OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
3OOO DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 2O3O1-3OOO
ACQUISITION AND
TECHNOLOGY
Dear Madam or Sir:
The purpose of this letter is to provide you a copy of the "Department of Defense (DoD)
Strategy on Environmental Justice," March 24, 1995 (Enclosure). The Strategy was developed in
response to Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income Population," February 1 1, 1994. The DoD Strategy
incorporates comments received during an Interagency Public Meeting on Environmental Justice
held January 20, 1995, in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Strategy includes an implementation plan which focuses on institutional changes to
ensure a healthy and safe environment for DoD. activities conducted in the vicinity of minority or
low-income populations. The implementation plan is flexible and is designed to accept changes
recommended by the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice and comments
received from the public.
Mr. Len Richeson is designated to serve as the DoD point of contact for implementation
of Executive Order 12898. Please provide any written comments on the Strategy and
implementation plan to: Mr. Len Richeson, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense.
(Environmental Security), 3400 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3400. You may
contact Mr. Richeson by telephone at (703) 604-5583 or FAX (703) 604-5934. Thank you for
your interest in the DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice.
Very truly yours,
W. Goodman
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
(Environmental Security)
Enclosure
Environmental Security J^: Defending Our Future
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Strategy
on
Environmental Justice
March 24, 1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
CONTENTS
Section Page
1 SUMMARY REPORT l
2 STRATEGY ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 6
3 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN - 10
Attachments
A Executive Order 12898 and accompanying Presidential Memorandum
B List of Acronyms
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice page 1
SECTION 1
SUMMARY REPORT
INTRODUCTION
On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued an Executive Order entitled Federal Actions
to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations. The
measure requires Federal agencies to identify and address disproportionately high and adverse
human health and environmental effects of Federal programs, policier*, and activities on
minority and low-income populations.
The Department of Defense (DoD) has developed a strategy that identifies the major programs
and areas of emphasis it believes can best meet the latent of the Executive Order, minimize
any adverse effects on the human health and environment of minority and low-income
populations, and carry out the defense mission. DoD's strategy is outlined hi Section 2 of this
document. The implementation plan outlined in Section 3 describes the specific steps DoD
will take to execute this strategy.
DoD's strategy and implementation plan are designed to allow for change as DoD identifies
new opportunities and initiatives and modifies or enhances'existing or proposed initiatives.
Aspects of the plan may change hi response to new directions from the Administration and the
Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG) chaired by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, DoD plans to implement the Executive Order
principally through its compliance with the provisions of the National. Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA).
DoD's strategy focuses on implementing institutional changes, rather than one-time projects,
to ensure that a healthy and safe environment exists around DoD activities that are located hi
or near minority and low-income populations. To that end, DoD will operate in accordance
with the folio whig principles:
* Promote partnerships with all stakeholders
4 Identify the impacts of DoD activities on minority and low-income populations
+ Streamline government
4 Improve the day-to-day operations of installations
4 Foster nondiscrimination in DoD programs
Existing environmental and civil rights statutes provide opportunities to address environmental
hazards and economic opportunities. DoD recognizes that application of existing statutory
provisions is an important part of its efforts to ensure that its programs, policies, and activities
March 24,1995
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page 2 DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
do not have the effect of excluding persons from participating in, denying persons the benefits
of, or subjecting persons to discrimination under such programs because of then: race, color,
or national origin.
INTERNAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS
In the 12 months since the Executive Order was issued, DoD has undertaken and completed
many actions to establish a decision-making infrastructure through which to implement
provisions of the Executive Order:
4 DoD identified the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environmental
Security) to lead the development of the strategy and to oversee implementation
provisions of the Executive Order. DoD also established a DoD-wide Committee on
Environmental Justice (CEJ) to develop, help implement, and monitor DoD's
environmental justice activities. The CEJ is made up of senior level staff who will
guide the implementation of environmental justice within DoD. In addition, each of
the DoD military departments and key defense agencies has identified an office that
will execute the requirements and goals of the Executive Order within their department.
4 DoD established mechanisms for working with theiWG and has actively participated
on the task force committees established to assist the IWG in implementing the
provisions of the Executive Order. DoD co-chairs the IWG Task Force Committee on
Outreach.
DoD will continue to build a foundation to support the integration of environmental justice into
its programs, policies, and activities. Specific actions are:
4 DoD continue the CEJ as a formal forum for guiding the process for implementing the
strategy.
4 DoD will evaluate its progress toward implementing the Executive Order on an annual
basis, using the framework of the Defense Environmental Quality Annual Report to
Congress to collect information and report progress.
4 DoD will establish an accountability system for identifying and monitoring
environmental justice activities. DoD military departments, defense agencies, and
defense field activities will hold periodic reviews to assess progress and share lessons
learned. As part of their self-audits, each will conduct a review of its operations,
activities, and land use to determine whether disproportionately high and adverse
human health and environmental effects on minority and low-income populations living
near the installation have been addressed.
