vvEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
(2201A)
EPA/300-R-00-008
November 2000
www.epa.gov/oeca
Office of Environmental Justice
Integrated Federal Interagency
Environmental Justice
Action Agenda
OF Tfl
'<*,
V.
WORKING TOGETHER
TOWARDS
COLLABORATIVE AND
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS
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An Integrated Federal Interagency
Environmental Justice Action Agenda
Preface
Across the nation, communities are working hard to address a range of environmental,
public health, economic and social concerns, known as environmental justice issues. They are
struggling to better understand the complex relationships between the environment, the economy,
and equity. Through the efforts of many governmental and non-governmental organizations,
communities are beginning to fashion strategies that result in healthy and sustainable communities
which are environmentally sound and economically revitalized.
Environmental justice is a complicated issue and the concept is not yet well understood. It
is not a static concept but a dynamic process. However, important lessons are emerging. One such
lesson is the need for greater Federal Agency collaboration. Without focused and concerted efforts
on the part of multiple agencies, singularly directed initiatives, no matter how well intentioned, fall
short in the face of the overwhelming challenges presented by the combined ills of environmental,
social and economic distress. Another lesson is the need to involve all stakeholders in the
development of the solutions. All groups in a community must be mobilized to truly make a
lasting difference. While relatively simple lessons, these concepts are not easily
implementedespecially when distressed communities are burdened with so many needs.
The Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is an attempt to
break through the cycle of despair. It represents an important step in the implementation of
Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income Populations." The Executive Order focuses the attention of Federal
agencies on the human health and environmental conditions in minority and low-income
communities with the goal of achieving environmental justice and fostering non-discrimination in
programs that substantially affect human health or the environment. Under Executive Order
12898, Federal agencies are directed to make achieving environmental justice an integral part of
their missions. The Executive Order makes clear that its provisions also apply to programs
involving Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.
The Action Agenda seeks to build upon creative solutions emanating from communities.
This is an important principle of environmental justice. The Action Agenda seeks to create
partnerships between Federal agencies and other stakeholders to promote comprehensive solutions
to environmental justice issues. The results are inspiringdemonstrating that the forces of
environmental protection, economic development, meaningful public participation, and community
revitalization can work together for the benefit of all.
Charles Lee, Chair
Interagency Working Group
on Environmental Justice
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SECTION I
INTEGRATED FEDERAL INTERAGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACTION AGENDA
GOAL
BACKGROUND
COMPONENTS
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An Integrated Federal Interagency
Environmental Justice Action Agenda
GOAL
The Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda (Action Agenda) seeks to
build dynamic and proactive partnerships among Federal agencies to benefit environmentally and
economically distressed communities. Increased coordination and cooperation among Federal
agencies will enhance identification, mobilization and utilization of Federal resources. Increased
coordination and cooperation also will enable distressed communities to improve environmental
decision-making and more efficiently access and leverage Federal government initiatives. The
Action Agenda will result in improved quality-of-life for minority and/or low-income populations
suffering disproportionate environmental impacts. These populations may include indigenous/tribal
communities.
The Action Agenda intends to accomplish the following:
Ensure that no segment of the population, regardless of race, color, national origin, or
income, suffers disproportionate adverse human or environmental effects, and that all
people live in clean, healthy and sustainable communities.
Create opportunities for building partnerships between specific Federal agencies to promote
comprehensive solutions to environmental justice issues.
Promote models based in an integrated approach to addressing environmental, public health,
economic and social concerns of distressed communities.
Ensure that those who live with environmental decisions (community residents; state, tribal,
and local governments; and the private sector) have meaningful opportunity for public
participation in the decision-making process.
Provide a lasting framework for the integration of environmental justice into the missions of
Federal agencies.
The Action Agenda will include examples of interagency environmental justice projects and
agency-specific initiatives, to be initiated or implemented by various Federal agencies during the
year 2000. The Action Agenda will seek to build the constructive problem-solving capacity of
communities in partnership with state, tribal, and local governments. The Action Agenda is not
intended to replace or supercede existing federal/state/tribal/local government decision-making
processes.
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BACKGROUND
This Action Agenda is consistent with the direction set forth in the President Clinton's Executive
Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, signed February 11, 1994. Executive Order 12898 calls on
17 Federal agencies and White House offices to make environmental justice an integral part of
their mission to the extent practicable and permitted by existing law. It mandates objectives in the
following areas: (1) identify disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental
effects on minority and low-income populations; (2) coordinate research and data collection; (3)
conduct public meetings; and (4) develop interagency model projects. It also establishes an
Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG) composed of representatives from
these agencies and offices to accomplish these objectives.
In June 1999, the IWG began to develop the concept of an Integrated Federal Interagency
Environmental Justice Action Agenda as a way of incorporating environmental justice in all
policies, programs, and activities of Federal agencies. Two environmental justice listening
sessions sponsored by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the EPA
Office of Environmental Justice (the first July 11, 1998, in Los Angeles, CA; and the second
March 6, 1999, in New York City) and a national conference entitled "Environmental Justice:
Strengthening the Bridge Between Economic Development and Sustainable Communities" (June
10-12, 1999, in Hilton Head, SC) provided new energy to Federal interagency efforts to secure a
healthy and sustainable environment for all Americans regardless of race, color, ethnicity, or
economic status. These events provided new opportunities for senior Federal officials to respond
directly to affected communities and for meaningful dialogue among all stakeholders
(communities, businesses, academia, public health organizations, and Federal, state, tribal, and
local governments). These efforts clarified the need to address concurrently disproportionate
environmental impacts, economic and social concerns, and community empowerment.
Experience has demonstrated that efforts to address the environmental problems of minority and/or
low-income communities without meaningful community input will result in failure. An informed
and involved community is a necessary and integral part of the decision-making process in
addressing environmental protection and its integration with the community's economic and social
goals. Experience also has demonstrated that environmental problems suffered by such
communities cannot be fully addressed within the authority of any single governmental entity.
Therefore, within the context of this Action Agenda, "environment" is defined pursuant to National
Environmental Policy Act compliance and encompasses those elements that affect a community's
quality-of-life.
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ACTION AGENDA COMPONENTS
The Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is an ongoing, "living"
framework. The key areas of the Action Agenda are:
Promote Greater Coordination and Cooperation Among Federal Agencies
Continue to support Regional Interagency Task Forces responsible for commitments made
at the CEQ listening sessions in Los Angeles and New York City.
Conduct national Federal Interagency Working Group meetings on a regular basis.
Coordinate communications among Federal agencies on national and regional levels.
Encourage regional Federal interagency strategies or action plans.
Develop new models for Federal interagency collaboration on regional, state, tribal, and
local levels.
Make Government More Accessible and Responsive to Communities
Ensure that core values and principles of the National Environmental Justice Advisory
Council Model Plan for Public Participation are incorporated into Federal environmental
justice activities.
Develop a directory of environmental justice contacts. Initially, for Federal agencies;
future editions to include state and local environmental justice contacts.
Compile a set of web-based environmental justice success stories from Federal agencies.
Conduct interagency listening sessions in local communities throughout the nation.
Conduct ongoing dialogue with state, tribal, and local governments.
Ensure Integration of Environmental Justice in Policies, Programs and Activities of Federal
Agencies.
Promote agency-specific initiatives to benefit environmental justice communities.
Compile summary of notable Federal government environmental justice accomplishments.
Develop and conduct national and regional environmental justice training, which are
agency-specific and interagency-focused.
Promote opportunities for community-based assessment, intervention and prevention
strategies to reduce health disparities, particularly within minority and/or low-income
communities where disproportionate environmental effects may contribute to such
disparities (To be addressed at National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Meeting,
May 23-26, 2000).
Develop strategies to enhance Federal interagency efforts to address needs of
environmentally and economically distressed communities (To be addressed at National
Environmental Justice Advisory Council Meeting, December 11-14, 2000).
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Initiate Environmental Justice Demonstration Projects to Develop Integrated Place-Based
Models for Addressing Community Livability Issues. (A fact sheet on the selected projects
can be found under Section II.)
Demonstration Project Objectives:
Learn how Federal agencies can better collaborate to ensure local problem-solving.
Achieve concrete beneficial results for affected communities.
Ensure meaningful participation of affected communities in decision-making process.
Enhance existing assets within affected communities.
Promote greater partnership with state, tribal and local governments.
Develop a template for integrated community-based solutions to environmental justice
issues.
Document lessons learned to positively impact more communities.
Recommend changes in Federal policy, where appropriate.
Demonstration Project Selection Criteria:
Areas selected are composed of predominantly minority or low-income populations that
face negative environmental, public health, and/or socio-economic effects.
Selected projects should be community-based where there is a strong community interest in
participating in all phases of the project, including its conception, implementation, and
completion.
Communities selected may have existing resources sufficient to sustain the project through
completion and beyond and where the demonstration project will contribute to building
upon and enhancing existing assets within communities.
Communities selected have potentially taken steps to address and/or seriously consider
environmental justice, rural community development and capacity building, brownfield
economic redevelopment, and/or other related issues.
At least two Federal agencies will commit to participating in each demonstration project
initiated; there will be meaningful participation by community-based organizations;
academic institutions; non-governmental organizations; state, tribal, or local governments;
and/or the private sector.
