ordinance to control illegal trash dumping. The RCRA program is helping develop a workshop on waste reduction and solid waste planning (including unit pric- ing) for Indian Tribes in southwest Washington. The Tribes are co-sponsoring the workshop and funding is being provided by OSW to the Conference of Mayors. Completed Milestones 9/94 Conducted Warm Springs technical conference. 10/94 Provided funding to attend NRC. 10/94 Conducted leadership conferences. 12/94 Started workshops on illegal dumping. Contacts Fran Stefan, (206) 553-6639 Al LaTourette, (206) 553-8202 Region 10 also is implementing a Solid Waste Network that is composed of represen- tatives from various Federal agencies, including EPA, BIA, and IMS, private industry and academia to promote interagency coordination with Indian Tribes. The network is used to provide resources and expertise to address Tribe-specific solid waste manage- ment issues. Under this effort, a solid waste management plan for the Spokane Tribe has been completed. The grantee that facilitates the effort is compiling a process manual to document "lessons learned" from working with Tribes and assist them in setting priorities and action plans in the future. 134 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Completed Milestones 1994 Continued the Solid Waste Network. 11/94 Provided solid waste management plan assistance to Spokane Tribe. 1/95 Identified additional Tribes interested in assistance (Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation). Contact Fran Stefan, (206) 553-6639 In another effort, Region 10 established an Alaska Native Villager workgroup to pro- vide technical assistance and coordinate policy issues, concerns, and responses related to multi-media issues. In addition to workgroup activities, the RCRA and water pro- grams jointly funded the Rural Alaska Sanitation Coalition (RASC), composed of rep- resentatives from the Alaska Native Health Board. RASC serves as a policy forum for key sanitation issues facing rural Alaska, such as solid waste. On April 20-21, 1995, the Region 10 RCRA office will provide updated information on emerging solid waste regulatory and funding issues to members of RASC. The RCRA Solid Waste Program has continued to provide Regional input and over- sight for three Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) volunteers placed in rural Alaska and has conducted several debriefings with them to determine how to improve technical assistance. In the fall of 1994, RCRA linked the VISTA work in Alaska with a new program, EPA-Alaska AmeriCorps. The EPA-Alaska AmeriCorps project oper- ates in locations throughout Alaska, and targets volunteer action to identify and re- solve waste and water issues at the local level. EPA recruited fifteen AmeriCorps volunteers from Alaska, thirteen of which represent their own villages. In January 1995, RCRA offered a week of training for AmeriCorps volunteers in Native Alaskan organizations. Region 10's RCRA office also supports Alaskan waste management through the fol- lowing grant-funded programs: • A $116,000 multi-year grant to the Chugachmiut organization to design a model for managing household hazardous waste in rural Alaska; • A$30,000 to the Association of Village Council Presidents (AVCP), Bethel, Alaska, to hire an interim solid waste management coordinator; • Working with AVCP and the village of Akiachak, to support development of a Yupik translation of the "Trash Management Guide"; and • Providing copies of the RCRA-sponsored/Alaska-based curricula, "Changing Waste in Changing Times" to several villages upon their request. The curricula com- bines traditional and modern concepts of waste management. In addition, in the fall of 1994 Region 10 conducted extensive evaluations of its over- all Tribal operations. As a result, the Indian Coordinator and Region 10 Executive Team established a number of new positions with the goal of improving delivery of services, outreach, grant management, and technical assistance to Tribes. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 135 ------- Program-Specific issues Completed Milestones 5/94 Conducted VISTA debrief to evaluate success of VISTA volunteers in Alaska. 8/94 Funded Chugachmiut and AVCP projects. 10/94 Evaluated Regional Tribal Operations. 11/94 Funded Rural Alaska Sanitation Coalition. 12/94 Recruited and hired 15 AmeriCorps volunteers. 1/95 Trained AmeriCorps volunteers. Contact Fran Stefan, (206) 553-6639 Action Item RCRA Enforcement—Ensure the consideration of environmental justice in RCRA enforcement activities. Region 1 Region 1 's WMD developed a matrix to better target RCRA inspections and to maxi- mize the use of its available resources. The matrix uses criteria that combine regional and national initiatives and geographic targeting to identify areas to strategically tar- get RCRA inspections. To incorporate environmental justice concerns, the Region expanded the criteria to consider the presence of minority or low-income communi- ties. As a result of the incorporation of environmental justice concerns into its matrix for targeting inspections, Region 1's RCRA program conducted 18 inspections in ar- eas with environmental justice concerns from May 1, 1994, through December 31, 1994. The Region's RIP calls for the completion of 18 inspections before the end of fiscal year 1995; the Region expects to exceed this figure. With the increased number of RCRA inspections at facilities in areas with environ- mental justice concerns, the Region also expects an increase in enforcement activity in those areas. The Region will prioritize this enforcement activity to address the most severely disadvantaged communities first. The Region will also attempt to increase the use of supplemental environmental projects (SEPs), which finance needed envi- ronmental and public health improvements in those communities. For example, Re- gion 1 issued an administrative complaint against three Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) facilities for RCRA violations; at least one of the facilities was in a community with environmental justice concerns. Following extensive negotiations, MHD agreed to pay a $100,000 penalty, $5 million on SEPs, and $20 million on audit- ing and remediating, where necessary, at its 139 facilities. Completed Milestones 12/94 Completed 18 RCRA inspections in areas with environmental justice con- cerns. 136 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Contact Joan Serra, (617) 223-5527 Region 2 With the completion of GIS analysis, Region 2 will analyze the identified areas with potential environmental justice concerns to determine whether there is a significant difference between enforcement activities in these areas and those without an environ- mental justice concern. This analysis will compare the number of RCRA facilities, and the total penalty amounts assessed against companies located in both environmen- tal justice and non-environmental justice areas. Depending on the study's findings, the Region 2 RCRA program will provide recommendations to assure an equal level of protection for environmental justice communities. Completed Milestones 3/95 Identified a preliminary list of environmental justice areas to be used for purposes of RCRA compliance only, with available locational data. Contact Pete Mannino, (212) 637-4158 During fiscal years 1993 and 1994, EPA conducted 200 inspections in the City of Newark and 150 inspections in the City of Camden, New Jersey. During fiscal year 1994, EPA conducted 50 follow-up inspections in Newark to confirm the compliance status of facilities with potential violations. As a result of the Newark inspections, four Notices of Violation (NOVs) were prepared, and five information request letters were prepared to determine if violations exist. As of February 1995, the companies are in full compliance. During fiscal year 1995, EPA also conducted 26 follow-up inspections in Camden to confirm the compliance status of facilities with potential violations. As a result of the Camden inspections, one NOV was prepared, and four information request letters were prepared to determine if violations exist. As of February 1995, the companies were in full compliance. For future compliance monitoring in Camden and Newark, the Re- gion is planning outreach efforts directed toward the local fire inspectors and other municipal and county representatives. Region 2 will provide training to staff at the local fire departments to improve their ability to identify hazardous waste violations so they can refer potential violator cases to the NJDEP or EPA for formal action. Completed Milestones 10/94 Inspected all Camden facilities for compliance. 3/95 Shared results of Newark initiative with appropriate Newark City agencies. 3/95 Shared results of Camden initiative with appropriate Camden City agencies. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 137 ------- Program-Specific issues Contact Kellyann Few, (212) 637-3155 In the Cities of Greenpoint and Williamsburg, New York, EPA conducted 104 inspec- tions during fiscal years 1993 and 1994 of both RCRA notifiers and non-notifiers. By February 1995, the companies were in full compliance. EPA also has offered seminars to the regulated community on both Clean Water Act pretreatment and RCRA hazard- ous waste requirements. EPA is remaining in contact with members of these commu- nities for future outreach activities. Completed Milestones 6/94 Inspected all Greenpoint/Williamsburg facilities for compliance. 6/94 Conducted initial outreach seminars in Greenpoint/Williamsburg. Contact Len Grossman, (212) 637-4153 Using GIS to target facilities, Region 2 has planned compliance evaluation inspections of 200 facilities in Nassau and Suffolk County, New York, as part of Phase I of the Long Island Initiative. These facilities include operating large and small quantity gen- erators that have never been inspected, non-notifiers, facilities in high environmental justice areas, industrial parks, and facilities that have been issued State Pollutant Dis- charge Elimination System permits in high-risk locations with respect to Long Island's groundwater. The Region used GIS to target facilities in areas of environmental jus- tice concerns and areas where the groundwater is most vulnerable. The RCRA pro- gram is coordinating their efforts with the Underground Injection Control Program, which currently is conducting weekly inspections in Huntington, Long Island. Completed Milestones 3/95 Completed 80 inspections on Long Island. Contact Pete Mannino, (212) 637-4158 Region 3 Region 3's RCRA program is participating in the Region's multi-media enforcement initiative to use demographic analysis as one of the criteria in the multi-media screen- ing and site selection process for targeting of enforcement actions. A memorandum requesting the incoiporation of this criteria has been drafted and is expected to be finalized in February 1995. Contact Harry Daw, (215)597-3177 138 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Region 5 Region 5 will consider the use of SEPs in RCRA Section 3008(a) enforcement actions to redress instances where environmental justice is relevant. The revised SEP policy was communicated to Region 5's ORC and Department of Justice attorneys during the first quarter of fiscal year 1995. This topic will be pre- sented for all Region 5 RCRA program office staff, including RCRA enforcement personnel, during the upcoming environmental justice workshop. Contact Margaret Millard, (312) 353-1440 Region 7 Region 7 is updating its GIS with socio-economic data from the Census Bureau and data from RCRIS to target RCRA compliance inspections in areas the Region deemed to be potential environmental justice problem areas. The Region's initial efforts to target environmental justice concerns are focused in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. The Region will continue to expand GIS data collection and analysis to other counties or areas in the Region where there may be environmental justice concerns. In its environmental justice initiative in St. Louis City and County, the Region will work with the Missouri Department of National Resources (MDNR), relying almost totally on MDNR inspection resources to conduct "screening inspections." In its State/EPA agreement workplans with the three authorized RCRA program States, Region 7 reached agreement with each State to consider environmental justice related information and data in their selection of RCRA compliance inspection candidates. The Region also had further discussions with MDNR on focusing RCRA inspection resources on conducting compliance inspections in areas of St. Louis where environ- mental justice problems may exist. Completed Milestones 5/94 Met with MDNR about the St. Louis environmental justice pilot. 7/94 Decided on MDNR involvement in the pilot. 2/95 Began data collection from GIS for the St. Louis area. Contact David Doyle, (913)551-7667 Region 9 Region 9 has identified target areas for fiscal year 1995 inspections. In targeting the inspections, Region 9 is considering geographic areas with environmental justice con- cerns, identifying those areas which pose the greatest risks. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 139 ------- Program-Specific issues Completed Milestones 11/94 Identified target areas for fiscal year 1995 inspections. 1/95 Began inspections in targeted areas. Contact Dianne Young, (415) 744-1561 Action Item Address environmental justice issues associated with RCRA Subtitle D (Solid Waste). Region 1 Region I implemented an outreach program to assist the States in ensuring that envi- ronmental justice language is incorporated into State applications under the RCRA Subtitle D Municipal Solid Waste Landfill (MSWLF) Program. The Connecticut RCRA Subtitle D program, which was approved prior to Region I's initiation of the outreach program, already has developed an environmental justice action plan for their environ- mental programs. Region 1 continues to work closely with Massachusetts and New Hampshire to help these States in incorporating environmental justice into their pro- grams. In addition, Region 1 is encouraging the other States (Vermont, Maine, and Rhode Island) to incorporate environmental justice into their programs. Completed Milestones 1/95 Forwarded public comments received regarding the impacts of solid waste management on neighborhoods to Massachusetts. Contact John Hackler, (617) 573-9670 Region 5 Region 5 launched several initiatives to address environmental justice issues associated with RCRA Subtitle D. These initiatives included steps to ensure that existing MSWLFs located in communities with potential environmental justice concerns are in full compli- ance with the Federal landfill criteria. Region 5's Solid Waste Section (SWS) was sched- uled to present the environmental justice implementation plan to each State's solid waste agency and initiate a dialogue regarding compliance and enforcement at MSWLFs located in communities of concern. Due to the lack of criteria and data indicating the communities in Region 5 with environmental justice concerns, the focus of this action item was nar- rowed to States in Region 5 that contain geographic initiatives (Illinois, Indiana, and Michi- gan). The Region made initial written contact with the States in September 1994. Region 5 also provided technical assistance on solid waste issues to communities with potential environmental justice concerns, local governments, and citizen groups. Re- gion 5's SWS notified local government officials in the southeast Chicago area of a 140 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act conference on solid waste source reduction. Notice of the conference was sent to all members of the International City Managers Association in the Chicago area. The conference was held in June 1994. Region 5's SWS also developed solid waste re- source packets consisting of government contacts and lists of available resources. The resource packets included a list of State solid waste contacts and Region 5 contacts; EPA Headquarters and Regional publications; a fact sheet on the solid waste grant program; and examples of useful publications. The SWS is currently working with the coordinators of the Region's geographic initiatives to develop a list of community contacts that may be interested in the packets. Region 5 also intends to use the Minority Academic Institutions programs to educate communities on solid waste topics. The SWS developed a list of potential solid waste community education needs that are relevant to communities with environmental jus- tice concerns. Also, a list of colleges and universities with significant minority popu- lations was developed. Solicitations for the project were mailed to schools on Septem- ber 27, 1994. Completed Milestones 6/94 Notified local government officials from environmental justice communities in the Southeast Chicago area of an upcoming conference on solid waste source reduction in Chicago. 9/94 Developed solid waste resource packets consisting of government contacts and lists of available resources. 