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice page 3
PROGRAMS, POLICIES, AND PLANNING PROCESSES UNDER REVISION
+ DoD will use NEPA as the primary mechanism to implement the provisions of the
Executive Order. When appropriate, environmental assessments, environmental impact
statements, and records of decision will evaluate the potential environmental effects
(including human health, economic, and social) of its actions on minority and low-
income populations. To encourage efforts to streamline government and eliminate
duplication, DoD will coordinate with other Federal agencies to improve data
collection and research needed to support environmental analysis
• DoD will strengthen the community relations plan (CRP) as a tool to understand the
socioeconomic makeup of the populations hi and around its operations. Installations
will combine data gathered from interviews with members of the local community with
information gathered from the U.S. Bureau of the Census and various databases
maintained by the military departments, defense agencies, and other agencies such as
the EPA and local and tribal governments. Where this information does not exist,
DoD will coordinate with other Federal, state, local, and tribal governments to develop
the data.
4 DoD will continue to maintain its data exchange and information network, known as
the Defense Environmental Network Information Exchange (DENDQ, to encourage
sharing of data among all DoD facilities and provide information electronically to other
Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. DoD will make the information available to
the public, whenever practicable and appropriate.
• DoD will enhance existing or, as appropriate, develop new site-specific study
mechanisms to identify high risk populations or populations. As discussed earlier,
DoD will revise and reissue DoD guidelines on implementing NEPA to ensure that
environmental justice considerations are documented in the NEPA process.
4 DoD installations will, through periodic updates to their installation master plans,
assess how their operations and activities affect the communities located near DoD
facilities.
4 DoD installations will, prior to applying for a variance from any local environmental
requirements, evaluate each request to determine if such a varian.ce will have a
disproportionately high or adverse human health and environmental effect on minority
and low-income populations.
4 DoD will review and revise as appropriate, all policy documents addressing procedures
for the sale and disposal of surplus and off-specification DoD materials and supplies.
The review will focus on the provision of safeguards (such as verification of buyer
responsibility) to prevent such material from having disproportionately high and
adverse human health and environmental effects on minority and low-income
populations.
March 24,1995
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page 4 DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
DoD will administer environmental permitting, compliance, research, grant, and
agreement programs to avoid, disproportionately high and adverse human health and
environmental effects on minority and low-income populations.
DoD will support efforts to develop and implement a coordinated strategy to conduct
health research. Where appropriate, the DoD will include diverse segments of the
population, such as minority and low-income populations and workers who may be
exposed to substantial environmental hazards, hi the development of research
proposals. DoD will encourage the participation of these groups in the development of
its research strategies. DoD also will review, as part of the development of integrated
natural resource management plans, any risks associated with the consumption of fish
and wildlife and other food gathered on DoD installations.
DoD will integrate environmental justice training into education and outreach programs
for appropriate DoD employees, including senior leaders. DoD will expand
environmental and leadership training programs to ensure that DoD military personnel
and civilian employees understand their obligation to address issues of environmental
justice hi their day-to-day activities.
DoD will continue efforts to enhance diversity hi the membership of Restoration
Advisory Boards (RAB). Guidelines issued hi August 1994 require that each RAB
reflect the diversity of the communities hi which RABs operate.
DoD will improve existing outreach and communication systems to include
environmental justice stakeholders. At a rninimum, DoD installations will (1) provide
translation of crucial public documents and conduct interpretation of hearings, (2)
prepare documents using language that is non-technical, (3) ensure that document
repositories are readily accessible to the public, (4) schedule meetings with the public
at tunes and places that are convenient to members of the community, and (5) increase
the use of community organizations and non-traditional news organizations that may be
primary sources of information for minority and low-income populations.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND OUTREACH PROCESSES
DoD recognizes that public involvement focuses on providing communities access to
information on, and participation in, matters related to human health and the environment. To
that end, DoD will continue to promote Restoration Advisory Boards (RAB) and Technical
Review Committees (TRC) as forums for discussion about environmental cleanup activities at
DnD DnD also will develop new mechanisms to improve opportunities for minority and low-
income populations to participate hi decision-making processes that affect them. In addition,
DoD will continue to promote public participation during the NEPA process to address
potential human health and environmental effects from proposed major DoD actions, and
public involvement in the development of integrated natural resource management plans. DoD
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice gage 5
will enhance existing mechanisms, such as the Legacy Resources Management Program, to
encourage diverse stakeholder participation in DoD activities that affect human health and the
environment.
MODEL PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS
4 DoD is developing an initiative that will develop case studies of Army installations
located in areas targeted for potential environmental justice concerns. Through the
leadership of the Army, DoD will use existing data and programs and data collected by
other sources, to analyze environmental justice impacts in the BRAC program, public
participation hi the cleanup program, and environmental analysis for the NEPA
program. The initiative also will include the development of training opportunities and
course material that can be broadened for inclusion into DoD's training programs.
4 Under the Joint Land Use Studies program, DoD works with local communities to
develop a plan for implementing land use recommendations around a military
installation. The fundamental objective of the JLUS program is to protect community
health, safety and welfare, and the military mission.
4 DoD has recently embarked on a program to post multilingual signs warning of
potential environmental hazards in areas adjacent to cleanup sites. The Navy has taken
the lead in this project to communicate possible risks associated with consuming fish
and wildlife on DoD property undergoing environmental-cleanup.
4 Restoration Advisory Boards (RABs) are the cornerstone of DoD efforts to expand
community involvement in decisions about cleanup at military bases. By bringing
together people who reflect the many diverse interests within the community, a RAB
can help identify issues of concern and reduce potential communication problems that
could result in needless delays. In addition to providing input on cleanup activities,
each RAB acts as a liaison between the community and the base.