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SECTION II
INTEGRATED FEDERAL INTERAGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE DEMONSTRATION
PROJECTS
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ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE DEMONSTRATION
PROJECTS
1. Greater Boston Urban Resources Partnership: "Connecting Community and
Environment" (Boston, MA/) Lead Agency: EPA
2. Camden - City of Children Partnering for a Better Future (Cam den, NJ)
Lead Agency: HUD
3. New York City Alternative Fuel Vehicle Summit (New York, NY) Lead Agency: DOE
4. Addressing Asthma in Puerto Rico-A Multi-Faceted Partnership for Results (Puerto
Rico) Lead Agency: HHS/HRSA
5. Bridges to Friendship Nurturing Environmental Justice in Southeast and Southwest
Washington, DC (Washington, DC) Lead Agency: DOD (Navy)
6. Re-Genesis: Community Cleanup and Revitalization in Arkwright/Forest Park
(Spartanburg, SC) Lead Agency: EPA
7. Protecting Children's Health and Reducing Lead Exposure through Collaborative
Partnerships (East St. Louis, IL) Lead Agencies: EPA & HUD
8. Bethel New Life Power Park Assessment (Chicago, IL) Lead Agency: DOE
9. New Madrid County Tri-Community Child Health Champion Campaign
(New Madrid County, MO) Lead Agencies: EPA & USDA/NRCS
10. Easing Troubled Waters: Ensuring Safe Drinking Water Sources in Migrant
Farmworker Communities in Colorado (Colorado) Lead Agency: EPA
11. Environmental Justice and Public Participation Through Technology: Defeating the
Digital Divide and Building Community Capacity (Savannah, GA and Fort Belknap
Indian Reservation, MT) Lead Agency: DOE
12. Protecting Community Health and Reducing Toxic Air Exposure through
Collaborative Partnerships in Barrio Logan (San Diego, CA) Lead Agency: EPA
13. Oregon Environmental Justice Initiative (Portland and Rural Communities, Oregon)
Lead Agency: DOJ
14. Metlakatla Indian Community Unified Interagency Environmental Management
Task Force (Ketchikan, AK) Lead Agency: DOD
15. Environmental Justice in Indian Country: A Roundtable to Address Conceptual,
Political and Statutory Issues Lead Agency: DOE
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Greater Boston Urban Resources Partnership:
"Connecting Community and Environment" (Boston, MA)
Project Summary Sheet
July 2000
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Improving Public Health
PROJECT PURPOSE:
The ongoing partnership of 39 community-based
organizations, universities, and federal, state, and
local agencies acts as a liaison between community-
defined needs and available federal resources in
order to respond to critical community issues. The
Partnership will focus on the restoration of Chelsea
Creek, which is the most polluted tributary to the
Boston Harbor; working with local residents to
transform the area into a recreational, educational,
and economic resource; and improving the
environment and public health of predominantly
minority and low-income populations.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
The federal agencies involved are participating
as members of the Greater Boston Urban
Resources Partnership (GB-URP). The Urban
Resources Partnership (URP) Initiative and the
USEPA Urban Environmental Initiative (UEI) are
federally sponsored efforts to promote
community-based planning and implementation
of natural resource projects in selected under-
served urban communities. The Initiative
demonstrates the value of federal agency
partnerships to effectively deliver technical and
financial assistance and other services to the
public, and involves low-income and minority
communities that have traditionally had limited
access to environmental resources. The Project
also demonstrates sustainability in recognition
that many environmental issues may not be
adequately addressed without the combined
resources of federal, state, and local
governments and the capacity building at the
community level, in order to develop long term
solutions from a "bottom up" approach.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The main areas of emphasis will be
Chelsea, Somerville and Boston. In 1999,
Greater Boston's multiracial population
totaled 574,283, accounting for 41 percent
of Chelsea's and 24 percent of East
Boston's populations. The unemployment
rate in Chelsea is 12.1 percent, and it is
11 percent in East Boston. Nearly 51
percent of the residents of Roxbury live at
or below the poverty level.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The activities anticipated will benefit the community
through the following efforts:
Encourage and create opportunities for meaningful
community involvement, serve community needs,
and provide community benefits;
Fostercooperation among residents and government
officials for the enhancement of the urban
environment;
Serve and involve low-income communities and
minorities that have traditionally had little access to
environmental resources in planning and decision
making;
Develop a plan for long-term sustainability and
improvements that addresses community
environmental education and improvement needs;
Host a regional summit on asthma titled
"EnvironmentalJustice Children's Initiative," designed
to develop a strategy for filling the gaps in current
action on asthma and to emphasize prevention of
exposure to known triggers in homes, schools, and
the outside environments; and
Partner with the Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG)
to work with local residents to build public awareness,
promote public access, clean up contaminated land,
and transform the Chelsea Creek into a recreational,
educational, and economic resource for the
communities and region.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
City of Boston will provide office space, equipment,
supplies, and in-kind support.
EPA will provide technical and financial assistance
with Comparative Risk Assessments, the mapping
of environmental hazards, development of public
awareness campaigns, and education on permitting
processes.
HUD will provide experience in reviewing grant
applications.
Massachusetts Department of Environmental
Management will provide expertise in urban tree-
related issues, assist in education activities, and
assist with the application and management of grants.
Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife
Enforcement will provide technical and financial
resources to conduct shoreline surveys.
Tufts University and the Watershed Institute will
provide support with GIS mapping of open space, oil
terminals, and built-up areas along Chelsea Creek.
USDA Forest Service will provide technical and
financial assistance for the management of forests
and related natural resources in urban areas.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS) will provide technical assistance for the
restoration of Chelsea Creekand other improvements
of natural resources within the urban environment,
and financial assistance as appropriate.
Contacts:
Kristi Rea
U.S. EPA Region 1
(617)918-1595
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Camden City of Children Partnering for a Better Future
(Camden, NJ)
July 2000
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Improving Children's Health
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Federal partners will work with local educational
institutions in the distressed City of Camden,
which has a high population of children, to build
the capacity of residents, particularly youth, to
address environmental justice issues by improving
educational, economic development, and health
care opportunities. Activities will include (1)
Asthma and Lead Poisoning Outreach, (2) Student
Air Congress, (3) Rutgers University Masters
Degree Program in Environmental Studies, and
(4) Youth Corp Training.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
The Camden project has been designed to ensure
that the health of city's children in safeguarded for
throughout all stages of their development.
Manufacturing and related land use account for
one-third of Camden's nine square miles, and
brownf ields constitute more than half of all industrial
sites in the city. Abandoned industrial sites contain
chemicals, transformers, and other contaminants
that pose significant threats to human health.
Through partnerships established as a result of
this effort, however, school-age children are being
targeted for the Asthma and Lead Poisoning
Outreach and EMPACT program, high school
dropouts have been targeted for Youth Corps
Training, and the Partnership for Environmental
Technology Education has been directed at
college students. Additionally, opportunities exist
for graduate students through the Rutgers Camden
Campus's environmental sciences master's
degree program.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
Camden is the fifth poorest city in the
United States and has been
characterized as the most devastated
city in America. One out of every three
residents of Camden is living below the
poverty line, the unemployment rate is
36 percent, and the city has a
predominantly minority population.
Almost one-third of the city's population
(31,000 of the total 87,500) is children.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The goal of the Camden project is to create jobs
and to protect youth from exposure to
environmental contaminants. To achieve these
goals, the project will:
1 Sponsor 57 Camden students for a summer youth
environmental education program and create jobs for
youths by offering a 150-hour brownf ields assessment
and cleanup job training program;
1 Improve screening and follow-up care for children at
risk of exposure to lead and asthma-inducing allergens
and train mothers of children with lead poisoning or
asthma on abatement and control strategies;
1 Establish effective government, private, and
community partnerships for environmental
assessment and planning;
1 Complete an inventory of brqwnfields using a
geographic information system in order to provide
"one-stop shopping" - for community groups and
developers on site conditions and reuse potential;
1 Monitor the completion of all site assessments,
make preliminary assessment and site investigation
reports readily available, and prioritize Camden's
brownf ields for redevelopment;
1 Identify, compile, and disseminate information on
lead issues for inner city New Jersey schools with
Region2,the New Jersey Interagency Task Force on
the Prevention of Lead Poisoning, and the University
of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in
collaboration with Ramapo College;
1 Increase public awareness of the hazards of lead
poisoning and asthma and build the capacity of the
community to address the problems of exposure;
1 Develop mechanisms to facilitate the provision of
healthy home environments for all community
members, but especially forchildren at riskf ram lead
poisoning and asthma;
1 Facilitate recommendationsforpolicy that effectively
protect children from lead and asthma hazards; and
1 Work with EPA Region 2, EPA Region 3, and Rutgers
University in Camden to establish a master's degree
in environmental studies.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
DOL will co-sponsorthe summeryouth employment
program.
HHS/Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA) will provide health
intervention for children with asthma.
HHS/Centerfor Disease Control (CDC) will be the
primary agency on lead initiatives.
HUD will take the lead for new brownf ields initiatives
including economic development loans for the city.