9/94 Developed a list of potential solid waste community education needs relevant to communities with environmental justice concerns. Contact Jennifer Manville, (312) 886-7599 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 141 ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues Comprehensive Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 143 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Develop interim guidance on Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) and establish CAGs at ten pilot Superfund sites 147 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 147 Region 1 147 Region 2 148 Region 4 149 Regions 149 Region 6 149 Region 7 150 Regions 150 Region 9 150 Region 10 151 Establish site-specific Federal coordination groups for issues outside Superfund jurisdiction 151 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 151 Conduct a pilot proactive site assessment program 152 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 152 Region 1 152 RegionB 153 Region 4 153 RegionS 154 Region 7 154 Regions 155 Region 9 155 Examine whether priority setting methods adequately consider environmental justice concerns 155 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 155 Region 1 156 RegionS 156 Region 10 157 Develop supplemental risk assessment guidance in coordination with Agency-wide efforts to address environmental justice 157 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 157 Region 10 157 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 145 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Evaluate remedy selection and speed of cleanups in communities with environmental justice issues 158 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 158 Region 10 158 Coordinate indoor lead paint removal with other agencies 159 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 159 Region 6 159 Assist Indian Tribes financially and technically to build response capacity 160 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 160 Region 4. 160 RegionS 161 Region 6 161 Region 9 162 Region 10 162 Establish a pilot program to train minority and/or low-income workers in the hazardous waste cleanup field 163 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response „. 163 146 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Topic Area: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Action Item Develop interim guidance on Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) and estab- lish CAGs at ten pilot Superfund sites. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) and Regional community relations staff completed and circulated draft guidance on Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) to the Regions for review and comment. When Regional comments are com- plete, OERR will produce the final interim guidance. The guidance provides direction for establishing CAGs to promote early, direct, and meaningful community involve- ment in the Superfund process especially at sites with environmental justice concerns. OERR also held preliminary discussions with Regional staff resulting in the identifi- cation of 14 potential CAG sites in communities with environmental justice concerns. In January 1995, OERR requested that Regions officially submit the proposed pilot CAG sites early by February 1995. EPA will closely monitor the development and implementation of CAGs. The experience gained through the pilot may allow the initiative to be expanded to more sites. Completed Milestones 7/94 Attended the National Community Relations/Technical Assistance Grant Conference in Denver to discuss CAGs. 1/95 Sent draft guidance on CAGs to Regions for review and comment. 1/95 Sent a memo to Regions requesting the formal identification of ten pilot CAG sites. Contact Diana Hammer, (703) 603-8775. Region 1 Region I established and has been interacting extensively with CAGs at two Superfund sites with environmental justice concerns: New Bedford, Massachusetts, and Pine Street Canal, Vermont. EPA meets bi-weekly with community members at both sites to address community concerns and to reach agreement on issues concerning the scope of work and remedy selection. A risk assessment, currently underway at the Pine Street Canal Site, is evaluating the risk to subsistence fishermen from a Vietnamese community who use the Canal fish resources as a food source. The Region is working with the New Bedford Harbor CAG to conduct treatability studies on alternatives to Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 147 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act incineration. The New Bedford community consists of a high percentage of low-in- come and minority residents including a large Portuguese community, many of whom do not speak English. Additional remedial investigation work is currently scheduled for Fall 1995. Completed Milestones 9/94 Selected pilot sites. 12/94 Developed a process model for community involvement. Contacts Ross Gilleland, (617) 573-5766 (New Bedford) Sheila Eckman, (617) 573-5784 (New Bedford) Dave Dickerson, (617) 573-5735 (Pine Street Canal) [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 2 Region 2 chose the Diamond Alkali Superfund site, which has potential environmental justice concerns, to pilot the formation of a CAG. The community is predominately African-American and Hispanic. Region 2 selected CAG members and sponsored a CAG meeting for the site. At the CAG's request, the Region obtained guest speakers on EPA's dioxin reassessment work, the State of New Jersey Department of Health epidemiological work completed in the area, the Newark Bay seafood consumption advisories, and Region 2's Harbor Estuary Program. To update the community on site activities and status, the Region generated and distributed two trilingual fact sheets on the Diamond Alkali Superfund site. In addition, the Region held a special site visit and roundtable discussion for members of the Ironbound Committee Against Toxic Wastes, a local advocacy group. In the coming year, the Region will hold additional CAG meetings, hold a public meeting, and distribute additional fact sheets. Completed Milestones 3/94 Distributed fact sheets. 6/94 Selected pilot Superfund site. 6/94 Selected CAG members. 7/94 Held first CAG meeting. 11/94 Held site visit and discussion with Ironbound Committee Against Toxic Wastes. Contacts Pat Seppi, (212)264-9369 Lance Richman, (212) 264-6695 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] 148 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Region 4 The Region selected sites with environmental justice concerns at Chattanooga Creek, Tennessee, and the Escambia Treatment Plant, Pensacola, Florida, as CAG pilot sites. Region 4 also is working closely with the Hazardous Substances Research Center/ South & Southwest to develop the Technical Outreach Services for Communities Pro- gram. The program's goal is to provide training workshops to communities on techni- cal aspects of environmental pollution based on the specific needs of the community. The workshop will enhance the communities' ability to participate in the decision- making process and will be a good tool for training CAG members. Completed Milestones 8/94 Selected Superfund CAG pilot sites. 11/94 Selected CAG members for each site. 1/95 Held first CAG meeting. Contacts Cindy Weaver, (404) 347-5059 Rose Jackson, (404) 347-7791 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 5 Region 5 is coordinating its public participation efforts with the Community Working Group planned by the Office of Public Affairs and the Office of Superfund Outreach and Marketing Team. Seven candidate communities/sites are on the pilot selection list with one to two sites designated as environmental justice CAG pilot sites. Contact Marilou Martin (312) 353-9660 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 6 Region 6 staff presented information at workshops and open houses on how the pre- dominantly African-American community at the Agriculture Street Landfill site in New Orleans, Louisiana, can form a CAG to address potential environmental justice concerns. The Region is working closely with residents to provide assistance in estab- lishing a formal CAG and will combine this effort with Economic Redevelopment efforts to determine which related redevelopment efforts can be coordinated with Superfund activities through outreach and participation in site CAGs. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 149 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Completed Milestones 10/94 Selected the Agriculture Street Landfill site to pilot a CAG. 10-12/94 Presented information on forming CAGs at workshops and open houses. Contact Verne McFarland, (214) 665-6617 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 7 Region 7 screened environmental justice Superfund sites within the Region and iden- tified the Oronogo-Dunweg Superfund site as its pilot CAG site. The community around this site consists of a predominantly low-income population. The Region is currently selecting CAG members and plans to hold the first CAG meeting by Septem- ber 1995. Completed Milestones 9/94 Selected CAG pilot site. Contact Gayle Padgett, (913) 551-7914 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 8 Region 8 developed criteria to evaluate potential CAG sites. The criteria are (1) com- munity dynamics, (2) community issues that are not EPA activities but which may be affected by EPA activities, (3) real or perceived environmental justice issues, (4) com- munity interest in the site or in having a CAG at the site, and (5) timing of activities at the site. Completed Milestones 9/94 Developed criteria to evaluate potential CAG sites. [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 9 Region 9 screened its Superfund sites to determine which ones might be most appro- priate for the establishment of CAGs. The screening process, which involved apply- ing the Headquarters criteria to specific site and community situations, identified about 12 sites as potential candidates. Using additional input from community relations coordinators, remedial project managers (RPMs), and managers, the Region narrowed 150 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act the field to two or three candidate sites. In March 1995, the Region selected the Del Amo/Montrose Superfund site, a site with environmental justice concerns, to pilot the formation of a CAG. Completed Milestones 11/94 Conducted initial screening of Superfund sites to determine 12 sites ap- propriate for the formation of CAGs. 1/95 Narrowed the initial list of potential sites. 3/95 Selected pilot site. Contact Andy Bain, (415) 744-2185 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] Region 1O Region 10 is in the process of evaluating an appropriate pilot site for a CAG. An environmental justice questionnaire will be used to gauge the level of environmental justice concerns at the site. If, as a result of the questionnaire, EPA Headquarters determines that the site warrants environmental justice attention, the Region will con- sider the site for a CAG. Region 10 expects to identify its pilot proposal upon comple- tion of its Administrative Reforms Implementation Plan. Contact Michelle Pirzadeh, (206) 553-1272 Action Item Establish site-specific Federal coordination groups for issues outside Superfund jurisdiction. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response In January 1995, OERR sent a memo to Regions requesting that the Regions establish interagency working groups for sites with problems beyond the scope of Superfund. Interagency working groups will help meet the needs of local communities in instances where these needs are beyond the mandate of the Superfund program. These commu- nity needs and concerns include interior lead contamination and environmental educa- tion. The effectiveness of these working groups will depend on the willingness of the agencies involved to cooperate and work toward meeting community needs. In Sep- tember 1995, OERR will send a memo to the Regions recognizing sites with estab- lished interagency working groups. EPA will closely monitor the development and implementation of the interagency working groups to promote full participation and cooperation of other agencies in responding to community problems. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 151 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Completed Milestones 1/95 Sent a memo to Regions in January 1995 requesting that the Regions es- tablish interagency working groups for sites with problems beyond the scope of Superfund. Contact Diana Hammer, (703) 603-8775 Action Item Conduct a pilot proactive site assessment program. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response OERR developed three site assessment activities to address environmental justice. First, OERR established Tribal Site Discovery Cooperative Agreements to identify previously undiscovered sites. OERR received Regional proposals for candidates to pilot this effort and selected the Seneca Nation (Region 2) and the Navajo Nation (Region 9) to pilot this effort. In addition to Tribal activity, OERR will provide a grant to a non-profit organization, the Northeast Hazardous Substance Research Center, to develop a program for community organizations to become involved in site identifica- tion. Finally, OERR will conduct a geographical pilot initiative to select two areas, where community groups have raised concerns, to assess the impacts of individual sites and as a collective group to develop strategies for appropriate actions. Completed Milestones 9/94 Requested Regional proposals for the geographical pilot initiative. 11/94 Met with the Northeast Hazardous Substance Research Center. 1/95 Received regional proposals to conduct a Tribal site discovery pilot. 2/95 Allocated funds for Cooperative Agreements to tw o Tribes to identify pre- viously undiscovered sites for assessments. Contact Yolanda Ting, (703) 603-8835 Region 1 The correction of inaccurate site coordinates in Region I is approximately 80 percent complete. Accurate coordinates are essential to identify potential sites with environ- mental justice concerns. Site coordinates are being corrected manually for the major- ity of sites on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Li- ability Information System (CERCLIS). Massachusetts site coordinates are corrected and the Region is compiling coordinates for sites in Connecticut through the geo- graphic positioning system (GPS) unit siting by the Connecticut Department of Envi- ronmental Protection. The Region's Site Assessment Group completed a preliminary analysis of site assessment decisions concerning environmental justice using demo- graphic data on low-income and minority population percentages. 152 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Completed Milestones 1/95 Corrected 80 percent of the site coordinates in CERCLIS. Contact Sharon Hayes, (617) 573-5709 Region 3 Region 3 is using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to aid in identifying the socioeconomic makeup of communities being assessed under Superfund. Site Assess- ment Section personnel first worked with Regional GIS personnel to generate GIS maps depicting minority and poverty distributions for all SuperfundAccelerated Cleanup Model (SACM) sites. With this demonstration pilot complete, the Region then amended its policies and procedures for site investigations to include the generation of GIS demographic maps. Regional Site Assessment Managers provide GIS maps depicting minority and poverty distributions for all SACM/Regional decision team (RDT) meet- ings to help incorporate environmental justice considerations into SACM decision- making. Since August 30, 1994, the SACM/RDT committee has sought to identify Environ- mental Justice areas at 13 pre-remedial National Priorities List (NPL) sites by means of the GIS maps and amended SACM criteria forms. To identify populations with potential environmental justice concerns, the amended forms require specific data re- garding significant minority and poverty populations. Contact James McCreary, (215) 597-7214 [Note: This entry is also reported under the GIS topic area.] Region 4 Using its GIS capabilities, Region 4 developed a proactive site discovery program to identify CERCLA sites, resulting in easier identification of sites in areas with poten- tial environmental justice concerns. The Region used GIS to identify geographic areas that are both densely populated and industrialized. The Region will use several meth- ods (including tax maps, zoning maps, aerial photography, reconnaissance, informa- tion from local municipalities, and Toxic Release Inventory) to identify populations that are adjacent to or surrounded by polluting industries within the identified geo- graphic areas. GIS maps have been created for areas with environmental justice con- cerns in Georgia including Tifton, Augusta, and Brunswick. As areas of concern are identified, they will be added to specific information about the site and potential envi- ronmental justice concerns. Completed Milestones 9/94 Developed proactive site discovery program. 1/95 Generated GIS maps to identify densely populated and moderately to highly industrialized areas in the Region. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 153 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Contact John McKeown, (404) 347-5059 [Note: This entry is also reported under the GIS topic area.] Region 5 Region 5's RCRA and Superfund programs have been working together to coordinate the acquisition and development of GIS capability in the Region's waste management division. Both programs use GIS in targeting the efforts of their respective programs and anticipating potential environmental justice concerns in communities around Re- gion 5 sites and facilities. To support GIS, the Waste Management Division has estab- lished five graphic workstations with CD-ROM drives. Completed Milestones 9/94 Purchased CD-ROM drives and Census Bureau map files for RCRA. Contacts Marilyn Millard, (312) 886-6224 Mark Horwitz, (312) 353-9045 [Note: This entry is also reported under the GIS topic area.] Region 7 Region 7 conducted a screening, using GIS in conjunction with CERCLIS, RCRIS, and demographic information (population density, ethnicity, and income), to identify counties that have large minority or lower income population, and a large number of RCRIS/CERCLIS listings. As a result of this screening, the Region selected St. Louis and St. Louis County as an environmental justice pilot area for more intensive scru- tiny. The Region is working to refine the analysis of the area to the lowest possible census tract level. The Region has conducted an address matching process to locate RCRA facilities, CERCLA sites, and air emission sources within the pilot area and is reviewing the results. When the review is complete, the information gained will be added to the Region's GIS. If the study of the St. Louis area is successful, the Region will investigate six other counties in the Region that may have environmental justice concerns based on the original screening. Completed Milestones 11/93 Screened Region for counties which have a high co-occurrence of minority population, lower income population, and incidence of RCRIS CERCLIS listings. 1/94 Selected St. Louis and St. Louis County as an environmental justice pilot area. 11/94 Established address matching process for facilities in the St. Louis pilot area. 154 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Contact David Doyle, (913) 551-7667 [Note: This entry is also reported under the GIS topic area.] Region 8 The Region provided the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) a series of GIS maps delineating the minority and poverty areas of the State for use in active site discovery activities. The Region asked CDPHE to look at South- ern Colorado for potential sites that have not yet been assessed by the Superfund pro- gram. CDPHE has a cooperative agreement that provides some limited funding for site discovery activities. If sites are identified, preliminary assessments will be sched- uled. In addition, the site assessment program has provided similar GIS maps to Utah and Montana, which also have active discovery programs. Sites with environmental justice concerns may be identified in these States. The program has also sent letters to each Native American Tribe in the Region informing them directly of the status of sites currently in CERCLIS and requesting information on any potential sites that the Tribes may want to identify for assessment. Completed Milestones 10/94 Worked with State and Tribal officials to implement project. Contact Paul Arell, (303) 294-7658 Region 9 Region 9 has conducted proactive site assessment around the area of Verdese Carter Park, East Oakland, California, a community with environmental justice concerns. This included the collation of data by standard industrial code for the purpose of ag- gregating like discharges. Evaluation of the sites identified is ongoing. The Region is planning to conduct a pilot site assessment program if funding is received. Contacts Mike Bellot, (415) 744-2364 Dorothy Wilson, (415) 744-2179 Action Item Examine whether priority setting methods adequately consider environmental justice concerns. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response OERR held a conference call with the Regions to discuss screening priority criteria. Under this initiative, OERR will evaluate screening priority criteria contained in Site Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 155 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Assessment guidance documents, and compare the criteria to environmental justice health and environmental issues. Criteria will allow consideration of appropriate fac- tors in those areas with high concentrations of minority and low-income populations. Completed Milestones 2/95 Held a conference call with Regions to discuss screening priority criteria. Contact Sharon Frey, (703) 603-8817 Region 1 Region I identified environmental justice screening criteria and considered what was the optimal point to apply criteria in the site assessment pipeline: preliminary assess- ment (PA) completed, site investigation (SI) completed, hazard ranking scoring (HRS) started, national priorities list (NPL) proposed, or NPL finalized. The Region selected the PA completed and HRS started as the optimal screening points. Screening will be implemented during the second quarter of fiscal year 1995. Completed Milestones 9/94 Developed environmental justice screening criteria. 9/94 Selected the screening point. Contact Carl DeLoi, (617) 573-9645 Region 5 Region 5 developed a site screening/criteria model in January 1995 to assist in estab- lishing priorities within the Region's Superfund program. Environmental justice con- cerns have been identified as a qualifier in the site screening/criteria model. In addi- tion, Site Assessment Teams (SATs) routinely evaluate environmental justice concerns as part of the overall assessment. The Regional Decision Making Team (RDT) is briefed by the SATs prior to the final site determinations. Should environmental jus- tice issues exist, the SATs inform the RDT. The RDT would then factor these environ- mental justice concerns into its prioritization and findings decisions. Completed Milestones 1/95 Drafted site screening/criteria model that includes environmental justice qualifier. Contact Bill Messenger, (312) 353-1057 156 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Region 1O Region 10 has initiated an environmental justice effort by defining areas that are ethni- cally diverse. After identifying affected communities, the Region will narrow the field of potential candidate sites and implement the pilot field-screening of sites starting in September 1995. Completed Milestones H/94 Identified ethnically diverse areas. Contact David Bennett, (206) 553-2103 Action Item Develop supplemental risk assessment guidance in coordination with Agency- wide efforts to address environmental justice. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response OERR provided funding for a joint project between Region 9, Region 10, and Office of Research and Development/Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office (ORD/ ECAO) (Cincinnati) to develop better estimates of fish consumption in Asian/Pacific populations and will continue to track the progress of this project to identify exposure/ risk factors unique to minority and low-income populations. During fiscal year 1996, OERR plans to issue guidance on the use of new exposure and population sensitivity information in Superfund. The new guidance will provide risk assessment tools ad- equate to address all biologically sensitive individuals or populations that may be ex- posed to Superfund site threats. The guidance may also address risks posed by sources other than those at a Superfund site (e.g., permitted industrial emissions, lead paint), which will allow for an assessment of cumulative risks. Completed Milestones 10/94 Provided funding for a joint project between Regions 9 and 10 and ORD ECAO (Cincinnati) to develop better estimates of fish consumption in Asian/Pacific populations. Contact LisaAskari, (703) 603-8799 Region 1O Region 10 risk assessors are continuing to participate in the Agency Science Policy Steering Committee and the Risk Assessment Forum to develop guidance for cumula- tive risk. Region 10 risk assessors are also participating in an assessment of cumula- tive risk to Native Americans on the Columbia River. The data from this assessment will be used to define exposure limits for all Regional actions. An initial draft of the quality assurance project plan has been written and is currently under internal review. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 157 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Completed Milestones 3/95 Participated in periodic Agency Science Policy Steering Committee and the Risk Assessment Forum. 3/95 Completed draft quality assurance project plan of the "Assessment of Chemical Contaminants in Fish Consumed by Four Native American Tribes in the Columbia River Basin" for internal review. Contact Pat Cirone, (206)553-1597 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Health, Cumulative Risk, Synergistic Effects, and Multiple Pathways topic area.] Action Item Evaluate remedy selection and speed of cleanups in communities with environ- mental justice issues. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response Some stakeholders have questioned whether Superfund sites in minority and/or low- income communities are cleaned up as quickly, or have remedies as protective, as non- minority or high-income sites. OERR is evaluating some of these concerns in an internal statistical and demographic analysis of NPL sites. G1S technology, LandView, and 1990 census data are being used to categorize demographic and median income characteristics of populations living around NPL sites. A better characterization of the population and demographics around sites will greatly improve community relations initiatives, particularly at minority and low-income communities. Completed Milestones 2/95 Analyzed Regional sites with environmental justice concerns. 2/95 Completed analysis for all NPL sites. Contact Rafael Gonzalez, (703) 603-8892 Region 1O The Policy, Planning and Evaluation Branch of the Region completed a draft report and analysis of Region 10 enforcement actions related to environmental justice. The primary report goals are to identify the distribution of populations surrounding CERCLIS sites in Region 10 by race and income, and to suggest ways Region 10 can mediate any environmental inequities uncovered by the project. Completed Milestones 11 /94 Completed draft report. 158 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Contact Joyce Kelly, (206) 553-4029 Action Item Coordinate indoor lead paint removal with other agencies. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response Superfund will work with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and EPA Regional On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) and RPMs to develop a list of Superfund sites having low-income or minority housing that may be eligible for HUD Lead Abatement grants, and will provide information to OSCs and RPMs on how to apply for these grants. There are currently few regulatory options and mechanisms for funding indoor lead paint cleanup. This initiative may help address paint cleanup in housing near some Superfund sites. In October 1994, OERR initiated a survey of past Superfund and other Federal agency decisions regarding how indoor lead paint threats have been addressed, and the results were discussed with Superfund Branch Chiefs. In May 1995, OERR will coordinate with HUD to define a list of Superfund sites where there is low-income or minority housing that may be eligible for HUD Lead Abate- ment grants. In September 1995, OERR will issue final guidance on addressing in- door lead paint cleanups at Superfund sites with low-income or minority housing HUD Lead Abatement grants. Completed Milestones 5/94 Implemented rotational assignments of OERR staff members to HUD to examine HUD options. 10/94 Initiated a survey of past Superfund and other Federal agency decisions regarding how indoor lead paint threats have been addressed. 11/94 Discussed patterns, lead paint survey results, draft options with Superfund Branch Chiefs. Contact LisaAskari, (703) 603-8799 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Federal Interagency Cooperation topic area.] Region 6 As part of the Superfund Remedial Investigation at the RSR Corporation (West Dallas Lead) site in Dallas, Texas, Region 6 is working closely with the Dallas Housing Au- thority (DHA) and indirectly with HUD to address lead contamination in a Federally funded housing project (Operable Unit 2). An in-home sampling project has been completed. This information was used to "calibrate" the lead Uptake Biokinetic model, and will be incorporated into the remedy selection process at all Operable Units, in- cluding the DHA/HUD property. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 159 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Completed Milestones 2/94 Provided sampling results to residents. 3/95 Completed demolition of 167 buildings. Contact Carl Edlund, (214) 655-6664 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Federal Interagency Cooperation topic area.] Action Item Assist Indian Tribes financially and technically to build response capacity. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response Office of Emergency and Remedial Response's (OERR's) Superfund Tribal Involve- ment Program continues to work with Native Americans to involve them in the Superfund cleanup process more effectively. OERR is completing the survey report on CERCLIS sites on or near Native American lands. Upon completion, the Region will develop a Tribal Outreach and Implementation Plan based on the CERCLIS sites on Native American lands. The plan may include outreach efforts such as a Superfund Tribal Conference, Funding Application Kits, and training modules. Superfund will continue to offer Tribal governments assistance with existing programs while evaluating how to meet identified training and information needs more effectively. Completed Milestones 5/94 Co-planned the OSWER-sponsored Second National Tribal Conference on Environmental Management, hosted by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee in Cherokee, North Carolina. 5/94 Conducted Response Agreements Seminar (with Tribal participation) in Region 10 and Emergency Response Workshop with Tribal components. 5/94 Developed Local Government Reimbursement module for Tribes as part of First Responders Training in Fall 1994. Contact Bruce Engelbert, (703) 603-8711 Diana Hammer, (703) 603-8775 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 4 Region 4 will provide Native American Tribes with General Assistance Grants, admin- istered through Region 4's Office of Policy and Management's Federal Activities Branch, for planning, developing, and establishing the capacity to implement pro- 160 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act grams administered by EPA. In the area of Superfund, EPA will provide technical assistance in identifying and investigating hazardous waste on Tribal lands. Specifi- cally, where capacity to implement a site discovery/site assessment program exists or is built, the Region will provide funding through cooperative agreements so that the Tribal governments may implement their own site discovery and site assessment pro- grams. The time frame for completing the preliminary assessments of the two existing sites is approximately six months. Completing a preliminary assessment of a site is approximately one year from the date of its inclusion on CERCLIS. Technical assis- tance is an ongoing activity. Completed Milestones 5/94 Informed Tribes of the Superfund process. 12/94 Completed preliminary assessments at two CERCLA sites. Contacts Dorothy Rayfield, (404) 347-5059 Arthur Linton, (404) 347-7292 Region 5 Region 5 continued work on the Bad River Sludge Sites located on the Bad River Reservation, including fmalization of a Cooperative Agreement (CA) between EPA and the Tribe. A CA is also under development for the Leech Lake Tribe in conjunc- tion with the St. Regis/Champion Paper Site, located in Cass Lake, Minnesota. The Region continued Title III training for Tribes requesting the First Responders Course, and conducted three courses hosted by the Grand Portage Reservation, Red Cliff Reservation, and Hannahville Reservation. Training included Title III represen- tation. Contact Dan Cozza (312) 886-7252 Region 6 Region 6 is responsible for creating and implementing the nation's first Tribal envi- ronmental consortia. The Region developed and funded Native American-lead Superfund programs for several Native American Nations that now interact directly with the Region in the Superfund decision-making process. The Inter-Tribal Environ- mental Council's (ITEC's) Office of Environmental Services, through a Superfund Multi-site Cooperative Agreement, is providing the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma with the expertise and skills to investigate and resolve potential hazardous waste sites on Seminole Nation lands. A separate Cherokee Nation multi-media grant has been used, in part, for a multi-Tribal site discovery program that identified three potential sites on Seminole lands. PAs on these sites will be performed upon completion of the ITEC Cooperative Agreement, which is being finalized. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 161 ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Completed Milestones 9/94 Funded all Native American Superfund program cooperative agreements for fiscal year 1995. Contact Mark Satterwhite, (214) 665-8505 Region 9 Region 9 is focusing on developing the response capacity of the Navajo Nation by awarding site assessment and core grants to assist the Navajo Nation with developing regulations to address hazardous wastes. During the past six months, the Navajo Superfund Program submitted the following deliverables under the Core Program Cooperative Agreement: first draft Navajo Hazardous Substance Code, first draft Navajo Nation Public Participation Manual, and first draft Superfund Memorandum of Agree- ment for Site Assessments. For Tribes other than the Navajo, the Region is working with Regional States and State Emergency Response Committees to identify the Tribes' training and equipment needs. Milestones Completed 10/94 Received first draft Navajo Hazardous Substance Code. 12/94 Received first draft Navajo Nation Public Participation Manual. 1/95 Received first draft Superfund Memorandum of Agreement for Site As- sessments. Contacts Carolyn Douglas, (415) 744-2343 Barbara Joy, (415) 744-2202 Region 1O Region 10's Superfund Program currently has four Support Agency Cooperative Agree- ments with Tribes covering six sites. The purpose of these agreements is to provide funding to the Tribes to allow full participation in the Superfund process at these sites. Information regarding eligibility and how to apply for these cooperative agreements was provided in a recent Region 10 publication on forms of assistance available to Tribes and was distributed to all Tribes in the Region. In early 1994, EPA initiated an emergency Superfund removal action to provide tem- porary drinking water at the Fort Hall Reservation upon the request of the Bannock Tribes. The removal action has been completed and no additional technical EPA sup- port is required at this time. 162 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act Completed Milestones 5/94 Installed an activated carbon treatment system to treat Fort Hall Townsite public well water. 6/94 Distributed information to all Tribes. Contact Kirk Robinson, (206) 553-1204. Bub Loiselle, (206) 553-6901 Action Item Establish a pilot program to train minority and/or low-income workers in the hazardous waste cleanup field. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The opportunity to participate in the economic benefits of a Superfund cleanup is often not available to low-income or minority residents who live close to Superfund sites. This pilot program is designed as a partnership between EPA, HUD, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), other Federal agencies, and the local community, to provide training to minorities and low-income residents in the hazardous waste cleanup field. In Spring 1995, OERR will meet with HUD and HHS to determine services they can provide and develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with HUD and HHS on cooperation in this program, including services they can provide (e.g., transportation, workers, stipends, day care). During the Summer 1995, OERR will select one or more pilot sites for the minority worker training program, including consultation with the site contractor and local community to determine their interest in the program. OERR will involve the community in developing criteria for selecting low-income and/or minority workers at the designated sites. The goal of the initiative is to train apprentices for future employment in the hazardous waste clean-up field. Contractors will employ apprentices who will work under the supervision of a union journeyman. Upon completion of the training, an apprentice may be able to find em- ployment opportunities in the hazardous waste clean-up field. Completed Milestones 8/94 Held a preliminary meeting with HUD and HHS to discuss initiating minority worker training program. Contact Suzanne Wells, (703) 603-8863 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Federal Interagency Cooperation; the Outreach, Communications, and Partnerships; and the Contracts, Grants, and Labor topic areas.] Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 163 ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues Oil Pollution Act (OPA) Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 165 ------- Oil Pollution Act Oil Pollution Act Identify the types and characteristics of oil storage facilities most likely to be located in poor or minority areas 169 Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 169 Region? 169 Target inspections and enforcement activities in communities with environmental justice concerns 169 Region 1 170 Region! 170 Region 6 170 Region? 171 Region 9 171 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 167 ------- Oil Pollution Act Topic Area: Oil Pollution Act Action Item Identify the types and characteristics of oil storage facilities most likely to be located in poor or minority areas. Office of Emergency and Remedial Response The Oil Pollution program is conducting a statistical survey of approximately 30,000 oil storage facilities across the nation. Combining the survey results with county cen- sus data will enable EPA to identify the types and characteristics of oil storage facili- ties most likely to be located in poor or minority areas. The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) expects to complete devel- opment of a full survey questionnaire in the early spring of 1995. The full survey instrument will be distributed to recipient facilities nationwide. OERR will complete the survey and begin analysis of survey data linked to census data to be completed by summer 1996. Through this effort the Oil Pollution program will characterize the number and types of facilities located near minority and low-income communities. Completed Milestones 1/95 Analyzed and completed pilot phase of survey. Contact Joe Rauscher, (703) 603-9073 Region 7 Region 7 has analyzed census data and identified the high priority counties that may have environmental justice concerns. The list of oil pollution facilities needing in- spections has been prioritized against the census data. Completed Milestones 12/94 Completed a list of facilities. 1/95 Converted addresses and prioritized the inspection list. Contact Alan Wehmeyer, (913) 551-7336 Action Item Target inspections and enforcement activities in communities with environmen- tal justice concerns. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 169 ------- Program-Specific Issues Region 1 Region I's Environmental Justice Enforcement Plan is to triple the number of inspec- tions in areas with environmental justice concerns. The Region has completed six inspections in the States of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Additional inspections are planned for 1995. Completed Milestones 5/94 Completed 8 inspections in areas with environmental justice con- cerns. Contact Dave Tordoff, (617) 860-4362 Region 2 During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1994 and the first quarter of fiscal year 1995, the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) program has conducted 19 SPCC inspections in areas with environmental justice concerns. Of the 19 inspec- tions, 4 were inspected as part of consolidated multi-media inspections. The SPCC program is planning to conduct 200 inspections by the end of this fiscal year, and is targeting facilities located in communities with environmental justice concerns. It is expected that the SPCC program will meet or exceed the 30 percent figure for inspec- tions conducted in environmental justice areas given in the "OSWER Environmental Justice Draft Final Report." Completed Milestones 1994-1995 Conducted 19 SPCC inspections. Contact Bruce Sprague, (908) 321-6656 Region 6 The industrial corridor along the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, Louisiana, contains a large number of petrochemical transportation, storage, and pro- cessing facilities, and subsequently, receives a significant portion of the oil spill pre- vention and response efforts of Region 6. The Region reviewed a list of regulated facilities and conducted a preliminary review of spill plans. A list of all facilities subject to the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) will be developed, and all Facility Review Plans (FRPs) will be reviewed for compliance. Completed Milestones 9/94 Completed facility reviews. Contact Jim Staves, (214) 665-2277 170 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Oil Pollution Act Region 7 Region 7 has analyzed census data and has identified the high priority counties that may have environmental justice concerns. Inspections will first be conducted in the counties with possible environmental justice concerns. Completed Milestones 1/95 Analyzed the census data and identified high priority counties. Contact Alan Wehmeyer, (913) 551-7336 Region 9 Region 9 compared an initial sample of 16 inspections conducted in fiscal year 1995 to census-based targeting criteria. To date, Region 9 has completed 13 percent of the inspections in areas with potential environmental justice concerns that met both eco- nomic and ethnic criteria. The Region conducted 50 percent of the inspections in areas that met the economic criteria. Contact Elliott Easterling, (415) 744-2308 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 171 ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 173 ------- Underground Storage Tanks Underground Storage Tanks Provide guidance for State and local agencies on considering environmental justice as a qualitative factor in priority-ranking systems for State-lead cleanup and enforcement activities 177 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 177 Region 9 177 Provide outreach to States, Indian Tribes, and local agencies 178 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 178 Region 2 179 Regions 179 Region 9 180 Incorporate environmental justice criteria into UST State grant and cooperative agreements 180 Region 1 180 Region! 181 Regions 182 Region 9 182 Encourage minority contractors to apply for certification: and award a grant to National Association of Minority Contractors 182 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 182 Find ways to provide funds and technical assistance to State and Tribal governments 183 Office of Underground Storage Tanks 183 Region 2 183 Region3 184 Region 4 184 Region 6 184 Regions 185 Region 9 186 Work with other federal agencies to incorporate environmental justice issues into UST and LUST programs 186 Region 10 186 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 175 ------- Underground Storage Tanks Topic Area: Underground Storage Tanks Action Item Provide guidance for State and local agencies on considering environmental justice as a qualitative factor in priority-ranking systems for State-lead cleanup and enforcement activities. Office of Underground Storage Tanks States that receive Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund money have developed priority ranking systems for sites requiring cleanup. The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) issued a revised "State UST Program Grant Guid- ance" to encourage States to consider environmental justice as a qualitative factor in priority-ranking systems for State-lead cleanup and enforcement activities. As a result of this guidance, Region 3 has included language in all of their grants and cooperative agreements with States for fiscal year 1995. In another initiative, OUST and Regional Offices developed a priority-setting system to be used by the Regions for initiating and overseeing corrective action on Native American lands. OUST also developed a system for prioritizing releases and provided guidance on how Regional oversight efforts differ based on a site's priority. Completed Milestones 9/94 Issued revised "State UST Program Grant Guidance." Contacts Sammy Ng, (703) 308-8882 (Guidance) Bob Greenfield, (703) 308-8871 (Native Americans) Irv Auerbach, (703) 308-8862 (Native Americans) Region 9 In response to a meeting between Administrator Browner and Mayor Harris of the City of Oakland (a city with a predominant minority population), Region 9 has formed a task force to develop a prototype alternative to the traditional approach of setting cleanup standards on a site-by-site basis. The task force included representatives from State, county, and city agencies as well as representatives from Region 9. The purpose of this project is to investigate historical and current data to establish uniform procedures for similar areas (i.e., set cleanup standards for designated classes of sites and correc- tive action activities) and to standardize the site remediation process. The project also will identify ways to use limited resources effectively at contaminated sites that pose a risk to human health and the environment and identify ways to accelerate site remediation. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 177 ------- Program-Specific Issues Completed Milestones 10/94 Acquired funding to initiate project. 2/95 Presented final statement of work to task force. 3/95 Initiated work on project by contractor. Contacts Pat Eklund, (415)744-2079 Martin Rodriguez, (415) 744-2076 Matt Small, (415)744-2078 Action Item Provide outreach to States, Indian Tribes, and local agencies. Office of Underground Storage Tanks Headquarters guidance on environmental justice issues is important because it main- tains consistency across all Regional environmental justice plans. Headquarters de- veloped and issued an environmental justice fact sheet to State UST and LUST man- agers. This fact sheet defines environmental justice, explains how EPA is addressing it, and how UST programs can address environmental justice concerns. Completed Milestones 9/94 Issued environmental justice fact sheet. Contact Sammy Ng, (703) 308-8882 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Outreach, Communications, and Partner- ships topic area.] In another effort, OUST issued a UST and LUST Native American Land Policy state- ment in July 1993. The statement will continue to be revised lo incorporate improve- ments that have been or will be completed in fiscal years 1995 and 1996. In fiscal year 1995, Congress gave EPA the ability to provide LUST funds to Tribes through RCRA Section 8001 program demonstration grants. In addition, Regions are working to im- prove their oversight of corrective actions as well as their ability to provide technical assistance to owners and operators of USTs on Indian lands. Contacts Bill Lienesch, (703) 308-8873 Amy Haseltine, (703) 308-8898 178 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Underground Storage Tanks Region 2 Region 2 translated a booklet developed by OUST, "Don't Wait Until 1998," into Spanish and distributed it to the Spanish-speaking regulated community. The purpose of the book is to assist UST owners in understanding the 1998 tank upgrade and replacement requirements. The booklet is being distributed primarily in Puerto Rico. A copy of the Spanish-translated version was sent to OUST and other Regional offices. Completed Milestones 4/95 Distributed booklet to the Spanish-speaking community. Contact Dit Cheung, (212)637-4124 Region 5 During a meeting on environmental justice in Cincinnati, Ohio, with representatives of community groups, EPA officials from Headquarters and Region 5 were informed that there were several USTs located at a housing project called the Winton Terrace Public Housing Complex, a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) building man- aged by the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority. EPA officials agreed to look into the situation even though it was not clear whether the USTs were federal or State- regulated USTs. During its investigation, EPA discovered that the 30 USTs present at the site were not covered by EPA or Ohio's regulations. EPA held a meeting to discuss technical logis- tics and included representatives from Region 5's OUST and Office of Public Affairs, Ohio's Bureau of UST Regulations, Cincinnati's Fire Prevention Bureau, Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, and two cleanup contractors hired by HUD to re- move the USTs. During the meeting, participants established a removal schedule to prioritize those tanks that should be moved first. To ensure the safety of residents and children returning home from school, participants decided that excavations would be completed and backfilled by 3:00 p.m. EPA held a second meeting at the housing complex with the building residents to present the details of the UST removals and to answer any questions. The removal process is underway and the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority will inform the residents of all phases of the operation. Removal of these USTs began in March 1995. Most of the USTs were found not to be leaking and not to have leaked in the past. Completed Milestones 2/95 Held two meetings regarding technical and community elements of site cleanup. 