DoD is examining a proposal to develop a comprehensive Public Information and
Outreach Strategic Guide that will provide specific guidance on all aspects of public
information. The guide will focus on enhancing existing mechanisms, as well as
developing new mechanisms for corrnnunicating with stakeholder. One proposed
element takes advantage of the "information superhighway" to facilitate the exchange
of information.
The Legacy Resources Management Program was created to assist DoD in balancing
the use of its lands for military training and testing with the protection of natural and
cultural resources. The Legacy Program supports projects that promote an
understanding of, and an appreciation for, natural and culturid resources, as well as
promotes partnerships with Native American tribal governments.
4
March 24,1995
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page 6 DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
SECTION 2
STRATEGY ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
VISION
DoD mil integrate the President's policy on environmental justice into its mission by ensuring
that its programs, policies, and activities with potential disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects on minority and law-income populations are identified
and addressed. Affected communities mil be partners in the process to address these
concerns; together, -we -will build a foundation that reflects an awareness and understanding of
environmental justice issues. In addition, DoD mil annually evaluate progress in
implementing and maintaining compliance -with the provisions of the Executive order.
GOAL1: IMPLEMENTATION
Establish a decision-making infrastructure to implement the provisions of the Executive
Order
IDENTIFY AN INTERNAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING THE STRATEGY
4 Establish ODUSD(ES) as lead to staff strategy development and oversee
implementation of the Executive Order (Completed April 1994).
4 Establish a DoD-wide Committee on Environmental Justice under the Defense
Environmental Security Council to coordinate and facilitate implementation of the
Executive Order (Completed May 1994).
4 Identify offices in each service branch that will execute the requirements and goals of
the Executive Order. (Completed May 1994)
4 Coordinate with agency General Counsel and the DoD Office of Equal Employment
Opportunity to review legal implications of the Executive Order. (Ongoing)
ESTABLISH MECHANISMS FOR WORKING COOPERATIVELY WITH THE INTERAGENCY WORKING
GROUP ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (IWG)
* Select representatives from the DoD Committee on Environmental Justice to serve as
members of the 10 Task Forces established to assist the IWG. (Completed May 1994)
4 Select representative from the DoD Committee on Environmental Justice to co-chair the
Outreach Task Force Committee of the TNG. (Completed May 1994)
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice PaSe 7
IDENTIFY AN INTERNAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATING PROGRESS
TOWARD IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGY
4 Complete a survey of DoD activities, studies, databases, agreements, and other
information that could assist DoD and the IWG in meeting the goals of the Executive
Order. (Completed June 1994)
4 Evaluate implementation progress on an annual basis, including the conduct of internal
interviews and take all the steps necessary to monitor compliance with the Executive
Order.
4 Identify and develop a schedule for implementing several specific projects to address
particular concerns identified during the development of the strategy.
4 Establish an accountability system for identifying, tracking, arid monitoring
environmental justice activities.
4 Integrate environmental justice training into education and outreach programs for
appropriate DoD employees, including senior leaders.
*
GOAL 2: HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH, DATA
COLLECTION, AND ANALYSIS
Identify populations and communities that may be exposed to disproportionately high and
adverse human health or environmental effects caused by activities under DoD's U.S.
jurisdiction
4
Establish a strategy to gather existing demographic data withim appropriate geographic
areas.
4 Establish an mformation resource management strategy to maintain demographic data
within appropriate geographic areas.
4 Enhance existing, or as appropriate, develop new site specific study mechanisms to
identify high risk populations or communities.
Identify and address, as appropriate, disproportionately high anel adverse human health
or environmental effects of DoD programs, policies and activities on minority and low-
income populations at DoD U.S. sites and facilities
4 Collect, maintain, and analyze information, whenever practicable and appropriate to
assess and compare disproportionately high and adverse environmental and human
health risks borne by populations identified by race, national origin, and income.
March 24,1995
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page g DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
4 Conduct, whenever practicable and appropriate, a systematic review of DoD U.S.
programs, policies and activities to identify activities that may nave a
disproportionately high and adverse environmental or human health effect on minority
and low-income populations.
4 Assess DoD's methods for determining changes to existing or additions of new military
operations and siting of facilities such a sanitary landfills and wastewater treatment
plants.
4 Identify opportunities to avoid or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human
health and environmental impacts on minority and low-income populations and identify
and undertake new or existing model demonstration programs to reduce such effects.
4 Ensure that DoD programs and actions involving environmental permitting,
compliance, research, grants, and agreements, are administered so as to identify and
address, where appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects of DoD U.S. activities on minority and low-income populations.
Ensure that DoD environmental and human health research, whenever practicable and
appropriate, includes diverse segments of the population
4 Evaluate current risk assessment methodologies as they relate to affected communities,
including cumulative and multiple exposures and/or synergistic effects.
4 Review, and revise accordingly, guidance for appropriate inclusion of high risk
populations in DoD's health-related research.