OTHER PARTICIPATING PARTNERS
New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection
New Jersey Economic Development Association
New Jersey Housing Mortgage and Finance
Agency
New Jersey Redevelopment Authority
Contacts:
Maureen O'Neill
U.S. EPA Region 2
(212)637-5025
Dr. Margaret Lee
HHS/HRSA
(212)264-2571
Denise Notice-Scott
HUD
(212)264-1401
Dan Mahoney
HHS/CDC
(215)685-2784
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
July 2000
New York City Alternative Fuel Vehicle Summit, New York, NY
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Improving Children's Health
PROJECT PURPOSE:
A partnership of federal agencies, local officials, and
community organizations will conduct a series of
meetings culminating in an Alternative Fuel Vehicle
Summit. The project goal is to accelerate the
conversion of vehicular fleets operating in NYC
metropolitan area to cleaner fuels. This is intended
to result in better air quality for heavily congested
environmental justice neighborhoods.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
As a member of the White House Interagency Task
Force on Environmental Justice Issues in New York
City, the Department of Energy (DOE) met in Spring
of 1999 with the White House Council on
Environmental Quality. Through the Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, DOE agreed to
lead the efforts of the federal government and
community representatives in organizing an
alternative fuels summit, focusing on accelerating
the conversion to cleaner fuels of fleets operating in
the New York City metropolitan area. During the
Summerofl 999, DOEformed a planning committee
of partners to determine the content of the summit on
alternative fuels.
The existence of a planning committee on this issue
has allowed the city to talk to community groups
about current projects on alternative fuels and has
given the community groups the opportunity to
express their concerns about poor air quality and the
need to do more. The planning committee has given
the federal participating agencies the ability to rally
togetherto try to change the bus purchasing plans of
the Metropolitan Transit Authority.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The communities involved with this
project are located in heavily
congested environmental justice
neighborhoods areas of Manhattan,
the Bronx, and Brooklyn which have
been affected by high concentrations
of diesel burning vehicular traffic.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The planning committee recommended holding a
design charette to gather additional neighborhood
and local and state government input on the issue
of alternative fuels. Following that meeting, the
planning'committee put together an action plan for
2000 and 2001 based on input from participants
and included the following tasks:
1 Hosting neighborhood meetings to encourage local
heavy-duty fleets to switch to alternative fuels;
'Sponsoring a city workshop on alternative fuel school
buses;
1 Sponsoring an airport meeting to encourage more
fleets to use alternative fuels;
1 Assisting with an alternative fuels workshop for local
governments;
1 Holding an alternative fuels summit to showcase
successes and build on this work to lead to greater
penetration of alternative fuel vehicles in heavy-duty
niche markets located in designated environmental
justice neighborhoods; and
1 Identifying heavy-duty transportation fleets and
establishing contacts or conducting outreach to
representatives in order to get their participation in
planned meetings.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
1 DOE will serve as the project lead and co-coordinator
of the Interagency task Force on Environmental
Justice in New York City that supports the AFV
project. DOE will also provide project coordination at
the Headquarters level, program resources and
technical assistance through the Office of Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and logistical
and in-kind support to projects activities.
1 DOI, working closely with local officials, community
organizations and other federal agencies, will help
organize meetings.
1GSA will help develop markets.
1 HUD will provide logistical and facilitation support.
New York City Department of Transportation will
serve as a contributing member to the summit
PlanningCommitteeandthe Interagency Task Force
on Environmental Justice in New York City that
supports the AFV project; will provide assistance in
organizingcommunity-based informational meetings;
will assist by providing contacts with local vendors,
equipment manufacturers and utility marketing
personnel; will provide information concerning
funding opportunities; and will offer assistance in
developing approaches to develop model projects.
The following partners will serve as contributing
members to the summit Planning Committee, be
responsible for identifying heavy-duty transportation
fleet operating within their designated community
area, establish contacts or conduct outreach to
representatives of targeted fleets to getthem involved
in project activities, and provide meeting locations,
as required:
Lower Washington Heights Association
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance
The Point Community Development Corporation
United Puerto Rican Organization of Sunset Park
West Harlem Environmental Action
Contacts:
Marcy Rood
DOE
(202)586-8161
Omar Friella
Environmental Justice Alliance
(212)239-8882
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
July 2000
Addressing Asthma in Puerto Ricoa Multifaceted
Partnership for Results
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Improving Children's Health
PROJECT PURPOSE:
A partnership of federal agencies, local health
departments, community groups, foundations, and
universities will seek local community input to gain a
better understanding of what accounts for the high
prevalence of asthma in Puerto Rico. The project will
result in a geographic action plan that maximizes
asthma prevention and augments current interagency
efforts to develop a community asthma intervention
program for children in Puerto Rico's low-income,
under-served populations.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
A study conducted by the Puerto Rico Department of
Health (in collaboration with ATSDR) found that 30
percent of Latino Puerto Rican children aged 13-14
and more than 40 percent of children aged 6-7 had
been diagnosed with asthma, a serious and
sometimes life-threatening respiratory condition. This
project willtakeacollaborativeapproachto implement
acomprehensivestrategytoimprovechildren'shealth
by reducing the incidences of asthma. To this end,
an asthma summit led by H RSA and cosponsored by
EPA, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and Roberts Wood Johnson
Foundation is being convened in New York City May
31 to June 1, 2000 to develop geographical action
plans. The summit covers New York, New Jersey,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A special
breakout session on Puerto Rico will be held.
Professional health providers and community activists
will hold a dialogue to facilitate multiagency and
community efforts toward next steps. This summit
will complement and augment efforts currently
underway by the sponsoring partners to develop a
community asthma intervention program for Puerto
Rico.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The main population that this effort is
intended to address is children in Puerto
Rico. In the United States, Latinos are
disproportionately impacted by asthma.
Although within the Latino population there
are variations in asthma rates depending on
an individual's national heritage, a study
conducted by the Puerto Rico Department
of Health (in collaboration with HHS/CDC
and HHS/ATSDR) found that asthma was
fairly prevalent among children living in the
Puerto Rico.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The activities anticipated will benefit the community
through the following efforts:
Facilitate participation in the Puerto Rico breakout
session at the asthma summit;
Develop a Puerto Rico Action Plan to address asthma;
Build upon existing scientific research and
community-based work on asthma as well as explore
financial and technical partnerships in order to
advance in new directions; and
Develop and implement a community asthma
intervention program for Puerto Rico to reduce the
incidence of asthma in children.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS)/Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry (ATSDR) will assist in presenting
findings from asthma summit to community groups
in Puerto Rico.
DHHS/Health Resource Services Administration
(HRSA) will sponsor the asthma summit.
EPA will co-sponsor the asthma summit.
Mt. Sinai Hospital will host the asthma summit and
offer technical assistance.
The following partners will provide support to this
initiative when the follow-up asthma conference is
held
in Puerto Rico:
Puerto Rico Community Groups
Puerto Rico Department of Health
Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board
Puerto Rico Lung Association
University of Puerto Rico
OTHER PARTICIPATING PARTNERS
DHHS/Health Care Finance Administration
(HCFA)
HUD
NIH
Contacts:
HHS/ATSDR
Dr. Henry Falk
(212)264-2571
Maureen O'Neill
U.S. EPA Region 2
(212)637-5025
Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Santana
Pediatric Pulmonary Clinic
(787) 754-8500
HCFA
(212)264-3772
Dr. Luz Claudio
Mt. Sinai Hospital
(212)241-7625
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Bridges to Friendship: Nurturing Environmental Justice in
Southeast and Southwest Washington, D.C.
July 2000
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Economic Development
PROJECT PURPOSE:
The well-established Bridges to Friendship
Partnership will focus on environmental justice
concerns related to the revitalization of Southeast
and Southwest Washington, D.C. neighborhoods
next to the Washington Navy Yard. Efforts will
center around turning environmental liabilities into
opportunities by better orchestrating job training
and employmentand entrepreneurial opportunities,
identification of community assets, and strategies
to address gentrification and community
displacement.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
Bridges to Friendship is a community-based,
sustainable development partnership of community
organizations, businesses, D.C. government and
federal government organizations that have come
together to contribute to the revitalization of the
southern quadrants of Washington, D.C. This
alliance is focused on enhancing the quality of life
and preserving the natural and cultural heritage of
the area by promoting economic development and
environmental protection. In particular, the
partnership strives to use existing resources in new
ways and support existing community efforts with
new allies.
Environmental justice, capacity building, and
brownfields redevelopment are driving forces behind
the project since it began in response to community
concerns related to the Anacostia River, federal
cleanups of contaminated sites, and contamination
of other sites in the community.
Much of the value added by the partnership comes
through capacity building, such as linking youth
outreach and job training resources to providers at
all levels to create employment opportunities for
area residents.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The Bridges to Friendship area
includes Southeast and Southwest
Washington, D.C., where the
Washington Navy Yard is located.
This area includes communities
dominated by public and low-income
housing and is predominantly African
American.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY?
This project will benefit the Washington, D.C.
community through the following efforts:
Increase the variety, quality, and quantity of job
training and career development opportunities for
local residents;
Increase the number of quality businesses operating
in Southeast and Southwest Washington, D.C. or
owned by local residents. Bridges to Friendship will
target three businessesfor start-up in prrelocation to
Southeast/Southwest D.C. and will co-sponsor
business development seminars;
Increase the availability of quality educational,
employment, and recreational opportunities foryouth
living in the target area;
Deliver career readiness seminars in public housing
and other community locations, foster the
development of additional internship programs, and
support community youth activities;
Create a highly effective, efficient, and sustainable
management infrastructure; and
Ensure that other Bridges to Friendship goals and
area planning efforts in general (zoning, housing,
etc.) incorporate community vision and needs.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
Alice Hamilton Occupational Health Center will
provide environmental and occupational Health &
Safety training and Life Skills, Job Readiness and
Intellectual Enrichment training, and support for
employer interest and job placement.
Covenant House Washington will provide youth
outreach and job readiness assistance, internship
and leadership development for youth, and partner
with the Navy to provide Day Care provider on-the-
job training.