3/95 Removed 13 USTs. Contact Gerry Phillips, (312) 353-4509 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 179 ------- Program-Specific Issues Region 9 Region 9 developed an outreach campaign and provided training to owners and opera- tors of USTs (including Tribal governments) and contractors providing UST-related services. Activities included drafting a consultants manual that describes what owners and operators must do to comply with UST requirements, conducting six 3-day work- shops on Indian lands, and implementing a "Circuit Rider" program in California, Nevada, and Arizona to conduct outreach and provide assistance to Tribal govern- ments in identifying abandoned USTs. The Region 9 Circuit Rider is involved in the continuous process of identifying new sites and owners and operators of abandoned UST sites. The Circuit Rider also pro- vides copies of a UST Notification form which is sent to the Region 9's OUST with a 30-day request for closure of tank(s). The Region provides information to owners and operators on resources that may be used to close the UST. The owners and operators are responsible for working with EPA to assess and clean up the site in the event a release is discovered during closure. In other efforts, Region 9 renewed its grant for $65,000 to the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation will use the grant to oversee tank removals and identify abandoned USTs. The Region also continued to provide technical training to all of the Indian Tribes in the region and assisted Tribal governments in obtaining access to State finan- cial assurance funds. In addition, the Region plans to issue bilingual booklets in Spanish that explain the federal UST release detection and remediation of LUST requirements in simplified terms. If the proposed booklet project is not feasible, OUST has proposed to duplicate a previously-translated Spanish training video, "Looking for the Honest Tank." Completed Milestones 9/94 Distributed consultants manual. 11/94 Conducted six 3-day workshops on Indian Lands where over 200 attended. 3/94 Implemented California and Nevada Circuit Rider program. 9/94 Renewed grant to Navajo Nation. Contact Pat Eklund, (415) 744-2079 Action Item Incorporate environmental justice criteria into UST State grant and coopera- tive agreements. Region 1 Region I is working with the States of Massachusetts and Connecticut to incorporate environmental justice concerns into their State program approval (SPA) that they sub- mitted to EPA in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Each State submitted an approved 180 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Underground Storage Tanks environmental justice policy with their SPA application, certifying that its citizens would not be denied equal access to environmental benefits because of racial or eco- nomic make-up nor bear a disproportionate share of the risks and consequences of environmental policy. EPA held a public hearing on June 30,1994, to address the Massachusetts SPA appli- cation. Environmental justice groups at the meeting raised several issues regarding the State program and regulations that were addressed by EPA and the State-lead UST/ LUST agencies. One of the issues raised concerned how the State should identify and remove abandoned USTs. These groups also wanted the State to develop a multi- lingual public participation and outreach program, reform State rules to allow commu- nity groups access to the State financial assurance fund for cleanup of contaminated properties, and to include socioeconomic criteria in determining UST/LUST policies. A public hearing for Connecticut's SPA approval is scheduled for the summer of 1995. Completed Milestones 6/94 Held public hearing on approval of Massachusetts SPA application. 12/94 State addressed public comments on environmental justice for Massachusetts's SPA application. Contacts Myra Schwartz, (617) 573-5743 Jonathan Walker, (617) 573-9602 Region 2 Region 2 is providing technical assistance and is identifying the appropriate mecha- nisms for multi-media environmental management support to Indian Tribes. For this effort, Region 2 provided grants to the Seneca, Mohawk, and Oneida Nations during fiscal year 1994 in the amounts of $125,000; $151,669; and $125,568 respectively. In fiscal year 1995, grants were provided to the same Tribes, $155,430; $142,577; and $110,000, respectively. The grants were provided to conduct multimedia environmen- tal assessments and UST inspections. Region 2 also provided funds to the Air, Water, Superfund, Wetlands, and Radon programs to further support activities in Tribal na- tions. In addition, Region 2 established an Indian Workgroup made up of representa- tives of all these programs to examine other mechanisms for assistance to Tribal gov- ernments. Completed Milestones 4/94 Provided grants for fiscal year 1994. 3/95 Provided additional funding to Air, Water, Superfund, Wetlands, and Ra- don programs. 4/95 Provided grants for fiscal year 1995. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 181 ------- Program-Specific Issues Contacts Christine Yost, (212) 264-6722 Dit Cheung, (212)637-4124 Alice Whitney, (212) 264-9000 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 3 Region 3 amended the grant/cooperative agreement (CA) language in fiscal year 1995 for UST grants and LUST CAs to States. The changes to grants and CAs address environmental justice concerns in compliance inspections and in the priority ranking of LUST sites. Contact Patricia Tan, (215) 597-8392 Region 9 In March 1995, Region 9 provided the States with specific grant guidance on incorpo- rating environmental justice initiatives in certain workplan activities such as leak de- tection inspections and oversight of LUST sites. The Region also requires the States to inform EPA of any environmental justice activities through quarterly reports. Completed Milestones 3/95 Forwarded grant guidance to States. Contact Pat Eklund, (414)744-2079 Action Item Encourage minority contractors to apply for certification; and award a grant to National Association of Minority Contractors. Office of Underground Storage Tanks OUST awarded a grant of $100,000 to the National Association of Minority Contrac- tors to train and certify minority contractors in the removal, installation, monitoring, and leak detection of USTs. This grant will allow for approximately 90 contractors to be trained (at three sessions with 30 firms per session) in fiscal year 1995. Approxi- mately 450 contractors have been trained over the last five years. Completed Milestones 8/94 Awarded grant. 182 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Underground Storage Tanks Contact Shonee Clark, (703) 308-8895 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Contracts, Grants, and Labor topic area.] Action Item Find ways to provide funds and technical assistance to State and Tribal govern- ments. Office of Underground Storage Tanks To increase Tribal ability to use the LUST program, OUST requested Congressional authority to give LUST Trust Fund monies to Indian Tribes through RCRA Section 8001. These funds will be used to help Tribes develop the capability to implement an UST program. Completed Milestones 9/94 Request for monies to Indian Tribes approved. Contact Bill Lienesch, (703) 308-8873 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] OUST also has been reviewing when and how LUST Trust Fund monies may be used to fund cleanups in response to petroleum releases from UST systems on Indian Lands. OUST is drafting guidance that will replace a previous OSWER policy directive on conducting Federal-lead UST corrective action. Completed Milestones 3/95 Draft outline of new guidance sent to UST/LUST Regional Program Managers for review. Contacts Maria Hebenstreit, (703) 308-8566 Amy Haseltine, (703) 308-8898 Region 2 Region 2 is providing technical assistance to Indian Tribes for the management of USTs. As part of empowering Native American Tribes to become self-sufficient in managing USTs and solid waste landfills, the Regional Administrator held a meeting with leaders of the St. Regis Mohawk and Oneida Tribes, which are two of the seven federally recognized Indian Nations. Region 2 plans to conduct a seminar in May 1995 to assist the Tribes in developing local programs for USTs and solid waste land- fills. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 183 ------- Program-Specific Issues Completed Milestones 11/94 Met with leaders of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. 3/95 Met with leaders of the Oneida tribe. Contact Dit Cheung, (212)637-4124 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native/American Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 3 As part of an ongoing effort to encourage States to enforce UST regulations in envi- ronmental justice communities, Region 3 targeted 11 facilities with USTs in the cities of Chester and Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, for inspection during the summer of 1994. These inspections identified violations which included improper leak detection, fail- ure to close unused tanks, and lack of financial mechanisms for cleanup of releases should they occur. Violators were issued on-the-spot field citations with penalty amounts ranging from $300 to $700. Completed Milestones 8/94 Inspected of 11 facilities with USTs. Contact Patricia Tan, (215) 597-8392 Region 4 The Region 4 UST Compliance Team conducted inspections of the UST facilities on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation. During inspections a number of UST leak detection violations were documented. The Region 4 UST Compliance Team has worked with the tribe to correct these leak detection violations which, if left uncorrected, could result in a petroleum release going undetected and becoming a major health and environmental problem. Completed Milestones 12/94 Completed inspection of UST facilities on the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Reservation. Contact Mike Hollinger, (404) 347-3866, x6615 Region 6 At the request of the Santa Clara Indian Pueblo, Region 6's OUST provided assistance in determining the extent of contamination from a leaking UST on Pueblo lands within the City of Espanola, New Mexico. Region 6 obtained the services of a contractor to carry out sampling and testing activities and concluded that the site posed only a mini- 184 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Underground Storage Tanks mal threat, and recommended that the Santa Clara Pueblo conduct periodic testing of groundwater. In December 1994, the Santa Clara Indian Pueblo in Espanola again requested assis- tance to determine the extent of a suspected petroleum contamination believed to be migrating from adjacent property. The UST Bureau of the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) acts as the implementing agency for the adjacent property. The UST Bureau began sampling on the adjacent property in February 1995 to determine whether the suspected release poses any threat to the Santa Clara Pueblo's property. Results of the sampling were reported to EPA in mid-March 1995. Completed Milestones 2/94 Conducted sampling of Santa Clara Indian Pueblo property in Espanola, New Mexico. 12/94 Received request for UST technical assistance. Contact Guanita Reiter, (214) 665-6656 [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 8 Region 8 assisted State and Tribal enforcement programs in complying with UST leak detection requirements by taking direct Federal action both on and off Indian lands. Region 8 conducted over 100 leak detection inspections, jointly with Tribal and State authorities and issued 48 field citations at facilities on these lands with penalties rang- ing from $50 to $650 per facility. The Region also issued five Notices of Violation (NOVs) for federal facilities on Indian lands and issued an administrative order. [Note: This entry is also reported under the Native American/Tribal Issues topic area.] Region 8 developed and presented a seminar on meeting the requirements for upgrad- ing USTs on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. The seminar was open to UST owners and operators, consultants and contractors, State and local governments, and Tribal officials. The seminar helped to raise the awareness, particularly forTribal mem- bers, of the need to upgrade tanks early. Similar events are planned for at least one location in other Region 8 States over the next several months. Region 8 also developed and presented a course on corrosion and USTs. The course was presented in one location in each State within Region 8. Tribal members were invited and encouraged to attend a session to educate them on the need to upgrade tanks on reservations. Completed Milestones 9/93-9/94 Conducted leak detection inspections, issued field citations, NOVs, and an administrative order. 7/94 Conducted corrosion seminars. 3/95 Conducted seminar on upgrading. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 185 ------- Program-Specific Issues Contacts Suzanne Stevenson, (303) 293-1669 (Inspections) Teri Bahrych, (303) 293-1484 (Upgrading Seminar on USTs) Debbie Ehlert, (303) 293-1514 (Corrosion Seminars) Region 9 Region 9 worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to modify their lease lan- guage requiring cleanup of contaminated sites on Indian lands. Negotiations are un- derway and should be completed by September 1995. Region 9's OUST is working with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the SEDESOL (the Mexican equivalent of the United States EPA) Re- gional Office in Nogales, Mexico, to conduct joint leak detection inspections in the Nogales area, in both the United States and Mexico. The purpose of these inspections is to exchange information and provide opportunities for cross-training. In addition, Region 9's OUST is working with the County of San Diego to conduct a week-long training on UST release detection and remediation of LUST sites for own- ers and operators along the California/Mexico border and for Mexico's environmental authorities. Completed Milestones 1/95 Finalized workplan and project negotiations with San Diego County. 1/95 Initiated planning and organization of week-long training. Contact Jennie Bravinder, (415) 744-2104 Action Item Work with other federal agencies to incorporate environmental justice issues into UST and LUST programs. Region 1O Region 10 signed an interagency agreement (IAG) with BIA transferring $15,000 from the LUST Trust Fund to BIA's Yakima Agency. The BIA, in turn, added the funds to an existing natural resources contract with the Yakima Indian Nation which allowed the tribe to conduct a reservation-wide survey of abandoned USTs. Completed Milestones 8/94 Signed IAG with BIA. Contacts Geoff Keeler, (206) 553-1089 Jannine Jennings, (509) 865-5121, x654 186 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 187 ------- Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Expand the use of Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) and Land View electronic software systems to support environmental justice communities 191 Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office 191 Region 1 191 Region 2 192 Regions 192 Work with affected environmental justice communities to explain community right-to-know information 192 Region 4. ,. 192 Region 6 192 Region? 193 Regions 193 Region 10. 194 Use the chemical safety audit program to promote environmental justice 194 Region 1 194 Region3 195 Region 6 195 Region?............. 195 Send a letter to all governors regarding efforts EPA is making on environmental justice issues and requesting support in this effort 196 Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office 196 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 189 ------- Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Topic Area: Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Action Item Expand the use of Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) and LandView electronic software systems to support environmental justice communities. Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office The Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) software, de- signed for use in emergency planning and response, is being issued in an updated version for Windows. LandView, the CD-ROM reference atlas that combines maps with demographic and economic census data along with EPA facility databases, is scheduled for release in April 1995. CEPPO is preparing related communications materials and will announce and distribute LandView. The Headquarters CEPPO will train the Regions in use of the system, and the Regions will train States and local groups in its application. The sets of 11 LandView disks are now in production and will be available for purchase through the Department of Commerce. CEPPO is mak- ing LandView available at no charge to certain audiences and is currently examining the most appropriate ways to deliver the system to communities with environmental justice concerns. Completed Milestones 4/95 Began production of LandView disks and related outreach materials. 