Identify the patterns of consumption for, and communicate the health risks to,
populations who principally rely on fish and/or wildlife for subsistence at DoD U.S.
installations
4 Assess the cumulative exposures affecting human health.
4 Assess the cumulative risks related to consumption of fish and/or wildlife.
GOALS: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND OUTREACH
Improve opportunities for minority and low-income communities to participate in and
have access to information on DoD policies and practices that affect human health and the
environment
4 Identify DoD stakeholder groups and their environmental justice concerns and interests.
4 Encourage stakeholder participation hi the implementation of the Executive order.
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice page 9
Improve existing outreach and communication systems to include Environmental Justice
stakeholders.
Enhance existing, or as appropriate, develop new mechanisms to encourage stakeholder
participation in DoD activities that affect human health and the environment.
Provide translation of crucial public documents and conduct interpretation of hearings,
where practicable and appropriate. Communication should be clear and concise to
facilitate comprehension.
GOAL 4: NONDISCRBMINATION—TITLE VI
Foster nondiscrimination in DoD-funded programs or activities that substantially affect
human health or the environment as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act
4 Review compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and develop adequate
oversight to determine that programs and activities receiving DoD financial assistance
that affect human health or the environment do not discriminate on the basis of race,
color, or national origin.
GOAL 5: NATIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Promote the principles set forth in the Report of the National Performance Review: From
Red Tape to Results: Creating a Government That Works Better and Costs Less, in the
planning, development, and implementation of the provisions of the Executive Order
* Identify opportunities for interagency data collection, studies, and projects that could
be used to meet the goals of Executive Order 12898.
4 Utilize the Defense Environmental Network and Information Exchange (DENDC) to
share information with other Agencies.
4 Cooperate and work with other Federal agencies in the govenoment-wide
implementation of Executive Order 12898, to ensure efficient use of information data
systems and to avoid duplication and waste of federal resources.
March 24,1995
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page 10 DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
SECTION 3
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
INTRODUCTION
On February 11, 1994, President Clinton issued an Executive Order entitled Federal Actions
to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations. The
measure requires Federal agencies to identify and address disproportionately high and adverse
human health and environmental effects of Federal programs, policies, and activities; on
minority and low-income populations.
The preceding strategy identifies the major programs and areas of emphasis where the
Department of Defense (DoD) believes it can best meet the intent of the Executive Order,
minimize any adverse effects on the human health and environment of minority and low-
income populations, and carry out the defense mission. This implementation plan outlines the
specific steps DoD will take to execute this strategy.
DoD considers this plan to be a living document. It is designed to allow for change as DoD
identifies new opportunities and initiatives and modifies or enhances existing or proposed
initiatives. Aspects of the plan may change in response to new directions from the
Administration and the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG) chaired
by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In addition, DoD plans to implement the
Executive Order principally through its compliance with the provisions of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). As such, elements of this plan may change based on
changes in regulations for implementing NEPA.
This plan focuses on implementing institutional changes, rather than one-time projects, to
ensure that a healthy and safe environment exists around activities that are located in or near
minority and low-income populations. To that end, DoD will operate in accordance with the
following principles:
4 Promote partnerships -with all stakeholders: DoD believes that establishing more
meaningful dialogue with its stakeholders, particularly those at the state, local, and
tribal level, will help it fulfill its environmental responsibilities and carry out its
mission. DoD is doing this through greater community involvement with organizations
such as Restoration Advisory Boards (RAB) that facilitate cleanup at military bases.
Another example is the Legacy Resources Management Program which engages the
community in projects that promote an understanding of, and an appreciation for, our
nation's natural and cultural resources.
* laennjy the impacts of DoD activities on minority and low-income populations: DoD
will use the NEPA process to assess the effects proposed actions may have on minority
and low-income populations. The NEPA requires DoD installations to collect and
analyze data on the socioeconomic makeup of the populations that may be affected by
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice PaSe 11
proposed actions, as well as on any risks to human health or the environment posed by
the proposed action.
4 Streamline government: In keeping with the spirit of the National Performance Review
to reinvent government rather than create additional layers of bureaucracy, DoD will
rely on its existing processes and programs to implement the strategy. In addition,
DoD will encourage increased cooperation between Federal agencies as key to reducing
duplication and waste of Federal resources.
4 Improve the day-to-day operations of installations: DoD believes that there are many
opportunities hi and around military installations where DoD can increase its public
participation efforts. Using RABs (for cleanup activities) and other similar groups (for
non-cleanup activities), DoD installations will actively involve populations hi decisions
about base operations which may affect the human health and environment of the local
community. Installations will take affirmative steps to include members of minority
and low-income populations hi planning initiatives that affect these groups.
4 Foster nondiscrimination in DoD programs: DoD recognizes that many existing laws,
such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, provide opportunities to address
environmental hazards hi minority and low-income populations. DoD efforts hi this
area will focus on enforcement of basic provisions for non-discrimination hi its
programs.
The following discussion corresponds to the goals outlined hi Section 2.
GOAL 1: IMPLEMENTATION
DoD understands the importance of infusing an ethic of environmental justice throughout its
day-to-day operations and activities. To that end, DoD will integrate principles of
environmental justice into its programs, policies, and activities. Coupled with its goal to
develop a highly qualified and well-trained environmental work force, DoD sees education and
training as the foundation for infusing this ethic into its environmental programs.