DOE will conduct energy education and job training
programs, provide alternative fuel vehicle
maintenance, and supply additional resources
through its brightfields and sustainability programs.
DOI will provide assistance and expertise in design,
development, and implementation of green space
beautification and landscaping projects; youth and
job training/mentoring programs; and work with the
D.C. metro bus system to prevent storm water run-
off from polluting waterways.
DOL will provide expertise in training and labor
exchange activities, advise partners in the workforce
development system, and facilitate coordination of
DOL programs and projects.
DOT will conduct community outreach through its
transportation planning and assistance programs,
and provide relevant job training opportunities.
District of Columbia Department of Employment
Services will provide management infrastructure
support, job training resources and employment
networks.
Ellen Wilson Community Development
Corporation will prepare area low-income residents
for employment opportunities associated with the
redevelopment of the commercial corridor and
residential neighborhood south of the SE-SW
Freeway.
EPA will provide management infrastructure support,
leverage its commitment and extensive resources
devoted to the Anacostia Ecosystem Initiative, ensure
that environmental concerns and safeguards are
integrated into partnership efforts, provide Superfund
Job Training Initiative and community involvement
expertise and resources, and provide deconstruction
expertise and resources.
Friendship House Association will provide
commun ity resou rces, access to residents, and social,
educational, training, and economic development
services.
GSA will provide opportunities through the Small
and Minqrity(8A) Business program, provide
opportunities for facility deconstruction, and provide
facilities for meetings and instruction.
HUD will provide community building, facilitation and
technical assistance and enhance community
revitalization through continued funding of locally
responsive housing and community development
programs.
USDA, Forest Service will utilize existing expertise
in providing consultant service in promoting urban
reforestation through the Urban and Community
Forestry Program.
US Navy, Naval District Washington will support
the management infrastructure of the partnership;
actively develop opportunities for local residents to
train in marketable job skills; and identify job
opportunities for community members at Navy Yard
businesses.
Contacts:
David Ouderkirk
Bridges to Friendship, Naval District Washington
(202) 442-4020
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Cleanup and Revitalization through Collaborative Partnerships,
Arkwright and Forest Park Community (Spartanburg, SC)
July 2000 Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Economic Development
PROJECT PURPOSE:
The project will assist Re-Genesis, a community
based organization in the Arkwright/Forest Park
area of Spartanburg, South Carolina, in involving a
broad variety of stakeholders to foster identification,
inventory, assessment, cleanup and redevelopment
of contaminated sites. The project will also help
build a community-based partnership to include
local and state agencies in a dynamic process of
stakeholder education, structured dialogues, and
planning charettes to create short- and long-term
development strategies.
The project is designed to involve a variety of
stakeholders working togetherto foster identification,
inventory, assessment, cleanup, and redevelopment
in the Arkwright/Forest Park area of Spartanburg,
South Carolina. Through a collaborative effort, the
groups willbe able to avoid redundancy and maximize
the use of private monies and public grant dollars to
best help this environmental justice community.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
The target community is within a one-quarter-mile
radius of two Superfund sites. Other local areas of
concern include an abandoned textile mill, an
operating chemical plant, two dumps, and several
suspected illegal disposal areas. These properties
have brought concerns about public safety, blight,
health, and the environmentforsometime. Thearea
has not enjoyed any substantial commercial
development for years, and the vast majority of
normal retail needs are not within close proximity.
Re-Genesis, an active, community-based group with
1,400 members, has taken the lead in establishing
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The City of Spartanburg, South Carolina
has a population of 43,687.
Approximately 53 percent of the
population is white and 46 percent is
African American. The targeted area
Arkwright/Forest Park on the south side of
the cityhas a 96 percent African
American population.
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partnerships to address local environmental and
health issues as well as revitalization. Although
these partnershipsfocused initially on cleanup issues
(two abandoned toxic sites have been
environmentally assessed since 1998 and one site
has undergone a $1 million voluntary cleanup),
current plans represent renewed hopes for
revitalization. The county has recently applied a
$20,000 environmental justice grant and a $100,000
EPASuperfund Redevelopment Initiative grant, and
plans to apply for a DOE Bright Fields grant. A recent
forum on "Responsive Revitalization" was held with
more than 60 diverse stakeholders in attendance.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
Expected benefits to the community include
creation of housing, a technology center, a
southeastern regional clinic, and a job training
center. The Arkwright and Forest Park
Community partnership will benefit as the result of
activities which will:
1 Educate stakeholders in the fundamentals and
impacts of brownf ields cleanup and redevelopment;
1 Build localcommitmentandpartnershipsforbeneficial
community redevelopment;
1 Educate the partnership on sustainable reuse tools
and cleanup funding mechanisms;
'Lay the foundation for re-examining future
development and growth;
1 Facilitate job training efforts;
1 Continue developing recommendations for a
revitalization process through structured dialogues
and facilitated charettes;
1 Host a series of meetings with community,
developers, and state and federal representatives to
review a proposed development plan for the area;
and
1 Host meetings with the community, state and DOT to
develop a transportation plan for the area.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
DOT will partner with the State of South Carolina to
determine the impact on the Arkwright community of
a proposed connector between State Highway 295
and either State Highway 221 or Collins Avenue.
The value of this connector to the community will be
to provide access to the community for future
commercial development.
EPA will offer technical information in relation to
development of environmentally compromised
properties.
HUD will partner with the county through the
community's consultant to develop one or more
housing subdivisions.
OTHER PARTICIPATING PARTNERS
City of Spartanburg
County of Spartanburg (Community and
Economic Development Division, Transportation
Planning)
First Federal Bank
First South Bank
Re-Genesis
South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control
South Carolina Economic Development
Administration
Spartanburg Development Council
University of South Carolina
Vigindustries/lnternational Minerals and
Chemical Corporation
Wachovia Bank
Contacts:
Jewell Harper
U.S. EPA Region 4
(404) 562-8629
Rosalind Brown
U.S. EPA Region 4
(404) 562-8633
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Protecting Children's Health and Reducing Lead Exposure through
Collaborative Partnerships (East St. Louis, IL)
July 2000
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Improving Children's Health
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Community groups, local hospitals, federal, state
and local agencies in East St. Louis and St. Clair
County willcollaboratetoimplementacomprehensive
strategy to improve children's health by reducing
lead poisoning. The project will address both lead
based paint hazards and uncontrolled lead releases
to surface soil. Removal actions, where necessary,
will promote opportunities for redevelopment in
neighborhoods and eliminate illegal dumping.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
The St. Clair County region of Illinois is an area that
is littered with idled smelters, junkyards, and defunct
industry. It has numerous abandoned, contaminated
lots that serve as play areas for the communities'
youth and as illegal dumping havens. This project
targets East St. Louis and other communities in St.
Clair County, Illinois, including Brooklyn, Alorton,
Centerville, and Washington Park. Air pollution has
been a major problem due to the fact that St. Louis
Metropolitan Area exceeds EPA's limit on the amount
of smog in the air. In addition, when children living
in East St. Louis were tested for lead poisoning,
there were four times as many children with lead
poisoning than in the surrounding communities, and
the rate of lead poisoning wasfourtimes higherthan
the national average.
Another recurring and severe problem in the region
is flooding. The drainage systems currently in place
were originally constructed to drain agricultural land,
not to convey runoff from stormwater in residential
and urbanizing areas. The region has a combined
sewer and stormwater system that is deteriorating.
Impermeable surfaces (e.g., roads and parking lots)
have increased the volume of water running into
streams and rivers, and pollution from lead, oil,
gasoline, and other products on these surfaces is
carried directly into local water bodies. As wetlands
and forested areas are paved, flooding continues to
become even more severe.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
Sixty-five percent of the population
of East St. Louis is low-income
compared with a state average of
27 percent, and 98.6 percent of the
population is minority compared to
a state average of 25 percent. The
surrounding communities
(Brooklyn, Alorton, Centerville, and
Washington Park) have similar
demographics.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
This project will take a collaborative approach to
implement a comprehensive strategy to improve
children's health by reducing lead poisoning. It will
address both lead-based paint and uncontrolled
lead releases to surface soil. East St. Louis will
benefit from the following activities:
1 Conducting blood lead screening of children 0-12
years old and pregnant mothers;
1 Providing appropriate medical care service referrals
for cases of high lead blood content;
1 Conducting lead-based paint hazard control
throughout the county;
1 Assessing uncontrolled lead releases to surface soil
and homes with lead hazards;
1 Conducting housing rehabilitation along with
landscaping efforts and weatherization;
1 Conducting site assessments on abandoned lots
and following up with removal actions and demolition
activities when necessary;
1 Assisting in building community capacity to recognize
lead hazards and ways to reduce the threats to
children's health as well as avenues to better
communication and environmental decision-making;
1 Promoting a healthy environment for the
environmental justicecommunitybyofferingagreater
avenue for residents to become more involved in
environmental issues in their community; and
1 Hosting public meetings and availability sessions
and distribute a quarterly newsletter to discuss the
progress and next steps of the project.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
1 Army Corps of Engineers will assist with project
coordination, technical assistance and conduct site
assessments at abandoned lots when necessary.
> East-West Gateway Coordinating Council will
conduct lead soil sampling in approximately 30
residential yards in the city. The Council will work
with homeownersto implement landscaping activities.
EPA has provided a $75,000 grant to conduct lead
soil sampling in East St. Louis near many defunct,
bankrupt industrial areas. EPA will continue to
provide technical assistance, potentially fund
community education/awareness and facilitate the
project collaboration.