4/95 Planned LandView training session for Federal agencies involved with the Interagency Task Force on environmental justice, to be held at the National Archives and Records Administration in May 1995. Contact Tony Jover, (202) 260-1448 Region 1 Region I has conducted CAMEO training to create a cadre of certified CAMEO-DOS instructors in New England. The new instructors are scheduling CAMEO courses over the next fiscal year. Completed Milestones 1/95 Conducted CAMEO training in Vermont that included environmental jus- tice students. Contact Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 191 ------- Program-Specific Issues Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Leonard B. Wallace IV, (617) 860-4694 Region 2 Region 2 is developing a pilot environmental justice outreach module that demon- strates LandView to Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC) and community groups and explains community right-to-know information. Regional staff received a test set of LandView disks, and they are becoming familiar with the system. Region 2 is currently selecting a community for the pilot and developing an environmental jus- tice outreach strategy. Contact John Higgins, (908) 906-6194 Region 5 Region 5 staff are working on a pilot project to apply LandView at several sites. Re- gion 5 has been mapping locations in two counties on the Mississippi River to learn whether facilities are concentrated in areas of environmental justice concern. Completed Milestones 1/95 Completed assembling database for mapping project. Contact Mark Horwitz, (312) 353-9045 Action Item Work with affected environmental justice communities to explain community right- to-know information. Region 4 Region 4 is working to fully integrate environmental justice concerns into prepared- ness and prevention activities. Efforts include coordinating activities with State Emer- gency Response Committees (SERCs) and LEPCs, targeting geographical environ- mental justice areas, developing a target list for chemical safety audits, and conducting educational outreach activities. Contact Bill Taylor, (404) 347-3555, x6908 Region 6 Region 6 sponsored and held a State-wide conference for LEPCs near the New Or- leans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, industrial corridor that brought together regional 192 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention experts in the fields of toxicology, hazard analysis, and emergency response proce- dures. The purpose of the conference was to address the broad needs of LEPCs, in- cluding the integration of environmental justice representatives into their member- ship. A responsible party funded the conference as part of the settlement of an en- forcement action. Completed Milestones 9/94 Sponsored conference for LEPCs. Contact Jim Staves, (214)665-2277 Region 7 Region 7 is working to incorporate environmental justice considerations into its pre- paredness and prevention program. In this effort, Region 7 staff analyzed census data and identified the counties in the Region that may have possible environmental justice concerns. In high priority areas, staff are performing chemical safety audits and pro- viding the results of the reports to the appropriate LEPC. Region 7 plans to conduct education outreach to LEPCs, SERCs, and Tribal Emergency Response Commissions. Completed Milestones 12/94 Completed report targeting environmental justice areas. 12/94 Developed audit target list Contact Alan Wehmeyer, (913) 551-7336 Region 8 Region 8 has begun extensive efforts to explain and disseminate community right-to- know information to areas with environmental justice concerns. Specific activities included the following: • Sending letters to 28 Federally recognized Indian Tribes to offer assistance in train- ing, outreach, and exercises in emergency response training; • Attending a Tribe-sponsored hazardous materials conference on the Flathead Res- ervation, Montana, to explain chemical accident preparedness and prevention as well as emergency response; • Conducting several hazardous materials training courses at the "awareness" and "operations" levels for Indian Tribes in South Dakota and Montana; • Holding a short-term peer exchange work session on emergency planning and re- sponse in Kanab, Utah, for Indian Tribes in Utah and Arizona; • Holding a Tribal environmental summit in Rapid City; the summit included a pre- sentation on preparedness and prevention for all Indian Tribes in Region 8; and Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 193 ------- Program-Specific Issues • Assisting the Pine Ridge Reservation with risk analysis for hazardous materials during a site visit. Completed Milestones 8/94 & 11/94 Sent letters to 28 Indian Tribes. 9/94 Conducted several hazardous material training courses at the "awareness" and "operations" levels. 11/94 Held a short-term peer exchange work session on emergency planning and response in Kanab, Utah. 12/94 Held a Tribal environmental summit including a presentation on prepared- ness and prevention in Rapid City. 12/94 Assisted the Pine Ridge Reservation with risk analysis. 1/95 Attended a Tribe-sponsored hazardous materials conference on the Flat- head Reservation. Contact Eric Steinhaus, (303) 294-7162 Region 1O Region 10 is working with the Colville Tribe and nearby counties on emergency pre- paredness. In fiscal year 1994, EPA funded a $10,000 grant through the State of Wash- ington to the Lake Roosevelt Forum, which includes the Colville Tribe. The grant funded a cross-border workshop and vulnerability analysis. The Spokane Tribe also requested EPA assistance to conduct a vulnerability analysis for a smaller but similar area. Completed Milestones 10/94 Funded cross-border workshop and vulnerability analysis. 3/95 Began plans for vulnerability analysis for the Spokane Tribe. Contact Walter Jaspers, (206) 553-0285 Action Item Use the chemical safety audit program to promote environmental justice. Region 1 Region I conducted a full-scale chemical safety audit at a minority-owned small busi- ness in Belmont, Massachusetts. Regional specialists provided recommendations for preventing the inadvertent mixing of acids and cyanide solutions that release toxic 194 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention hydrogen cyanide gas. These recommendations, which included information on safety criteria and environmental regulations, proved of economic benefit to the company. Completed Milestones 10/94 Conducted chemical safety audit. Contact Ray DiNardo, (617) 860-4694 Region 3 Region 3 has fully incorporated its environmental justice checklist items into its chemical safety audit program. Region 3 staff conducted a small-scale safety audit as a pilot for the environmental justice checklist in conjunction with the Chester Initiative, which deals with long-term environmental exposures and risks. Contact Kevin Koob, (215) 597-9355 Region 6 The Region 6 Contingency Planning Section in the Environmental Services Division conducts four chemical safety audits per year. The audits focus on process safety at facilities, emergency response procedures, community relations, and programs for ac- cident preparedness and prevention. About 2,000 facilities are eligible for an audit each year, which means a variety of selection criteria must be applied to identify the most appropriate facilities to target. Audit specialists have now begun to use Region 6 environmental justice methodology, which is based on U.S. census data, as an addi- tional criterion for selection of facilities for audits. Completed Milestones 6/94 Developed selection criteria for audits. 7/94 Selected facilities for quarterly audits. 8/94 Conducted audits. Contact Jim Staves, (214)665-2277 Region 7 By analyzing U.S. census socio-economic data, Region 7 determined the counties with the highest density of minority and economically disadvantaged populations in the Region. By overlaying the location of facilities that are candidates for chemical safety audits, Region 7 staff targeted audits at facilities that may have environmental justice Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 195 ------- Program-Specific Issues concerns. These audits verify that facility contingency plans include provisions to protect nearby residents in the event of a chemical emergency. Completed Milestones 9/94 Prepared list of facilities for chemical safety audits. 9/94 Conducted audits. Contact Alan Wehmeyer, (913) 551-7336 Action Item Send a letter to all governors regarding efforts EPA is making on environmental justice issues and requesting support in this effort. Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office The Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO) drafted a let- ter asking governors to encourage the SERCs and LEPCs to appoint representatives to reflect a broad representation of all populations in local areas, including minority and economically disadvantaged populations. After EPA reviews and comments on the letter, the National Governors Association will review the letter before its distribution to governors. Contact Coriolana Simon, (202) 260-9779 196 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues Technology Innovation Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 197 ------- Technology Innovation Technology Innovation Conduct demographic analysis of innovative technology sites 201 Technology Innovation Office 201 Continue efforts with the Small Business Administration to promote small businesses that focus on environmental technologies 201 Technology Innovation Office 201 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report— 199 ------- Technology Innovation Topic Area: Technology Innovation Action item Conduct demographic analysis of innovative technology sites. Technology Innovation Office As of the end of fiscal year 1993, innovative remediation technologies have been se- lected at 263 Superfund National Priorities List sites. Ninety of these innovative remediation technology sites are included in a site inventory with demographic data. Technology Innovation Office (TIO) analyzed the demographic information on these sites to determine whether any correlation exists between site demographics and inno- vative technology selection. Minority and low-income sites were identified by considering the racial/ethnic popu- lation within a one-mile radius of the site, and comparing to the overall representation of groups in the state containing the site. The analysis indicated no correlation be- tween the selection of innovative treatment technologies and the racial, ethnic, and income characteristics of the populations around these sites. That is, the proportion of minority and low-income sites is essentially the same for the universe of sites choos- ing innovative technologies as it is for all sites. Completed Milestones 5/94 Conducted demographic analysis. Contact John Kingscott, (703) 308-8749 Action Item Continue efforts with the Small Business Administration to promote small busi- nesses that focus on environmental technologies. Technology Innovation Office TIO and the Office of Research and Development (ORD) entered into an interagency agreement (IAG) in September 1993 to form a partnership between EPA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) on new technologies and EPA programs, regulations, and policies at Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offices around the coun- try. The goals of the partnership, announced in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by EPA and SBA, are to: • Promote the formation of small businesses that focus on environmental technolo- gies; • Assist technology developers in beginning and enhancing their business ventures; • Assist potential customers of new technologies in identifying alternative technolo- gies; Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 201 ------- Program-Specific Issues • Create incentives to purchase environmentally superior technologies; and • Assist small businesses with compliance by making regulatory information avail- able for business. These efforts could help foster more minority business in distressed areas, thereby promoting economic redevelopment. In an effort to provide mechanisms for small businesses to improve access to capital, EPA (Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response) and SBA undertook a finance study, which was released at the White House Conference on Sustainable Technolo- gies in December 1994. This finance study focused on two categories of small busi- nesses: developers and users. The study identified the size of developers' and users' financing needs and barriers to obtaining financing. The study also presented policy alternatives that focused on using existing programs (SBA and EPA programs) to avoid creating any new funds or programs. One of the policy alternatives presented for financing developers was the concept of an "Enviro Technology Bank of the US." This bank would be an SBA's Small Business Investment Company (SBIC). SBICs, licensed and regulated by the SBA, are privately owned and managed investment firms. SBICs make venture capital investments in small businesses using their own funds plus funds obtained by borrowing at favorable rates with an SBA guarantee and by selling their preferred stock to SBA. The SBICs provide equity capital, long-term loans, debt equity investments, and management assistance to small businesses. EPA and SBA are continuing to meet with the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce, and senior White House staff to discuss future steps. TIO also has performed a needs and capability assessment on environmental educa- tion of small businesses through the SBDC network. In terms of this task, environ- mental education includes: environmental programs, regulatory and compliance is- sues, pollution prevention, recycling and remediation technologies, and technology transfer. This project assessment was developed under the IAG between SBA and EPA. Both agencies will use this assessment to develop resources and training for the SBDC network. EPA and SBA have reviewed the preliminary findings of the SBDC's needs and capa- bilities with respect to environmental education. SBA's SBDC Office and EPA's TIO; Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances; Office of Enforcement of Com- pliance Assurance; Office of Solid Waste; and ORD will review these preliminary findings and determine the need for subsequent inquiries. These offices also will con- sider addressing the SBDC's needs by packaging environmental resource information for SBDC distribution. Completed Milestones 9/93 IAG signed by EPA/SBA. 11/93 MOU signed by EPA/SBA. 12/94 Finance study completed. 3/95 Preliminary findings of the SBDC's needs and capabilities reviewed. Contact Michael Forlini, (703) 308-8825 202 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Program-Specific Issues Federal Facilities Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 203 ------- Federal Facilities Federal Facilities Incorporate environmental justice issues into the Federal Facilities Environmental Dialogue Committee (FFERDC) recommendations for improving decision-making at Federal facilities cleanups 207 Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office 207 Provide information on and sensitize Federal agencies to environmental justice concerns related to base closures and other high-priority Federal facility sites 207 Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office 207 Region 1 209 Region 2 209 RegionS 211 Region 4 211 RegionS 212 Region 6 213 Region 7 214 RegionS 215 Region 9 217 Region 10 218 Educate minority populations on the environmental decision-making process as related to cleanup of large Federal facilities 218 Region 4 218 Encourage Native American and Native Hawaiian stakeholder involvement 219 Region 2 219 Region 9 219 Region 10 220 Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 205 ------- Federal Facilities Topic Area: Federal Facilities Action Item Incorporate environmental justice issues into the Federal Facilities Environ- mental Dialogue Committee (FFERDC) recommendations for improving deci- sion-making at Federal facilities cleanups. Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office The Federal Facilities Environmental Dialogue Committee (FFERDC) is a legally con- stituted committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The commit- tee, which includes 50 representatives of Federal, state, tribal, and local agencies and of environmental, community, and labor organizations, develops consensus policy rec- ommendations for improving decision-making at Federal facilities. Initiated and co- ordinated by EPA, the FFERDC is a leading body for involving stakeholders in devel- oping national policy toward the cleanup of Federal facilities. In January 1995, the FFERDC added five environmental justice representatives from diverse communities including African-Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, and Alaskan natives. Key issues under consideration by the FFERDC include: ensuring environmental justice concerns are taken into account when prioritizing Federal facil- ity cleanups; including representatives from disadvantaged communities on commu- nity advisory boards; and improving minority and small business contracting at Fed- eral facility cleanups. The FFERDC plans to release a final report with recommenda- tions to the Federal government in December 1995. Completed Milestones 1/95 Added representatives of environmental justice concerned groups to FFERDC. 1/95 Held plenary meeting in San Francisco, California. Contact Sven-Erik Kaiser, (202) 260-5138 Action Item Provide information on and sensitize Federal agencies to environmental justice concerns related to base closures and other high-priority Federal facility sites. Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office Restoration Advisory Boards EPA's environmental justice support to other Federal agencies helps the agencies focus their public outreach efforts to more equitably serve their communities. EPA and the Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 207 ------- Program-Specific Issues Department of Defense (DOD) issued joint guidelines on establishing Restoration Advisory Boards (RABs) on September 27, 1994. When environmental restoration is planned for a military installation, RABs provide a framework for partnership among the installation, the regulatory agencies, communities, and other stakeholders to result in a more efficient, cost-effective, and focused approach to the restoration. The guid- ance directed EPA regional programs to work with their military service counterparts to ensure that input from all stakeholders is considered when decisions related to the cleanup are made, thus increasing the acceptability of government decisions and re- ducing conflict. DOD policy requires RABs to be established at all closing installations and at non- closing installations where the local community expresses interest. EPA has assisted in establishing RABs at 69 major closing installations and at many other DOD instal- lations. EPA participates in RAB meetings and ensures that environmental justice issues are addressed. DOD and EPA offered RAB training sessions throughout the country during the summer of 1994. Based on EPA's experience with the Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program, EPA also is helping DOD develop mechanisms for DOD funding of technical assistance to RABs and community groups. Completed Milestones 9/94 EPA and DOD issued joint guidelines on RABs. 8/94 DOD and EPA conducted RAB training sessions throughout the country. Contact Linda Rutsch, (202) 260-1270 Site-Specific Advisory Boards EPA also is working with the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish Site-Specific Advisory Boards (SSAB) at all major DOE facilities. Similar to DOD's RABs, SSABs provide a mechanism for stakeholder involvement in the cleanup decision-making process. SSABs members represent residents that live at or near the site; local govern- ment, citizen, and environmental groups; workers involved in or affected by the cleanup; affected Indian Tribes; and Federal and state agencies. DOE issued interim guidance for establishing SSABs in November 1994. Final guidance is under review, and joint signature by EPA and DOE is planned, Completed Milestones 11/94 DOE issued interim guidance. Contact Linda Rutsch, (202) 260-1270 Defense Environmental Restoration Response Task Force In addition, EPA is a member of the Defense Environmental Response Task Force (DERTF), a Congressionally mandated interagency task force charged with examining the environmental issues associated with the cleanup and reuse of closing military installations. The DERTF established an environmental justice working group in the 208 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Facilities summer of 1994. Recommendations from this working group regarding environmen- tal justice at military base closings were included in the DERTF annual report to Con- gress, issued in January 1995. These recommendations are as follows: • DOD, EPA, the Department of Justice, and General Services Administration (as appropriate) should ensure that programs among those agencies that involve simi- lar objectives and activities with respect to environmental justice are consolidated or coordinated. • The Office of the Secretary of Defense should maintain liaison with committees and organizations working on environmental justice and ensure that objectives and processes related to environmental justice are incorporated into all cleanup programs. Completed Milestones 1/95 Issued DERTF annual report to Congress. Contact Linda Rutsch, (202) 260-1270 Region 1 Region I has begun an initiative to collect demographic data and prepare geographic information system (GIS) maps for use when closing bases and other high priority Federal facilities in the Region. These maps provide information on potential environ- mental justice issues at the facilities and are used by EPA Remedial Project Managers (RPMs), Federal facility RPMs, state RPMs, and facility commanders. This effort will be followed by individual site meetings for those installations with environmental justice issues. Region I will provide the base commanders of 15 Federal facilities with methods and strategies to effectively address these issues. On April 7,1995, Re- gion 1 sent GIS information with a letter of explanation to 15 Federal facilities. Completed Milestones 1/95 Developed and gained approval of the plan to collect demographic data and prepare GIS maps. 4/95 Sent GIS information with explanatory letters to 15 Federal facilities. Contact Patty Marajh-Whittemore, (617) 223-5582 Region 2 In accordance with DOD policy, RABs have been established at virtually all of its facilities, most notably at base closure sites, but at non-base closure sites also. RAB membership of widely diversified interests and representative of the surrounding com- munities has been solicited by DOD representatives at its bases. At all National Prior- ity List (NPL) sites and at some non-NPL sites EPA and the states are members of the RAB, in addition to DOD. Other members of RABs may typically include local busi- Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 209 ------- Program-Specific Issues ness, labor and environmental groups. Minority and economically depressed group membership is actively solicited, but depending on interest, application, and active participation, groups may or may not be represented on RABs. One such case is at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, where representatives of the St. Regis Mohawk Indians have met separately with Region 2 on several occasions to discuss interests in Plattsburgh Air Force Base. At the non-NPL former Raritan Arsenal New Jersey site (a DOD-Army-formerly used defense site) EPA Region 2 is a member of the Technical Review Committee (TRC), along with the Army, state, and local businesses and environmental groups. EPA to- gether with the Army and state has worked to help expedite removal actions to foster development for Middlesex County College which now occupies parts of this former army arsenal. In addition, part of the site is occupied by the homeless. Region 2 continues active participation on RABs and RAB meetings which are held at least quarterly. The Region continues active solicitation of environmental justice groups to participate on RABs and encourages discussions on environmental justice issues at RAB meetings. Completed Milestones 8/94 Initiated removal action at the Raritan Arsenal. 12/94 Griffiss Air Force Base RAB met. 12/94 Raritan Arsenal TRC met. 2/95 Plattsburgh Air Force Base RAB met. 3/95 Raritan Arsenal TRC met. Contacts Robert Wing, (212) 637-4332 (Federal Facilities) Robert Morse, (212) 637-3564 (Plattsburgh) Christine Yost, (212) 637-3564 (Indian Affairs) Helen Shannon, (212) 637-4324 (Raritan Arsenal) Douglas Pocze, (212) 637-4432 (Griffiss) In addition to normal public comment on proposed plans, EPA Region 2 and cognizant Federal facilities, together with states and local public officials, hosted site-specific workshops and public meetings to address specific community concerns. At the DOE Maywood and Wayne, New Jersey, sites, EPA Region 2, DOE, and the state partici- pated in numerous public meetings and workshops to address community concerns regarding radioactively contaminated soil cleanup and risk issues. Region 2 will con- tinue to participate in workshops and public meetings to address a variety of commu- nity concerns as needed. Completed Milestones 11/91-3/95 Held public meetings for the Wayne, New Jersey, site. 12/90-3/95 Held public meetings held for the Maywood site. 210 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Facilities Contacts Robert Wing, (212) 637-4332 (Federal Facilities) Angela Carpenter, (212) 637-4433 (Wayne and Maywood) Region 3 Region 3 collected demographic data and prepared GIS maps for each Base Realign- ment and Closure (BRAC) installation and other high priority Federal facilities in the Region. Region 3 sent letters to installation commanders describing the Environmen- tal Justice Executive Order and provided the GIS maps. The Region asked for replies by the end of January 1995. Region 3 held a day-long Federal facility RPM meeting to discuss environmental justice issues. Facility responses to the environmental justice letters were discussed at this meeting. Individual locations and sets of circumstances were selected for further, more focused efforts. The Region currently is planning a Federal facility training conference, "The 1995 Northeast Federal Facilities Environmental Conference—Compliance and Pollution Prevention Through Improved Partnerships" to be held April 11-13, 1995. The meet- ing will involve several hundred people. Environmental justice presentations will be included in the agenda. Completed Milestones 4/94 Developed and gained approval of plan to collect demographic data and prepare GIS maps. 4/94 Oriented staff to environmental justice. 7/94 Prepared GIS maps of BRAC sites. 8/94 Analyzed maps, obtained field verification. 10/94 Presented Regional environmental justice plan to Federal Facilities Lead- ership Council. 12/94 Sent letters to major commands with GIS maps and information on the Environmental Justice Executive Order. Contact Jack Potosnak, (215) 597-2317 Region 4 The Region 4 Federal Facilities Branch hired a Community Relations Coordinator (CRC) for DOD and BRAC installations. Region 4 CRC has reviewed three RAB charters and eight community relations plans to ensure that environmental justice is- sues are addressed. Region 4's contribution has included daily ex-officio support to citizen boards, including significant use of technical staff, such as RPMs and program managers. EPA's commitment in this area increases the opportunity for improvement in environmental justice areas. The CRC continues to review RAB charters and com- munity relations plans. In addition, all major BRAC installations in the Region have established RABs or are in the process of completing RAB selection. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 211 ------- Program-Specific Issues The Region 4 BRAC team provided training to communities on environmental issues affecting them. The training topics included the Superfund process, technology, and understanding acronyms. Completed Milestones 11/94 Hired CRC. 2/95 Completed BRAC team training. Contacts Tiki Whitfield, (404) 347-3555, x2045 Michelle Glenn, (404) 347-5245 In addition to hiring a CRC, Region 4 also has hired two minority interns to work in the Federal Facilities Branch. One of the interns is providing environmental justice and other community relations support at DOE sites. The other intern is providing administrative and tracking support. In addition, Region 4 and DOE plan to jointly sponsor a minority intern to work on issues associated with the DOE Savannah River Site. The position was advertised in communities with people of color and in commu- nities potentially impacted by the Savannah River Site. Completed Milestones 1/94 Initiated the intern program. 2/95 Advertised intern positions for Savannah River Site. Contact Camilla Warren, (404) 347-3016 Region 5 EPA Region 5 is collecting demographic data and preparing GIS maps for five Federal facilities in the Region. These maps provide information on potential environmental justice issues at the facilities and are used by EPA RPMs, Federal facility RPMs, state RPMs, and facility commanders. Once the maps are completed, the Region will send them to the Federal facilities with a letter of explanation. Region 5 also formed RABs at all 12 bases that are closing in the Region, making concerted efforts to recruit representatives from affected groups. The EPA RPMs as- signed to the closing bases will have environmental justice training and will monitor all closure activities for environmental justice concerns. Completed Milestones 3/94 Formed RABs. 12/94 Initiated the collection of demographic data. Contact Ken Tindall, (312) 886-9895 212 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Facilities Region 6 Region 6 is using GIS to identify installations with environmental justice concerns that have been designated for closure or realignment under the BRAC Act. The Re- gion also has begun to develop an environmental justice community outreach program through the site RABs. RABs have been established at five bases in Region 6: Bergstrom Air Force Base, Eaker Air Force Base, England Air Force Base, Dallas Naval Air Sta- tion, and Fort Wingate. Bergstrom Air Force Base is located on the southeastern boundary of the City of Aus- tin, Texas. The percentage of minority population within the 50 square miles sur- rounding Bergstrom Air Force Base is considered to be above the state average. Bergstrom Air Force Base solicited potential nominations for RAB members from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission, the Texas Attorney General's of- fice, and the City of Austin. Letters inviting nominations for membership were issued to several hundred individuals in February 1994. The Region also announced forma- tion of the RAB in the local newspaper. The RAB was established for Bergstrom in May 1994, and contains several members of Hispanic or African-American heritage. The RAB conducts monthly meetings and, at the request of EPA, publicly announces RAB meetings in the local newspaper. The RAB also evaluated the need for translating some environmental materials into Span- ish by contacting several Hispanic community leaders; from this evaluation, the RAB determined that this was not necessary. Region 6 continues to participate in RAB activities at this base. Eaker Air Force Base is located in a predominantly agricultural area in Blytheville, Arkansas, and the analysis indicates that the percentage of minority population within the 50 square miles surrounding Eaker is above the state average. The higher minority population indicates that Eaker is a site at which there are environmental justice con- cerns. The Eaker Air Force Base Restoration Advisory Board, established in July 1994, provides a forum to address the environmental justice concerns through monthly meetings. The base also has an active dialogue with the Quapaw Indians and the Arkansas State Historic Preservation Officer concerning historic Native American ar- eas within the base. The demographic analysis of the area in and around England Air Force Base in Alex- andria, Louisiana, indicated that the percentage of minority population within the 50 square miles surrounding the base is below the state average. Formation of a RAB for the base was initiated by sending several hundred letters soliciting nomination of mem- bers. The RAB for the base was established in April 1994. Several of the RAB members, including the Community Co-Chair, are part of the minority community from the surrounding Alexandria and Pineville areas. Notices of the quarterly meetings are published in the local paper and sent to all interested parties on the base mailing list. In addition, there has also been television, radio, and newspa- per coverage of all meetings. The 837-acre Dallas Naval Air Station is located 12 miles southwest of downtown Dallas, Texas. The percentage of minority population within the 50 square miles sur- rounding Dallas Naval Air Station is above the state average. Dallas Naval Air Station solicited nominations for the RAB through public notices and an extensive mailing Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 213 ------- Program-Specific Issues effort. A two-stage selection process was instituted to ensure diversity among the members. The members selected represent minority groups, small businesses, large businesses, academic communities, environmental activists, elected officials, neigh- borhood associations, and labor unions. The RAB was formally established in July 1994; meetings are ongoing (initially monthly; now bi-monthly). Fort Wingate is located near Gallop, New Mexico, in a predominantly rural setting. The percentage of minority population within the 50 square miles surrounding Fort Wingate is above the state average. The RAB was established for the Fort Wingate Depot Activity in August 1994; meet- ings are ongoing (monthly, or as appropriate). Fort Wingate is actively involved in negotiations with the Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding Native American participa- tion in the reuse of this facility. Completed Milestones 2/94 Identified stakeholders and issue letters inviting nominations for mem- bers of the Bergstrom Air Force Base RAB. 4/94 Established the England Air Force Base RAB. 5/94 Established RAB at Bergstrom Air Force Base. 6/94 Completed GIS and identified demographics. 