In the 12 months since the Executive Order was issued, DoD has undertaken and completed
many actions to establish a decision-making infrastructure through which to implement
provisions of the Executive Order:
4 DoD identified the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environmental
Security) to lead the development of the strategy and to oversee implementation
provisions of the Executive Order. DoD also established a DoD-wide Committee on
Environmental Justice (CEJ) under the Defense Environmental Security Council to
develop, help implement, and monitor DoD's environmental justice activities. The
CEJ is made up of senior level staff who will guide the implementation of DoD's
strategy on environmental justice. In addition, each of the DoD military departments
March 24,1995
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page 12 DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
and key defense agencies has identified an office that will execute the requirements and
goals of the Executive Order within its department.
«• The CEJ actively worked with the DoD General Counsel and the DoD Office of Equal
Employment Opportunity to ensure that the strategy incorporated the legal requirements
of the Executive Order.
+ DoD established mechanisms for working with the IWG and actively participated on
the task force committees established to assist the IWG in implementing the provisions
of the Executive Order. DoD co-chairs the IWG Task Force Committee on Outreach.
4 DoD participated hi the first interagency Public Meeting on Environmental Justice held
in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 20, 1995.
DoD will continue to build a foundation to support the integration of environmental justice into
its programs, policies, and activities. It will continue the CEJ as a formal forum for guiding
the implementation process. DoD will expand environmental and leadership training programs
to ensure that DoD military personnel and civilian employees understand their obligation to
address issues of environmental justice hi their day-to-day activities.
Key actions:
4 DoD will evaluate its progress toward implementing the Executive Order on an annual
basis. Using the framework of the Defense Environmental Quality Annual Report to
Congress to collect information and report progress, DoD will conduct internal reviews
and take the steps necessary to monitor compliance with the Executive Order. The
environmental quality report describes the achievements and initiatives hi DoD's
environmental quality programs for pollution prevention, conservation, technology, and
education and training. The report is published hi early spring each year and was
developed to fulfill the requirements outlined in Executive Order 12856 and 10 U.S.C.
Section 2706(b).
4 DoD will establish an accountability system for identifying and monitoring
environmental justice activities. In general, accountability will be overseen through the
environmental compliance review process discussed above. Specifically, DoD will
identify military departments and key defense agencies that are leading or will lead the
development and implementation of model projects and programs contained hi the
implementation plan. Each department or agency will hold periodic reviews to assess
progress and share lessons learned. As part of their self-audits, DoD military
departments, defense agencies, and defense field activities will conduct a review of
installation operations, activities, and land use to determine whether disproportionately
high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority and low-income
populations living near the installation have been addressed.
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
page 13
DoD will integrate environmental justice training into education and outreach programs
for appropriate DoD employees, including senior leaders. To that end, DoD will
develop a curriculum outline about environmental justice for incorporation into all DoD
environmental training programs and appropriate DoD senior leadership courses. To
ensure consistency in training between the various military departments and defense
agencies, DoD will use the Inter-Service Environmental Education Review Board
(ISEERB) which was established in 1994 to integrate disparate DoD environmental
education and training programs into a single school system that eliminates duplication
and improves the quality of courses. To further expand awareness of environmental
justice, DoD will create and disseminate to its military personnel and civilian
employees a video that discusses issues of environmental justice and communicates
DoD policy on environmental justice.
GOAL 2: HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL DATA COLLECTION,
ANALYSIS, AND RESEARCH
DoD recognizes that a consistent and fully integrated approach to data management is key to
assessing the impacts of its operations on local populations. To that end, DoD will use NEPA
as the primary mechanism to implement the provisions of the Executive Order. When
appropriate, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements;, and records of
decision will evaluate the potential environmental effects (including human health, economic,
and social) of its actions on minority
and low-income populations. To MODEL PROJECTS/PROGRAMS
streamline government and eliminate
duplication, DoD will coordinate with
other Federal agencies to improve the
data collection and research needed to
support environmental analysis. To
support that effort, DoD strongly
encourages the effective use of existing
databases and, if necessary, the
development of new national databases.
DoD has identified three areas hi which
to address issues related to data
collection, analysis, and research: (1)
identifying minority and low-income
populations that may be affected by
DoD programs, (2) identifying and
addressing programs that may affect
minority and low-income populations,
and (3) ensuring that environmental
research reflects the diversity of
populations.
ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY PROJECT
^ t, A- >y •*» ^ t- A j£ ^ g V"""**^ "*> "
The Department of Defense (DoD) has begun
an initiative that will develop case -studies of
Army installations located in areas targeted for •
potential environmental justice concerns.
Through the leadership of the Army, DoD will
use existing data and programs, such as the
Army's Economic ImpactjForecast System and
EPA databases, to provide ti basis for analysis
of environmental justice issues. The project
also will examine data collected by other
sources, including "historically black ^colleges. -
The Army will use the data to, analyze
environmental justice impacts In the BRAC
program, public participation in the cleanup
program, and environmental analysis for
"NEPA^ The initiative ^also will Include the
development of training opportunities and
course material that can be broadened for
inclusion into DoD's training^program. „"
March 24,1995
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page 14 DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
IDENTIFY POPULATIONS AND POPULATIONS THAT MAY BE EXPOSED TO DISPROPORTIONATELY
HIGH AND ADVERSE HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS CAUSED BY ACTIVITIES
UNDER DOD'S U.S. JURISDICTION
Key to the NEPA process will be the identification of minority and low-income populations.