East St. Louis Community Development Block
Grant Office will assist in providing the $10,000
Home Repair Grants to homes identified through the
partnership. The office will also provide prevention,
education and awareness assistance.
E. Side Local Health District will assist in the blood
lead screening, providing appropriate medical care
referrals, and conducting prevention and education/
awareness information workshops and distributing
materials throughout the community.
HUD has provided a $2.8 million dollar grant to St.
Clair County through their Lead Hazard Control
Program and will continue to provide technical
assistance and lessons learned from other grantees
with similar challenges.
Illinois Department of Public Health will continue
to implement the US EPA grant to conduct lead soil
sampling to characterize the uncontrolled releases
of lead in the soil. Historical blood lead data will be
mapped and a temporal evaluation of blood lead
trends in the area will be performed. The Department
will also continue to support/facilitate lead blood
screening.
Neighbors United for Progress will provide lead-
based paint assessments and assist with community
outreach and education.
St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants
Department is the recipient of the HUD Lead Based
Paint Hazard Control grant and will provide funding
to several community organizations and contractors
to implement the blood lead screening, case
management, assessment, prevention/education,
lead hazard control and landscaping activities.
St. Mary's Hospital Corporate Health Center will
provide blood lead screening, case management,
prevention/awareness and education assistance.
Contacts:
Noemi Emeric
U.S. EPA Region 5
(312)886-0995
Richard Mark
St. Mary's Hospital
(618)482-7025
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Bethel New Life PEM Fuel Cell Deployment in a "Green"
Building and Power Park Assessment (Chicago, IL)
July 2000
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Economic Development
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Federal partners will work to assist Bethel New Life,
a faith-based community development corporation
located in the West Garfield section of Chicago,
Illinois, tofulfillitsvision of turningthe neighborhood's
environmental liabilities into assets. The project will
design, develop, install, field test, and monitor
performance of a 20-kW Proton Exchange
Membrane (PEM) fuel cell power system as part of
the "Lake/Pulaski Commercial Center" building
development. Bethel is developing the building as
a "green," energy-efficient, affordable, commercial
retail center. The deployment of a PEM fuel cell
system in a mixed-use commercial building will be
on the leading edge of demonstrations of advanced
PEM fuel cell technology in building applications.
The fuel cell power system will provide approximately
27 percent of the estimated 75-kW peak power
requirement of the building. Waste heat from the
fuel cell will also be used to supplement the
building's heating and/or hot water requirements.
The project will also conduct a feasibility study to
determine the opportunities for incorporating energy-
efficient technologies. This will enable the design
and construction of a mixed-use development that
takes advantage of existing rail links and converts
an abandoned industrial area into a revitalized
economic center to provide much needed housing,
jobs, and commercial and industrial development.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
INVOLVED?
Bethel New Life, a faith-based community
development corporation in Chicago, Illinois, is
seeking to demonstrate the significant benefits that
green development and distributed energy
resources can provide in addressing the need for
economic redevelopment and critical infrastructure
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The target community -the West Garfield Park
section of Chicago 4s a mostly African-
American community (98 percent) with 40
percent of the residents living on incomes below
the poverty level. The proposed mixed-use
development would provide this community with
a convenient location for resources such as a
child development center, a medical clinic, a
bank, a drug store, and other commercial
spaces. The community also anticipates the
availability of Welfare to Work training and
employment through building and landscaping
contractors at the site.
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issues, such as electricity reliability, air quality, and
transportation. By working with the Department of
Energy (DOE) and federal, state, local, and private
and nonprofit partners, Bethel New Life hopes to
redevelop an area in the West Garfield Park
community of Chicago along Lake Street and Lake
Pulaski into a "power park," which utilizes energy-
efficiency technologies. A feasibility study for the
proposed project will examine the incorporation of
distributed energy resources (including on-site
power generation) and whether development as a
power park would address summer air cooling
needs without further taxing the city's power grid or
generation capacity.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY?
Bethel New Life's objective is to use the existing rail
system links and convert a devastated abandoned
industrial area into a revitalized economic center
that provides much needed housing, jobs,
commercial, and industrial redevelopment. The
community will benefit from the following tasks
associated with the project:
1 Demonstrate the excellent energy-efficiency and
environmental benefits of PEM fuel cells used in
building applications;
1 Assess the energy opportunities that could enable
the design and construction of a mixed-use
development in the target area;
1 Conduct a feasibility study to look at how the Bethel
New Life property could benefit from its development
as a "power park" (in the long term, this study could
be used to attract government grants and private
development money for investment in this site);
and
1 Redevelop the area to include a commercial center
atamajortransit stop thatwill provide the surrounding
community with comfortable access to the local rail
line.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
Argonne National Laboratory will provide overall
project coordination, technical assistance and
program resources to project development, use of
research facilities, and project planning and
development assistance.
Bethel New Life, Inc., will co-coordinate project
activities and team development, contribute staff
and resources, plan and organize building
development project construction phases,
collaborate with other partners to assemble project
teams, and pursue grant funding and other financial
instruments.
City of Chicago Department of Environment will
provide support to demonstrate the use of
photovoltaics on the roof construction.
Commonwealth Edison will provide project funding
support through the City of Chicago's Department of
the Environment.
DOE will serve as the project lead, provide technical
assistance, and program support through the Office
of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and
solicit grant proposals.
Farr Associates will serve as the building architect
and as a member of the project development team.
HUD will provide Bethel New Life with an Enterprise
Zone grant award.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Community
Affairs will demonstrate the use of photovoltaics on
the development's roof construction and assist
Bethel New Life in assembling project teams.
Illinois Energy Office will prepare and submit
proposals to provide for the design, development,
installation,fieldtesting, and performance monitoring
of fuel cell power system to support the project's
commercial center.
Institute of Gas Technology will contribute to the
design and development of the fuel cells to be
employed in the project and serve as a development
team member.
Mantaky Realty Group will provide assistance in
land development and use and serve as a
development team member.
Mosaic Energy will serve as a member of the
project development team.
Contacts:
Martin Kurtovich
DOE
(202)586-5196
Mary Nelson
Bethel New Life, Inc.
(773) 473-7870
Norm Peterson
National Laboratory
(630) 252-7229
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
July 2000
New Madrid County Tri-Community Child Health
Champion Campaign (New Madrid County, MO)
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Improving Children's Health
PROJECT PURPOSE:
An EPA-USDA partnership works with state and
local agencies to address three areas that impact
children's health: lead, asthma/allergies, and water
quality. The projects came about when three rural
towns in New Madrid County, Missouri, saw the
potential benefits of working together. A subsequent
request to federal and state agencies for assistance
resulted in this project. While community education
and capacity building is an ongoing part of this
project, efforts will include proactive actions such
as planting trees to decrease dust contaminants
and improving stormwater drainage.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
EPA Region 7 and the Natural Resource
Conservation Service Midwest Region have
fostered partnerships based on their commitment
to ensure that all communities receive the benefits
of their programs and that no portion of the population
be disproportionately impacted in a negative way
by their policies, programs, and procedures. The
first area in which these two organizations
concentrated their efforts was in three small towns
located in the bootheel of Missouri. The project
began by identifying environmental hazards that
might place community members (with an emphasis
on children) at a health risk. Data were also
collected to evaluate whether there was
disproportionate risk in these three communities
compared to the rest of the state to consider
environmental justice.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The City of Lilbourn, City of Howardville,
and Village of North Lilbourn are rural
agricultural communities located in the
bootheel region of Missouri,
approximately 175 miles south of St.
Louis. These towns do not have the types
of businesses or industry established that
might make them sustainable, and they
are characterized by gross poverty and
substandard housing conditions. This
project will benefit the community by
providing a safer environment for
children, greater community awareness
regarding health hazard prevention, and
a greater capacity to address needs and
concerns on a local level.
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The resulting New Madrid County Tri-Community
(NMCTC) Child Health Champion Campaign is a
community-led initiative with a variety of local and
regional partners. Community development,
leadership, and capacity-building skills are integral
parts of this project and essential to the sustainability
of any efforts undertaken. Data collection,
communication, and coordination by allof the partners
resulted in the completion of an Action Plan in 1999.
Implementation of this plan is expected to take place
beginning in 2000 and continuing through 2001.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The activities anticipated under the action plan will
benefit the community through the following efforts:
1 Screening/testing of children in the target communities
for lead poisoning;
1 Providing appropriate medical care service referrals
for cases of high lead blood content;
1 Providing education and awareness regarding the
environmental health hazards of chemical products,
tobacco smoke, home insect allergens, and field and
agricultural dust;
1 Planting evergreens, and long-lived trees and shrubs
in areas around schools and children's playgrounds
to decrease dust contaminants;
1 Providing educational materials and training
workshops concerning safe drinking water, stagnant
water, water sampling and also the signs/symptoms
of the ill health effects due to contaminated water;
1 Building capacity in the community to recognize
environmental hazards and ways to reduce those
threats in drinking water, stormwater drainage, and
stagnant water;
1 Improving stormwater drainage in the targeted
communities;
1 Taking drinking water samples and constructing a
template for a drinking water consumer confidence
report; and
1 Facilitating the participation of community members
in technical training provided by the state.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
1 Bootheel Lead Nurses will provide health screening
and information and referral services.
1 Delta Area Economic Development Corporation
will conduct educational workshops.
1 EPA Region 7 will provide financial, compliance,
andtechnical assistance in the areasof lead, asthma/
allergies, and water quality.