7/94 Established the Eaker Air Force Base RAB. 7/94 Established the Dallas Naval Air Station RAB. 8/94 Establish Fort Wingate RAB. 9/94 Identified RAB stakeholders at Eaker Air Force Base. Contacts Michael Overbay, (214) 665-6482 (Bergstrom Air Force Base) Henry Onsgard, (214) 665-2221 (Eaker Air Force Base) Camille Hueni, (214) 665-2231 (England Air Force Base) Sing Chia, (214) 665-8301 (Dallas Naval Air Station and Fort Wingate) Region 7 Region 7 currently is establishing Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) involving a wide range of stakeholders at several Federal facility or Federal-lead projects. These facilities include two DOE projects, the Weldon Spring Quarry and the St. Louis Air- port sites, and the Hastings Ground Water Contamination site. The Region partici- pated in the joint EPA/DOD RAB Workshops designed to assist installations and regu- latory agencies in implementing enhanced community involvement at DOD facilities. The Regional Environmental Justice Task Force members currently are gathering in- formation from Federal facility site managers to identify sites with potential environ- mental justice concerns. The indication so far is that environmental justice issues are not associated with most Superfund Federal sites and base closure sites in the Region. 214 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Facilities The notable exception is DOE's Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) sites located within the urban core of the St. Louis metropolitan area. An EPA/DOE joint community outreach effort has resulted in the establishment of a CAG to make decisions on the St. Louis FUSRAP sites. Participating stakeholders include several members of the area's congressional delegation, state and local offi- cials, community activists, and business and property owners. At the Weldon Spring Quarry site, the selection board for the CAG completed the selection process and an- nounced its members during the week of January 23, 1995. Completed Milestones 5/94 Participated in RAB workshops. 9/94 Selected candidate sites for priority treatment/CAG formation. 9/94 Established a CAG at the St. Louis FUSRAP site. 1/95 Established a CAG at the Weldon Springs site. Contact Dan Wall, (913)551-7710 Region 8 Region 8 is working closely with two minority communities near the Rocky Mountain Arsenal (RMA). Montbello, located on the southern edge of RMA, has a sizable per- centage of African-American residents. Commerce City, located on the western edge of RMA, has a sizable percentage of Hispanic residents. EPA Region 8 made numerous contacts with the Montbello community and worked closely with local community leaders on these efforts to identify ways to more effec- tively involve the community. EPA also worked with the community's Colorado State legislature representative, a City Councilwoman, her aide, and two staff from the Den- ver Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) on the complicated issues surrounding the remedy selection process and ways to communicate these issues with the commu- nity. In response to other community concerns, EPA has initiated a soil sampling program specifically for Montbello. The effort is being made in cooperation with DHH, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Sampling plans and results will be shared with the community. EPA asked community leaders to sponsor a March 11 meeting to explain that effort. Past CDPHE and ATSDR health studies and the ATSDR Health Assessment also were described at the meeting. Both Montbello and Commerce City have representation on the two citizen advisory boards that exist for RMA. Through the citizen advisory boards and through a special Regional Administrator-level set of meetings with stakeholders, EPA has encouraged local involvement in the remediation decision-making. In addition, last fall EPA and CDPHE began distribution of a new newsletter on the RMA remediation to ensure that a broader perspective is available to the environmen- tal justice communities. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 215 ------- Program-Specific Issues Completed Milestones 9/94-4/95 Held several meetings with community leaders from all the affected communities to express concerns to the Regional Administrator. 10/94 Began distribution of newsletter on RMA remediation. Contact Connally Mears, (303) 293-1528 To assist another Region 8 community, EPA worked with the Air Force at the RE. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, to provide an alternate water supply to the Nob Hill community adjacent to F.E. Warren Air Force Base. The Nob Hill com- munity is a low-income Hispanic community. The residents' drinking water supply is downgradient from a trichloroethylene plume that originates from a landfill located at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. The residents' drinking water supply is contaminated with a variety of volatile organic compounds. The residents currently are receiving bottled water while the Air Force works with the City of Cheyenne and Space Com- mand to "hook-up" the residential community to the city water supply. Region 8 continues to work with the Air Force at F.E. Warren to get Nob Hill residents an ac- ceptable water supply other than bottled water. Completed Milestones 4/94 Received feasibility study report to provide city water line to Nob Hill. 12/94 Established the F.E. Warren Air Force Base RAB.. Contact Art Palomares, (303) 391-6130 In other efforts, Region 8 played a lead role in assuring that the concerns of Native Americans were addressed at the DOE site, Monticello Tailings and Vicinity Proper- ties, in Monticello, Utah. In a proposed change in the 1990 Record of Decision, DOE had to decide whether to move radioactive mill tailings to an off-site location at the White Mesa Mill area located south of Blanding, Utah, or to an on-site location away from a floodplain. Moving the tailings to the off-site location at White Mesa Mill would mean transporting the tailings 27 miles. The community around the Monticello Sites, the Native American population of San Juan County living in the proximity of the White Mesa Mill, and the residents and business establishments adjacent to the corridor of the proposed truck haul route ex- pressed strong opposition to the off-site alternative. The SSAB meetings, established in October 1994 with EPA's guidance as a member of the SSAB, notified DOE of environmental justice issues regarding the decision and the need to actively involve the Native Americans on the SSAB. To help address these issues, DOE hired an inde- pendent facilitator to work with the community and the SSAB. On December 22, 1994, DOE announced its decision to proceed with the on-site alternative due to strong community support for the option. The support centered in part on potential impacts to historic and sacred grounds and, to a greater extent, on the highway safety issue. 216 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Facilities Completed Milestones 12/94 Native Americans accept the DOE decision to keep radioactive mill tail- ings on-site. Contacts J. Mario Robles, (303) 294-1972 Paul S. Mushovic, (303) 294-1983 Region 9 The activities directed at addressing environmental justice concerns in the closing and realignment of bases in Region 9 have varied, depending on the needs of the locality. RABs have been established at all closing bases to broaden representation of commu- nity members with diverse interests, including those with environmental justice con- cerns. During the establishment of the RAB for Castle Air Force Base in California, Region 9 strongly encouraged base officials to involve the largely Hispanic commu- nity. While efforts have been made, Hispanic community interest has been limited, and the RAB currently does not have membership drawn from this community. At the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in California, the primary concern of the environ- mental justice community is the need to create job opportunities, either as part of the environmental investigation and cleanup or via leases that bring new businesses to the community. To this end, EPA has actively worked with the Navy on several leases. EPA worked collaboratively with the Navy on the environmental baseline survey (BBS) and finding of suitability to lease (FOSL) (documents developed to support leasing of specific parcels) and James Richards of Aboriginal Blackman Unlimited, a local Afri- can-American business that provides job training for local residents. EPA wrote the BBS and FOSL for a specific lease to 20th Century Fox for film production. EPA also facilitated resolution of issues allowing the lease of Dry Dock #4, the largest dry dock on the west coast, which has already resulted in employment of 20 local residents of this predominantly African-American community, and promises many more jobs to come. Region 9 held several meetings during fiscal year 1994 with high-level local officials of the Navy to recommend improvements to the Navy's Superfund community in- volvement efforts to promote meaningful dialogue with the Hunters Point environ- mental justice community. EPA interviewed with Navy managers in their search for a community relations specialist to be assigned to the Hunters Point community. EPA also met several times with community leaders to discuss ways to improve community involvement in the Bay view/Hunters Point community and concerns about environ- mental justice. Region 9 plans to issue an environmental justice grant in fiscal year 1995. Request for applications are expected to be issued in the spring of 1995, with the grant being issued by the end of fiscal year 1995. The maximum amount to made available will be $50,000. Completed Milestones 7/94 EPA wrote BBS and FOSL for 20th Century Fox. 7/94 Collaborated and concurred on BBS and FOSL for James Richards. Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 217 ------- Program-Specific Issues 7/94 EPA concurred on BBS and FOSL for Dry Dock #4. 8/94 Held meeting with the leaders of the Bay view/Hunters Point community regarding environmental justice issues. 3/94-12/94 Held meetings with representatives of the Navy regarding environmental justice issues at Hunters Point. Contact Jane Diamond, (415) 744-2384 Region 1O Region 10 reported on the status of activities at its two BRAC installations. One of these bases, Sandpoint Naval Station, has an extensive RAB associated with it. Umatilla Army Depot is a realigning base. Its mission of conventional weapons storage is being transferred to another installation. The Depot has established a RAB through which it solicits community input on the remedial actions that are underway. EPA and DOD ensure that environmental justice issues are discussed with these advisory boards. Completed Milestones 2/94 Established a RAB at Sandpoint Naval Station. Contact Christine Psyk, (206) 553-1748 Action Item Educate minority populations on the environmental decision-making process as related to cleanup of large Federal facilities. Region 4 Region 4 currently is planning information sessions to be held in communities with people of color to explain environmental decision-making as it relates to the cleanup of large Federal facilities. Among the topics to be included in these sessions is infor- mation on environmental exposure through subsistence and recreational fishing and hunting, and through recreation. In addition, Region 4 has been working with a minor- ity representative to improve communication between minority communities and EPA. Region 4 has begun to review existing charters and community relations plans to en- sure that they address environmental justice issues. The Region will continue to pro- vide environmental justice support to other Federal and state agencies. Contacts Tiki Whitfield, (404) 347-5245 Camilla Warren, (404) 347-3016 218 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Facilities Action Item Encourage Native American and Native Hawaiian stakeholder involvement. Region 2 The base closure redevelopment process provides an opportunity to address environ- mental justice concerns by soliciting input regarding future use of the property from populations affected by the closure. In Region 2, two Native American tribes have shown limited interest in property at two closing bases. The Oneida Tribe has ex- pressed early interest in firing ranges at Griffiss Air Force Base, but thereafter ex- pressed no interest. At Plattsburgh Air Force Base, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe sub- mitted a draft reuse plan that appears to conflict with the plan being developed by the local reuse organization. The Tribes have been invited to participate on RABs but have not yet applied for membership. Completed Milestones 10/94 Reuse plan submitted by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. Contact Robert Wing, (212) 637-4332 Region 9 Williams Air Force Base in Region 9 solicited membership for the RAB from the nearby Gila River Indian Community. While members of the tribe have chosen not to participate directly in the RAB, the Air Force has designated a staff member specifi- cally tasked to keep the Tribe informed of the progress of cleanup and transfer of this closing base. The Tribe has identified areas on the base that have special cultural significance, based on archeological investigations at the Midvale Archeological site in 1984, and has indicated an interest in obtaining base property. Completed Milestones 9/94 Invited Gila River Indian community participation in Williams Air Force Base RAB. Contact Greg Baker, (415) 744-1491 EPA Region 9 has been in contact with Dr. Jim Anthony, who represents the Hawaii Lai'ieikawai Association (HLA). The HLA is an umbrella organization that funds and supports various environmental organizations in Hawaii. Dr. Anthony has indicated that his organization's interest in the Pearl Harbor Complex is not only environmental, but is rooted in the Native Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Native Hawaiians have made claims to parcels of land that are of interest to them, including land currently owned by the Navy. The Navy has not been very successful in encouraging local community members to participate on the RAB; Dr. Anthony feels that his group may be able to assist the Navy in getting the Native Hawaiians to participate in the Pearl Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report — 219 ------- Program-Specific Issues Harbor RAB. Region 9 is also continuing to work with prospective TAG applicants towards the issuance of a TAG. Completed Milestones 10/94 Established Pearl Harbor RAB. 1 /95 Contacted Dr. Anthony. Contact Richard Seradarian, (415) 744-2211 In addition, Region 9 is monitoring activities underway to cleanup the Kaho'olawe Island in Hawaii. The island was formerly used by the DOD as a bombing range and was recently returned to State of Hawaii ownership. While legislation authorized $400 million to cleanup the island (which contains unexploded ordnance), little has been appropriated for this effort to date. The island has tremendous cultural significance to the Native Hawaiian population. To ensure Hawaiians' interests are protected during cleanup of the island, Hawaii designated the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission as the state's agent in developing with the Navy a voluntary framework describing how the cleanup will proceed. EPA is monitoring the development of this framework to ensure that key principles of EPA regulations are addressed—most specifically, the stakeholder involvement components. EPA has met with the Navy and Hawaii to discuss the development of the cleanup framework, and has initiated contact with Pro- tect Kaho'olawe Ghana, a Native Hawaiian advocacy group in January 1995. In addi- tion, EPA has discussed the issue with the Western Governor's Association, which may also participate in the development of the regulatory framework. Completed Milestones 11/94 Held meeting with the Navy and Hawaii representatives to discuss cleanup. 1/95 Contacted Native Hawaiian advocacy group. 1/95 Held discussions with Western Governors Association. 3/95 Held meeting with the Navy and Hawaii representatives to discuss cleanup. Contact Julie Anderson, (415) 744-2420 Region 1O Region 10 reported that involving the tribes in the cleanup decision-making and over- sight at the DOE's Hanford site is an ongoing effort under EPA's trust obligations. Special efforts have been made to be responsive to tribal input and the input has shaped the cleanup program at Hanford. The EPA Federal Facilities Branch Hanford Project Office produces a newsletter, issues fact sheets, provides a 1-800 phone line, supports a Hanford Advisory Board (stakeholder/citizen/tribal representation), issues press re- leases, and works with DOE on four information repositories. During the summer of 1994, the EPA Regional Administrator met with the three af- fected tribes: the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, the Confederated 220 — Waste Programs Environmental Justice Accomplishments Report ------- Federal Facilities Tribes and Bands of the Yakima Indian Nation, and the Nez Perce Tribe. The Region 10 Hanford Project Office has established an ongoing dialogue with the three tribes and continues to involve the tribes in cleanup decisions at the Hanford facility. Region 10 currently is working to modify the cleanup agreements and records of decisions. Completed Milestones 6/94-8/94 Met with representatives on affected tribes. Contact Larry Gadbois, (509) 376-9884 <"j.s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1995-386-541/23009 Waste Programs EnvironmentalJustice Accomplishments Report — 221 ------- |