DoD installations will strengthen the community relations plan (CRP) as a tool to understand
the socioeconomic makeup of the populations in and around their operations. Installations will
combine data gathered from interviews with members of the local community with data
gathered from the U.S. Bureau of the Census and various databases maintained by the military
departments, defense agencies, and other agencies such as the EPA and local and tribal
governments. Where this information does not exist, DoD will coordinate with other Federal,
state, local, and tribal governments to develop the information.
%>
At a minimum, DoD military departments, defense agencies, and defense field activities will
determine whether proposed actions will affect the environment and human health of minority
and low-income populations. For those installations for which a potential impact has been
identified, DoD proponents will develop data for any proposed major action that is subject to
the provisions of NEPA or to the reporting requirements under the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-To-Know Act.
Key actions:
4 DoD military departments, defense agencies, and defense field activities will coordinate
with other Federal agencies and state, local, and tribal governments to compile or
develop demographic and socioeconomic data with respect to race, national origin,
income level, and other appropriate information, as necessary. DoD proponents will
use this information to assess whether any proposed action may have disproportionately
high and adverse human health and environmental effects on minority or low-income
populations. To the extent practicable, DoD will undertake these assessments during
the NEPA or community planning processes.
4 DoD will continue to maintain its data exchange and information network, known as
the Defense Environmental Network Information Exchange (DENLX), to encourage
sharing of data among all DoD facilities and provide information electronically to other
Federal, state, local, and tribal agencies. DoD will make the information available to
the public, whenever practicable and appropriate.
4 DoD will enhance existing or, as appropriate, develop new site-specific study
mechanisms to identify high risk populations or populations. As discussed earlier,
DoD will revise and reissue DoD guidelines on implementing NEPA to ensure that
environmental justice considerations are documented in the NEPA process.
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
page 15
IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS, AS APPROPRIATE, DoD PROGRAMS, POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES THAT
MAY HAVE DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGH AND ADVERSE HUMAN HEALTH .AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS ON MINORITY AND LOW-INCOME POPULATIONS AT DoD U.S. SITES AND FACILITIES.
DoD's primary means for addressing any disproportionately high and adverse human health
and environmental effects on minority and low-income populations at DoD sites and facilities
will be implemented in connection with the NEPA process. All major federal actions are
subject to the NEPA process which involves assessing any potential effects to the physical and
human environment. In documents prepared under NEPA, DoD will discuss the impacts of its
proposed actions on minority and low-income populations.
Another means for addressing environmental justice concerns is through the master plans
prepared by each installation. In preparing the master plans, DoD installations will assess how
their operations and activities affect the communities located near DoD installations. During
periodic updates to the master plans, the installations will evaluate whether there are any
adverse impacts of its operations or activities on any minority or low-income populations with
respect to human health and the physical environment.
Key actions:
+ In the development of NEPA documents or installation master plans, DoD military
departments, defense agencies, and defense field activities will collect, maintain, and
analyze information for assessing whether these activities or proposed actions have
disproportionately high and adverse environmental and human health effects on
minority or low-income populations. For example, DoD military departments, defense
agencies, and defense field activities will use the NEPA process when determining
changes to existing, or additions of, new military operations and the siting of facilities
such as sanitary landfills and
wastewater treatment plants. MODEL PROJECTS/PROGRAMS
DoD military departments, defense
agencies, and defense field
activities also will identify
opportunities to avoid or mitigate
disproportionately high and adverse
human health and environmental
impacts on minority and low-
income populations and identify
and undertake new or existing
model demonstration programs to
reduce such effects. For example,
installations will, prior to applying
for a variance from any local
environmental requirements,
evaluate each request to determine
if such a variance will have a
^ JOINT LAND USE STUDIED PROGRAM idLUSI^--
Under "the JLUS progirarn, t)ob works with
local populations to develop a plan for
Implementing recommendations rforSland Ui6
around a military installation. The funda-
mental objective of 1he JLUS is to protect
community health, sirfety and welfare, "and
the military mission. * f "* „-
Public involvement is an essential part of this
process. The JLUS program was developed
in 19B5 to provide technical and financial
jncentives for local -communities to help
resolve potential conflicts between DoD
mission objectives and ^community growth
patterns. ~ . ~ " *~ ^ "
March 24,1995
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page 16
DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
disproportionately high or adverse human health and environmental effect on minority
and low-income populations. Similarly, DoD will review and revise as appropriate, all
policy documents addressing procedures for the sale and disposal of surplus and off-
specification DoD materials and supplies. The review will focus on the provision of
safeguards (such as verification of buyer responsibility) to prevent such material from
having disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects on
minority and low-income populations.
+ DoD military departments, defense agencies, and defense field activities involved with
environmental permitting, compliance, research, grants, and agreements, will identify
and address, where appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health and
environmental effects of these actions on minority and low-income populations. The
DoD proponent will administer environmental permitting and compliance programs to
avoid, whenever practicable and appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse
human health and environmental effects on minority and low-income populations.
ENSURE THAT DoD ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN HEALTH RESEARCH, WHENEVER
PRACTICABLE AND APPROPRIATE, INCLUDES DIVERSE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION AT HIGH
RISK FROM ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS, SUCH AS MINORITY POPULATIONS, LOW-INCOME
POPULATIONS, AND WORKERS WHO MAY BE EXPOSED TO SUBSTANTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL
HAZARDS. , .