Great RiversAlliance of Natural Resource Districts
will assist with project coordination and technical
assistance.
Headstart will support/facilitate health screening.
Lincoln University Cooperative Extension will
provide technical assistance, information, and referral
services.
Missouri Department of Conservation will provide
technical assistance with a design topography plan
to address blowing dust and pesticides.
Missouri Department of Natural Resources will
provide technical and drinking water compliance
assistance as well as provide operator certification
training.
Missouri Department of Public Health will provide
technical assistance and conduct health education
and information workshops.
NewMadrid County Health Department will provide
health screenings and assistance referrals.
NMCTC Community Team will assist with project
coordination, communication efforts, and education.
USDA/Natural Resource Conservation Service
(NRCS) will provide technical assistance for
excavating drainage ditches, surveying, and
designing a stormwater drainage system. They will
also provide leadership, grant writing, and
managementtraining.
Contacts:
Althea Moses
U.S. EPA Region 7
(913)551-7649
Great Rivers Alliance of Natural Resource Districts
(314)830-3790
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Easing Troubled Waters: Ensuring Safe Drinking Water Sources in
Migrant Farm Worker Communities in Colorado
July 2000
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Ensuring Safe Drinking Water
PROJECT PURPOSE:
A new partnership has been created among
environmental and community groups, educational
institutions, and government agencies to identify
the location and assess the safety of drinking water
sources for Colorado migrant farm worker camps.
The network created by these partnerships will be
used to more effectively deliver human health and
environmental services in the future.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
Although many health problems found in the general
population also affect migrant farm workers, in many
cases the frequency or intensity of the problem is
greater within the migrant population than in the
population at large. Migrant farm workers in the
United States represent a diverse group of people.
About 85 percent are from minority groups
Hispanics (65 percent), African Americans,
Jamaicans, Haitians, Laotians, and Thais. While
contributions made by migrant farm workers are
essential to the U.S. economy, an estimated 61
percent of farm workers live in poverty. Additionally,
migrant farm workers are often found to be living
with a number of health problems related to their
working environments, yet fewer than 20 percent
are served by accessible health care centers.
A 1997 report issued by the U.S. Department of
Labor (DOL) found that more than 300,000 workers
a year are poisoned by pesticides. A variety of
contaminants may affect drinking water sources in
these areas, including organophosphates and other
pesticides from agricultural runoff, chemicals from
nearby industrial facilities, and lead and biological
contaminants resulting from structural sources
such as defective plumbing and sewer lines. In
addition to the direct exposure facing workers,
children may also be affected. They come into
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
This project will address the
drinking water concerns of migrant
farm workers in various parts of
Colorado.
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contact with pesticides through residue from their
parents' clothing, dust tracked into their homes,
contaminated soil in areas where they play, food
brought directly from the fields to the table, and
contaminated well water.
Federal agencies, like the USEPA, are committed
to bringing together the expertise, resources, and
attention needed to address the human health risks
facing this disenfranchised population.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The community will benefit through the following
efforts:
1 Developing geographic information system (GIS)
maps of migrant farm worker camps and water
sources;
1 Assessing available water quality data for these
camps;
1 Conducting additional water testing for identified
sites;
1 Recommendingchangestofederal policies regarding
testing of migrant worker water sources as a result of
data analysis and interagency/worker dialogue;
1 Developing an interagency and community plan to
address communication and education needs;
1 Developing a database to track issues such as
migrant farm worker camp locations, water source
location and types of contamination, and the number
of workers at specific sites to ensure the provision of
safe drinking water; and
1 Buildingasustainablesupportnetworkto implement
policy and communication changes.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
Colorado Department of Labor will assist with
information for database development and help
assess potential programmaticand/orpolicychanges
regarding worker camps.
Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment will assist with information fordatabase
development, clarify drinking water regulations and
inspection process for Colorado, and help assess
potential programmatic and/or policy changes
regarding regulation of drinking water sources in
worker camps.
Colorado State UniversityHigh Plains
Intermountain Centerfor Agricultural Health and
Safety will assist with information for database
development.
Cooperative Extension Service will assist with
database development and help develop and
implement a communication plan.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
will assist with providing information for database
development.
DOL currently performs inspections to enforce the
Migrant Seasonal Protection Act to ensure workers
receive promised wages, transportation, and housing.
They willalso be assisting with database development
related to these inspections, including camp location
and, potentially, water quality information.
EPA Region Swill facilitate dialogue among partners
and help defineneeded programmatic/policy changes.
Region 8 will provide outreach support and legal and
technical expertise.
National Centerfor Farmworker Health will provide
information on relevant studies.
Plan de Salud del Valle (Salud Family Health
Center) will assist with database development and
help with additional water sampling and help assess
potential programmatic and/or policy changes
regarding farm worker camps.
Contacts:
JeanBelille
U.S. EPA Region 8
(303)312-6556
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Environmental Justice and Public Participation Through Technology:
Defeating the Digital Divide and Building Community Capacity
(Savannah, GA and Fort Belknap, MT)
July 2000
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Community Education and Capacity Building
PROJECT PURPOSE:
This partnership of federal, tribal, and local agencies,
community organizations, and historically black
colleges and universities will workto help communities
gain access to information technology and gain
capacity to participate in environmental decision
making. Federal agencies will provide both
computers and technical assistance to establish
community technology centers. The project will
targettwocommunities:thefirst in Savannah, Georgia
and the second at the Fort Belknap Indian
Reservation. These willserve as modelsforeventual
replication by other communities and tribes. Along
with federal agencies, Howard University will provide
training and ongoing technical support.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
In 1992, the EPA chartered the Federal Facilities
Environmental Restoration Dialogue Committee
(FFERDC) to examine issues surrounding
environmental cleanup at federal facilities. The
committee made a series of recommendations that
were designed to improve environmental cleanup
decision making at federal facilities. One such
recommendation stated that federal, state, tribal,
and local governments need to make special efforts
to consult with groups that have been commonly
excluded from this process, such as minority, low-
income, rural and inner-city residents, and Native
American communities. The committee furtherstated
that these groups need assistance to expand and
develop their capacities where needed to participate
in cleanup decision-making processes.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The project will target two communities: the
first in Savannah, Georgia, and the second at
the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in
Montana. A partnership of federal, tribal, and
local agencies, community organizations, and
historically black colleges and universities will
workto help these communities gain access
to information technology and gain capacity to
participate in environmental decision making.
These activities will serve as models for
eventual replication by other communities and
tribes.
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The development of community technology centers
to provide access to computers and the Internet
for these underrepresented groups is one way to
empowerthem in environmental decision-making
processes. These technology centers will enable
thetargetcommunitiesto participate in information
exchanges and policy-formation dialogues. The
proposed community technology center three-
year project will allow federal and nonfederal
partners to combine resources to develop model
community technology centers in an environmental
justice community and a Native American
community that will have applicability across similar
stakeholder communities.
WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The objective of this effort is to help targeted
communities gain access to computers and the
Internet in order to expand and develop capacity to
participate in environmental decision making. Specific
activities associated with this objective which will
benefit the community are as follows:
1 Create community technology centers to give
communities access to federal agencies and a wide
range of environmental information on the Internet;
1 Conduct training programs that include computer-
based and Internet research and tools; toxic release,
chemical, and risk assessment information; and
community economics;
1 Supervise community use of the training and tools
received;
'Create and implement youth development programs;
'Provide economic development tools,
entrepreneurship training, and other resources such
as proposal writing and grant management to make
the technology centers self-sufficient;
1 Provide continuous technical assistance from
historically black colleges and universities and other
sources via the Internet and e-mail;
1 Develop a technical assistance Web site (TechNet)
and listserve;
1 Conduct a research meeting with the targeted
communities and others to discuss experiences,
lessons learned, and implications for the future; and
1 Conduct a research project to evaluate the results
and examine the implications for program
modification and replication.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
DOE Office of Intergovernmental and Public
Accountability will provide surplus computers,
environmental training, and public participation
assistance.
EPA will provide surplus computers and
environmental training.
Urban Environment Institute will provide training
and ongoing technical support.
OTHER PARTICIPATING PARTNERS
These partners will provide support as appropriate
to this technology project:
AOL
Center for Environmental Justice
City of Savannah
Fort Belknap Indian Community Council
International Institute For Indigenous Resource
Management
National Urban Internet
Contacts:
Dr. Mildred McClain
Citizens for Environmental Justice
(912)233-0907
John Rosenthal
Urban Environment Institute
(703) 922-7653
Mervyn Tano
International Institute for Indigenous
Resource Management
(303) 733-0481
Melinda Downing
DOE
(202) 586-7703
Ben Speakthunder
Fort Belknap Indian Community Council
(406) 353-2205
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Protecting Community Health and Reducing Toxic Air Exposure
through Collaborative Partnerships In Barrio Logan (San Diego, CA)
July 2000 Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Improving Children's Health
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Federal, state, and local agencies will work with
local partnerships led by the Environmental Health
Coalition to conduct a model project on ways to
improve air quality in the predominantly Latino
community of Barrio Logan. The project will provide
information to the community by utilizing an air
monitoring station in a local high school recently
established by California Air Resources Board
(CARB). CARB envisions the project providing a
model for the new Neighborhood Impacts Program
and plans to duplicate this community involvement
and participation effort in other low-income, minority
communities in California. The project also will
involve clinical studies to substantiate the high rate
of asthma and will work to improve health care
delivery.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
The Barrio Logan community is a low-income
Latino community plagued by substandard
housing, over crowded schools, a lack of health
care and social services, and high unemployment
rates. Criss-crossed by two major freeways, this
community is subject to the release of three
million pounds of toxic air pollution each year
from numerous small industries, large shipyards,
naval installations, and waste storage facilities
adjacent to the area. Poor air quality has been
attributed to the high incidence of asthma (28
percent compared with a national average of 7
percent) and other respiratory illnesses in the
children living in these communities. The
respiratory health hazard index for the area is
100-200 times above acceptable levels and is
rising, however, there are no air monitors in the
immediate area to assess the kinds of toxins
impacting these communities.
Federal, state and local agencies will work together
to create a model project that examines ways to
improve air quality in this community. The project
will provide information to the community by utilizing
an air monitoring station in a local high school
recently established by the CARB, and will also
involve clinical studies to substantiate the high rate
of asthma and work to reduce health risks in this
community.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The community of Barrio Logan and
surrounding areas have a population
that is 85 percent Latino. Forty percent
of these residents are living below the
state's poverty level. The community
borders an industrialized portion of San
Diego Bay and is considered to be one
of the most polluted communities in the
county.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The Barrio Logan Air Monitoring Workgroup is studying
how to improve air quality in the Southeast San
Diego County community of Barrio Logan and
surrounding communities. This project will provide
a range of benefits to the Barrio Logan community by
doing the following things:
1 Building community capacity andskillsto understand
environmental impacts on their health and how to
effectively deal with local, state, and federal
authorities to change their communities and
environment;
1 Encouraging local, state, and federal authorities to
more aggressively inspect, regulate, and enforce
environmental laws in small businesses that are
located right next to residential areas;
1 Identifying major pollutant sources in Barrio Logan
and helping the community/local authorities reduce
or eliminate these sources. For instance, Barrio
Logan is working with all industries in the area to
implement pollution prevention strategies and/or
relocation to industrial zones. Also, trucks should
be rerouted from going through the Barrio Logan
community to prevent dust and other paniculate
exposure to residents;
1 Showing a reduction in the asthma and respiratory
illnesses of children living in Barrio Logan once
pollution sources are identified and cleanup is
initiated; and
1 Identifying a process to allow local communities to
have a meaningful voice in selectingtheircommunity
for the city's redevelopment effort.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
> American Lung Association (ALA) will conduct
Open Airways training in school and is working to
provide scientific input on source identification for air
pollutants.
> Air Pollution Control District (APCD) provided
staff, a web site, and data/information to a workgroup
and their community on air station; is comparing
information with other parts of city; and has modified
behavior on granting air variances in area.
1 California AirResource Board (CARS) will use the
Barrio Logan Air Monitoring Project as a model for a
new Neighborhood Impacts Program and duplicate
the community-based involvement approach in other
low-income, minority communities. CARB will also
develop methods and protocols for identifying,
monitoring, and reducing air pollution impacts in
communities affected by multiple emission sources.
CARB provided $500,000 in resources (staff and
equipment) to set up a monitoring station and conduct
emission inventory in the Barrio Logan community.
Environmental Health Coalition is working
aggressively with the city and City Council on the
Redevelopment Zone for Barrio Logan to make the
area mainly residential.
EPA is working with local CUPAs to make sure
inspections and enforcement efforts are occurring
and has quarterly meetings with EHC to address
broad-ranging issues in community.
HUD will assist the local authorities in securing
adequate, safe housing for Barrio Logan residents.
Industrial Environmental Association represents
many of the industries in Barrio Logan and tries to
encourage pollution prevention strategies.
Mercado Tenants Association provides meeting
space, translates, and disseminates information to
the community on the project, and arranges
community meetings and field trips to the monitoring
station for residents.
NIEHS will provide supportto conduct clinical studies
on asthma incidence and work to reduce health risk
related to environmental exposures.
San Diego School District is working with the
American Lung Association to conduct Open Airways
training in schools and using Tools for Schools to
identify indoor air pollution sources in schools.
USC Health Centerwill provide scientific and medical
investigation in the area (particularly as it relates to
the children in the area). The Center has been
involved in family education projects on air pollution
sources in Barrio Logan.
Contacts:
Clarice Gaylord
U.S. EPA Region 9
(619)235-4767
California Air Resource Board
(916)445-3742
San Diego County Air Pollution Control District
(619)694-3358
Fred Tyson
NIEHS
(919)541-0176
Frank Riley
HUD, San Diego
(619)557-5310
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Oregon Environmental Justice Initiative
(Portland and Rural Communities, Oregon)
July 2000
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Improving Public Health
PROJECT PURPOSE:
A partnership comprising federal, tribal, state, and
local government and community partners will work
to accomplish three community-identified needs in
the State of Oregon that impact public health:
reduce lead exposure in urban areas, reduce
pesticide exposure in rural areas, and eliminate
illegal dumping on tribal lands. The Initiative will
include targeted inspections. It will also include
community-based research, outreach, and
education projects such as a mobile lab for blood
lead testing; development of PC-based geographic
information system profile of Oregon consisting of
environmental and health databases; community-
based environmental monitoring; two federal-tribal-
state summits; and "Safe Food"a-farmworker,
youth-designed research project to identify pesticide
residues.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
The Environmental Justice Initiative for the District
of Oregon is a multiyear partnership comprising
federal, tribal, state, and local government and
community partners. Through the support of state
government and community-based organizations,
the Initiative has generated sustainable support to
achieve a goal of the Children's Health Initiative:
reducing the risk of lead paint exposure.
By helping communities educate themselves and
establish relationships with agencies that can help
them positively affect their environmental concerns,
the federal partners hope to increase the lead-safe
housing stock, increase testing for lead poisoning for
at-risk children, and reduce pesticide exposure for
farmworkers and their children through state-led
inspections and appropriate judicial authority.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
Although the Oregon Environmental Justice
Initiative is focusing on the needs of
children, farmworkers, and tribes in
Portland and surrounding rural
communities, the Initiative responds to
several important national health-related
concerns. This approach to problem-
solving, using the tools of enforcement and
community-based research and education,
can be duplicated and emulated in other
Regions.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
The participating communities and tribes will benefit
from this project through activities that will achieve
the following:
1 Promote place-based partnerships with grassroots
community groups, local, state, and tribal
governments, business, unions, community service
non-profit organizations; the academic community;
and the media;
1 Leverage federal resources to address three
community-identified needs-reduction of lead
exposure in urban areas, reduction of pesticide
exposure in rural areas, and elimination of illegal
dumping on tribal lands;
1 Provide a framework for interagency, multimedia,
collaborations with communities, with concrete
measures of success;
1 Create an Environmental Justice Working Group;
1 Implement an enforcement strategy through targeted
inspections in environmental justice communities to
address lead, pesticides, and illegal dumping on
tribal lands;
1 Create a mobile lab for blood lead testing;
1 Develop a PC-based geographic information system
profile of Oregon that consists of environmental and
health databases;
'Host summits of local, state, and federal
representatives with community presenters;
1 Institutecommunity-based environmental monitoring;
and
1 Implement the "Safe Food" project, which will assist
in identifying pesticide residues in the home;
measure levels of exposure to pesticides in food,
water, and the immediate home environment; and
assess ways to deliver culturally appropriate
prevention strategies in order to increase pesticide
avoidance behaviors and decrease levels of
environmental exposure to pesticides.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
EPA Region 10
HUD
U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon
OTHER PARTICIPATING PARTNERS
These partners will serve in an advisory role and
work together to hold an environmental justice
summit and plan the summer 2001 inspections:
Albina Weed & Seed Project
CREATE
Environmental Justice Action Group (EJAG)
Environmental Justice Work Group (EJWG)
Governor's Environmental Justice Advisory
Board (GEJAB)
King Neighborhood Association
Multnomah County Health Department
Oregon Environmental Council
Oregon Legal Services
Oregon OSHA (will also determine drinking water
risks)
Oregon State Health Division
Pinerose y Campesinos Unidoes del Noroesta
(PCUN)
City of Portland Water Bureau
Urban League of Portland
Contacts:
Monica Kirk
U.S. EPA Region 10
(503) 326-3269
Okianer Christian Dark
United States Attorney for
the District of Oregon
(503)727-1013
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Metlakatla Indian Community Unified Interagency
Environmental Management Task Force (Annette Island, AK)
July 2000 Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Address environmental concerns on Annette Island.
PROJECT PURPOSE:
The formation of a partnership of federal, tribal and
local government agencies and organizations to
address areas of contamination and to develop and
implement the Metlakatla Indian Community(MIC)
Master Plan. This Master Plan will address land
use, areas of contamination, andfuture development
on the peninsula.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
INVOLVED?
Government activities on this land began in 1940
with the lease of 10,000 acres to the Department of
War for building a World War II defense base;
establishing a minor U.S. Navy base; establishing
a major U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) base; creating a
U.S. Air Force ballistic missile early warning system
complex; and installing a U.S. Army radar/
communication system. The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) assumed 5,000 acres of lease
property and ownership of most of the facilities after
1949, and operated Annette Island Airport until the
nearby Ketchikan International Airport displaced it
in 1973. The USCG continued to use the Annette
airport until relocating to Sitka in 1977. The
government stored a combined total of one million
gallons of fuel at several sites on the island. Today,
extensive soil contamination exists around some of
these fuel storage sites. In addition, lead, asbestos,
and oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
have been found at building sites formerly leased
by the government where abandoned government
vehicles, airplane parts, drums, and other wastes
now sit. To date, four federal agencies (COE, BIA,
FAA, and USCG) have spent approximately $5
million investigating and cleaning up contamination
on the peninsula, however, it is estimated that an
additional $62 million may be needed over the next
10 years.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The Annette Islands Indian Reserve is located
in southeast Alaska, approximately 20 miles
south of Ketchikan. This reserve has been the
home of the MIC since 1887, and is the only
Indian reserve in Alaska. The U .S. government
currently holds this land in trust for the tribe.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY?