DoD's principal proponents for conducting environmental and human health research are: (1)
the Office of the Assistant Director of Defense, Research, and Engineering, which is
responsible for coordinating research and development programs DoD-wide; (2) the Office of
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for
Health Affairs, which is responsible for MODEL PROJECTS/PROGRAMS
DoD health policies, programs, and
activities; and (3) the counterpart agencies
within the Military Departments, including
the Army Center for Health Promotion and
Preventive Medicine, Navy Environmental
Health Center, and the Air Force Office of
the Surgeon General. In addition, DoD
works with the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
under a cooperative agreement to
determine the risks to human health and
the physical environment that might arise
from DoD activities.
DoD recognizes that health research
provides an opportunity for Federal, state,
local, and tribal governments to work
together to eliminate duplication and
ENVIRONMENTAL WARNING SIGNS"
The Department of Defense has recently
embarked on a program to post multi-lingual
signs warning of potential^environmental
~ hazards in areas adjacent to cleanup' sites.'
The Navy has taken the lead in this project
to communicate possible risks of consuming
fish and wildlife on property undergoing
~~n -« ,*, •SV»v »
environmental cleanup. t)ne program posts
sings along the shoreline of Hunters Point
Shipyard in San Francisco, CA, In four
languages: English/ Spanish, Vietnamese,
"and Chinese." ^Specifically the signs warn
against ihe consumption of shellfish taken
from the waters injthe area," as well as warn
against potential environmental hazards in
the area. "-,' - V £' V~" * " ~*jr "
_ * /W *f» * *.
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
page 17
reduce costs. DoD will support efforts to develop and implement a coordinated strategy on
health research. Where appropriate, the DoD proponents identified above will include diverse
segments of the population, such as minority and low-income populations and workers who
may be exposed to substantial environmental hazards, hi the development of research
proposals. DoD will encourage the participation of these groups in the development of its
research strategies. DoD also will review, as part of the development of integrated natural
resource management plans, the risks associated with the consumption offish, wildlife, and
other food gathered on DoD installations.
Key actions:
4 DoD health research proponents will evaluate current risk assessment methodologies as
they relate to affected populations, including cumulative and multiple exposures and/or
synergistic effects.
4 DoD health research proponents will develop guidance to include; high risk populations
hi DoD's health-related research.
4 For DoD installations and activities located hi areas where populations rely on fish and
or wildlife for subsistence, the respective proponents will:
*
=> Consider, during the NEPA process or the development of integrated natural
resource management plans, the cumulative exposures and risks related to different
patterns of consumption of fish and/or wildlife and the impact of DoD operations
on fish and/or wildlife.
=> Communicate to affected populations the risks associated with differential patterns
of consumption of fish and/or wildlife. DoD will broaden efforts to post
environmental warning signs in English, as well as hi other languages appropriate
for the community in which the signs will be posted.
MODEL PROJECTS/PROGRAMS
GOAL 3: PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION AND OUTREACH
DoD recognizes that public involvement
focuses on providing communities access
to information on, and participation hi,
matters related to human health and the
environment. To that end, DoD will
continue to promote Restoration Advisory
Boards (RAB) and Technical Review
Committees (TRC) as forums for
discussion about environmental cleanup
activities at DoD installations. RABs are a
' „ RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARDS (RAB)
RABs are the cornerstone of DoD efforts to
expand community involvement in decisions-
about cleanup at military t>asesr By-bringing
together people who reflect^the many
diverse interests wilhin the community, a
RAB can help identify issues of concern and
reduce potential communication problems
thaf could result "in ne^dlessljtelays:" In
addition to providing input JOTI cleanup
activities, each RAB acts as a liaison
between~the community and the .base.
March 24,1995
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page 18
DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
recent addition to DoD's efforts to provide opportunities for communities to provide input into
cleanup activities at military installations. Guidelines issued in August 1994 require that each
RAB reflect the diversity of the communities in which RABs operate.
DoD also will develop new mechanisms to improve opportunities for minority and low-income
populations to participate in decision-making processes that affect them. In addition, DoD will
continue to promote public participation during the NEPA process to address potential human
health and environmental effects that may result from proposed major DoD actions. DoD will
encourage public involvement in the development of integrated natural resource management
plans.
DoD will enhance existing mechanisms, such as the Legacy Resources Management Program,
to encourage diverse stakeholder participation hi DoD activities that affect human health and
the environment. The Legacy program, of which public awareness and education is a major
component, promotes an understanding of, and access to, significant natural, cultural, and
historical resources.
Key actions:
4 DoD will identify DoD stakeholder groups and their environmental justice concerns
and interests. For example, for those DoD installations for which a community
relations plan (CRP) is required, each installation will strengthen its plan by identifying
all stakeholders, particularly minority and low-income populations.
MODEL PROJECTS/PROGRAMS
COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC INFORMATION AND OUTREACH STRATEGIC GUIDE (Proposed)
The Department of Defense-is examining a proposal to develop a comprehensive Public-
Information and Outreach Strategic Guide ..'that will provide; specif^ic guidance on all
aspects of public information. Theguide,"to be developedprimarily for use by DoD
installations, will focus on enhancing existing mechanisms /to encourage^stakeholder..
participation but also includes: tHe deveBpmerit-^f JneW'^m
communication to all stakeholders. _:;--yv^- ^•^^'^^^^^^^^^^j^^^'-^j^.
One element of the proposed strategy, takes advantage of the ^trriotiin^on:^\^&^^-y
way" to seek Input rfrorn,land keep istake.h"6fders|irif6rrned3<^
elements include the:,.«.»^
Design and creirtibli or
justice stakeholder ja
Native
Design and development.oiahoixd^ virtual
real-time telefaxed responses~to;stakehc^ers^^ - , ~
March 24,1995
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
page 19
DoD will enhance existing or, as appropriate* develop new mechanisms to encourage
stakeholder participation in DoD activities that affect human health and the
environment. DoD will continue to encourage stakeholder participation in RABs and
similar groups.
DoD will improve existing outreach and communication systems to include
environmental justice stakeholders. At a minimum, DoD will provide translation of
crucial public documents and conduct interpretation of hearings, where practicable and
appropriate. Documents will be written for the target audience. Each should be clear
and concise, using language that is non-technical and illustrative to facilitate
comprehension. DoD installations will ensure that document repositories are readily
accessible to the public and schedule meetings with the public at times and places that
are convenient to members of the community. In addition, installations will increase
their use of community organizations and non-traditional news organizations that may
be primary sources of information for minority and low-income populations. These
expanded outreach efforts will include churches, community centers, tribal
governments, schools, and other organizations that serve minority and low-income
populations.
GOAL 4: NONDISCRIMINATION—(Title VI)
Existing environmental and civil rights statutes provide opportunities to address environmental
hazards hi minority and low-income populations. DoD recognizes that application of existing
statutory provisions is an important part of its efforts to ensure that ite programs, policies, and
activities do not have the effect of excluding persons from participating in, denying persons
the benefits of, or subjecting persons to discrimination under such programs because of their
race, color, or national origin. In accordance with DoD Directive 5500.1, Nondiscrimination
in Federally Assisted Programs, DoD will foster nondiscrimination in ite programs or
activities that substantially affect human health or the environment.
Key action:
Review compliance with Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act to confirm that
programs and activities receiving
DoD financial assistance that affect
human health or the environment
do not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, or national origin.
MODEL PROJECTS/PROGRAMS
LEGACY RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
** "•• ^" -*" **~Jr *"'* "••* *• •£— "
The Legacy Program , was jpreated in
November 1990 to assist DoD in balancing
the intensive' use of its lands for military
training and testing with the protection of
natural and cultural resources. The Legacy
• Program^ supports projects that promote an
under-standing of, "and an appreciation for,
natural and cultural resources, as well as
promote partnerships with Native American
tribal governments. -
March 24,1995
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page 20 DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
GOAL 5: NATIONAL PERFORMANCE REVIEW
The National Performance Review (NPR) was an intensive six-month study of the Federal
government conducted in 1993 that had as its goal: moving from red tape to results to create a
government that works better and costs less. A key element of the recommendations of the
NPR focuses on Federal agencies working in cooperation to provide consistent direction and
avoid duplication and waste of Federal resources. To that end, DoD will identify
opportunities where it can work with other Federal agencies to collect data, conduct studies,
and implement projects that can be used to meet the goals of the Executive Order. DoD will
promote the principles set forth hi the Report of the National Performance Review: From Red
Tape to Results: Creating a Government That Works Better and Costs Less, hi the planning,
development, and implementation of the provisions of the Executive Order.
Key actions:
+ Identify opportunities for interagency data collection, studies, and projects that could
be used to meet the goals of the Executive Order.
+ Expand and broaden access to the Defense Environmental Network and Information
Exchange (DENK) to encourage sharing of information with other agencies.
*
4 Cooperate and work with other Federal agencies in the government-wide
implementation of Executive Order, to ensure efficient use of information data systems
and to avoid duplication and waste of Federal resources. ;
March 24,1995
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Federal Register
Vol. 59. No. 32
Wednesday. February 16, 1994
Presidential
Title 3—
The President
. —
Executive Order 12898 of February „. Iq94
SBSS
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(51 examine exi5ting dat, -nd^udies on environmental fustic* -
J6) hoW public meetings as required, in section 5-502(d) o! this order;
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to
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not have the
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7632 Federal Register / VoL 59. No. 32
_Wednesday. February 16. 1994 / Presidential Docunanfr
f "* Commems
Sec. 6-6. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
ag- The head of each Federal
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THE WHITE HOUSE,
February 11, 1994,
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DoD Strategy on Environmental Justice
ATSDR
CEJ
CRP
DENIX
DoD
E.G.
EPA
ISEERB
IWG
JLUS
NEPA
NPR
ODUSD(ES)
Security)
RAB
TRC
ATTACHMENT B
LIST OF ACRONYMS
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Committee on Environmental Justice
Community Relations Plan
Defense Environmental Network and Information Exchange
Department of Defense
Executive Order
Environmental Protection Agency
Inter-Service Environmental Education Review Board
Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice
Joint Land Use Studies program
National Environmental Policy Act
National Performance Review
Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environmental
Restoration Advisory Board
Technical Review Committee
March 24,1995
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