Through a coordinated federal effort to resolve
environmental concerns, this project will achieve
the following:
Collaborative relationships between tribal and federal
officials;
Mitigation of environmental impacts in order for the
tribe to use its property in an economic and beneficial
way;
Protection of the customary and traditional use of
food resources;
Development and implementation of a Master Plan
for cleanup and restoration of the Metlakatla
Peninsula;
Building tribal capacity to manage and conduct
environmental programs;
Providing federal technical assistance as needed
and monitoring of the tribe's performance; and
Planning development in order to promote
economic growth through the tourism and
commercial fishing industries.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) will provide assistance
and funding for planning activities associated with
site cleanup and use.
Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes
of Alaska will conduct soil and water sampling.
DOD, Army Corps of Engineers (COE) will provide
assistance through funding and cleanup MOUs.
EPA will provide assistance with building tribal
environmental program capacity.
FAA will provide funding assistance.
USCG will assist with the identification and
mitigation of past impacts
Contacts:
Johnny Duplantis Andrea Elconin
COE, Alaska District COE, Alaska District
(907) 753-2829 (907) 753-5680
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Federal Interagency Environmental Justice
Demonstration Projects
Environmental Justice in Indian Country: A Roundtabie to
Address Conceptual, Political, and Statutory Issues
July 2000
Project Summary Sheet
The overall goal of the Integrated Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Action Agenda is to increase efforts to
identify, mobilize, and make use of federal resources to benefit environmentally and economically distressed
communities. The Action Agenda is building dynamic and proactive partnerships that access the initiatives and
resources of federal agencies to improve the quality of life of minority and low-income communities that suffer
disproportionate environmental impacts.
MAJOR FOCUS OF THE PROJECT:
Community Education and Capacity Building
PROJECT PURPOSE:
Federal agencies in collaboration with tribes, tribal
organizations, and other interested parties will
conduct a roundtable to thoroughly discuss, and
identify means to address, the broad range of tribal
cultural, religious, economic, social, legal, and
other issues related to environmental justice in
Indian country. Both tribal leaders and federal
agencies have been struggling to properly interpret
and implement the principles of environmental
justice in a manner that is consistent with the needs
of tribal communities and the complexities of federal-
tribal trust relationships. This demonstration project
proposes to produce a coherent implementation
strategy based on substantive input from tribes.
WHY IS THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INVOLVED?
The Roundtable will provide an opportunity for all
branches of the federal government to improve
their understanding of the underlying issues and
complexities of environmental justice in Indian
Country, including gaps in policy, technical, scientific,
social, and legal research. This will enable federal
agencies and tribes to collaborate effectively in
order to develop a framework for policy and
regulations related to environmental justice in Indian
country.
The two-day Roundtable is planned for late summer
2000 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew out of
a commitment by federal agencies to tribal groups
at the June 1999 environmental justice conference
in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
WHERE IS THE
PARTICIPATING
COMMUNITY?
The Roundtable proposes to assemble a
representative group of American Indians,
Alaskan natives, environmental protection
experts, legal scholars, ethicists, tribal elders,
religious leaders, cultural specialists, policy
experts, and others from around the nation to
identify and address the issues associated with
environmental justice in Indian Country.
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WHAT IS THE BENEFIT TO
THE COMMUNITY?
This Roundtable will be structured to bring discussion
and attention to the pressing issues of environmental
justice in Indian Country, including addressing
negative perceptions of current federalI policies. The
specific tasks associated with this objective are as
follows:
Conduct research in orderto produce a source book
on environmental justice in Indian Country. The
source book will be a compendium of news articles,
statutes, treaties, books, and other works of differing
opinions, positions, and philosophies;
Distribute findings and recommendations of the
Roundtable to the elected or appointed official of all
tribes and tribal colleges;
Design an implementation strategy for a research
agenda, communication strategy, and tribal capacity-
building program as identified in the roundtable;
Create a working group composed of tribal leaders,
tribal colleges, and other interested parties to develop
research issues set out in the roundtable;
Develop tribal college capacity to become a
clearinghouse for environmental justice issues in
Indian Country; and
Use recommendations and findings from the
Roundtable for the development of resource
management, environmental protection,
environmental restoration, and cultural risk
management curricula for workshop training and
future tribal college courses.
PARTNERS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS
DHHS Indian Health Services will provide information
on barriers they face in building infrastructure and
howthey handle waste disposal of their own facilities
in tribal areas.
DHHS Administration for Native Americans will
provide financial assistance for the Roundtable.
DoD will provide information on their Indian policy
and howtheir Department is implementing that policy
in the course of cleanups on Indian lands. DoD will
also provide information on how they manage waste
disposal facilities in Indian Country to comply with
federal laws.
DOE will assist with the planning and implementation
of the roundtable, provide information on their
programs and how they have worked to increased
tribal capacity through their activities, and provide
personnel to assist in IWG's Tribal Outreach Plan.
DOI Bureau of Indian Affairs will play a major role
in the planning of the roundtable and assist with
ensuring follow-up and implementation of action
items identified during the roundtable. DOI will also
provide expert knowledge of the federal trust
responsibility to tribes, give insights to how
environmental justice impacts the trust responsibility,
and explain how they manage their facilities on tribal
land to comply with all federal environmental laws.
DOI Bureau of Reclamation will provide information
on how the Bureau implements DOI's Indian policy
during projects that may impact tribes.
EPA will assist with the communication and tribal
capacity-building component of the roundtable,
provide technical and policy expertise on
environmental laws and regulations in Indian Country,
and explain the difficulties associated with enforcing
federal environmental laws on tribal lands.
HUD will provide information on their Indian programs
and how they have assisted tribes with economic
development.
USDA will provide information on how their rural
development programs assist economic development
in Indian Country. They will also discuss potential
grant programsfortribal infrastructure development,
and howthe Department implements its Indian policy.
Contacts:
Derrick Watchman
DOE
(202)586-0211
JessicaAlcorn
DOE
(202) 586-0798
Danny Gogal
EPA
(202) 564-2576
Clifford Mahooty
DOI - BIA
(505) 346-7507
Roy Miller
DHHS-IHS
(301)295-1522
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SECTION III
FEDERAL INTERAGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
WORKING GROUP
KEY CONTACTS
43
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Intentionally Left Blank
44
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FEDERALINTERAGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
WORKING GROUP
KEY CONTACTS
AGENCY
EPA/OEJ
DOC/NOAA
DOD
DOE
DOJ
DOI
DDL
DOT
HHS/ATSDR
NAME
Charles Lee,
Associate Director, OEJ
Environmental Protection
Agency
Roan Conrad, Director
Office of Sustainable
Development
Department of Commerce
Len Richeson
Environmental Protection
Specialist
Department of Defense
Robert Moore
Environmental Justice
Coordinator
Department of Energy
Quentin C. Pair, Attorney
Department of Justice
Willie Taylor, Director
Office of Environmental
Policy and Compliance
Department of Interior
David Demers, Director
Office of Research and
Technical Support
Department of Labor
Wendell Stills, Team Leader
Federal Highway
Administration
Department of
Transportation
Dr. Rueben Warren
Asst. Adm. for the Office of
Urban Affairs, ATSDR
Health and Human Services
TELEPHONE
202/564-2515
Fax: 202/501-1163
202/482-3384
Fax: 202/482-2663
703/604-0518
202/586-4758
Fax: 202/586-9260
202/514-1999
Fax: 202/514-2583
202/208-3891
Fax: 202/208-6970
202/219-6197x184
Fax: 202/212-9216
202/366-2052
Fax: 202/366-3409
404/639-5060
Fax: 404/639-5063
E-MAIL
lee.charles@epa.gov
roan, con rad@hdq.noaa.qov
richeslh @acq.osd .mil
robert.moore@hq.doe.qov
quentin.pair@usdoi.gov
willie tavlor@os.doi.qov
demers david@dol.gov
wendell.stills@fhwa.dot.gov
RCW4@cdc.gov
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AGENCY
NAME
TELEPHONE
E-MAIL
HHS/HRSA
Jeanean Willis, MPH
Senior Health Advisor
Health and Human Services
301/443-0943
iwillis@hrsa.gov
HHS/NIEHS
Dr. Charles Wells, Director
Environmental
Justice/Health Disparities
and Public Health, NIEHS
Health and Human Services
301/496-2920
Fax:301/496-0563
wells1@niehs.nih.gov
HUD
Antoinette G. Sebastian
Community Planning and
Development
Housing and Urban
Development
202/708-0614
X4458
antoinette sebastian@hud.gov
OMB
Carol Dennis
Environmental Justice
Contact
Office of Managementand
Budget
202/395-4822
Fax: 202/395-5836
cdennis@eop.omb.gov
USDA/US
Forest
Service
Carol Wettstein
Environmental Justice
Coordinator, USFS
US Department of
Agriculture
202/205-1588
Fax: 202/205-1174
cwettstein@fs.fed.us
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