pEjlgJSjJS?^^
Siii^                                            •' i .'•' ,?'"•''"  •' •*. •"*••', '';J :4j" •'.•k.. .v " ,."' •.•:.--.'.' ' ;  ;..'"' ..'i .•. '  •  "•'!  -.'". .



                                                                          •t;


-------
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency	
Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
(2201A)   I
      EPA/300-R-02-002
      February 2002
http://www.epa.gov/comDliance
Office of Environmental Justice
                               To  Obtain Copies

Copies of this report may be obtained by writing or calling:

                   U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
                   National Service Center fo|r Environmental Publications (NSCEP)
                   P.O. Box 42419         j
                   Cincinnati, OH 45242    |
                   Telephone:   513-489-81190

                   and requesting Report No.; EPA/300-R-02-002.

 You may also review it. along with the previously published report, on the web site:
 http://wwvv.epa.gov/compliance/en\'ironmentaliustice
       Environmental Justice Small Grants Emerging Tools - (1999) EPA 200-R-99-001

-------
                Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2"d Edition
                             Table of Contents

Preface	  iii

•     Introduction	  1

•     What is Environmental Justice?	  1

•     EPA's Role in Environmental Justice	  2

•     Why the Small Grants Program was Developed	  2

•     The Grant Selection Process	3

•     Project Descriptions Grouped by EPA Regional Offices
            Region 1     - Boston	5
            Region 2     - New York	15
            Region 3     - Philadelphia	  19
            Region 4     - Atlanta  	29
            Region 5     - Chicago	39
            Region 6     - Dallas	45
            Region 7     - Kansas City  	53
            Region 8     - Denver	57
            Region 9     - San Francisco	65
            Region 10    - Seattle	73

Appendix A: Index to Projects by State  	79

Appendix B: Index to Projects by Focus Area  	80

Appendix C: EPA Regional Offices and State Breakdown	  82

Appendix D: List of Environmental Justice Coordinators at EPA	83

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
       This page intentionally left blank

-------
                  Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                  Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2nd Edition
                  MESSAGE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR
       I am pleased to provide the United States Environmental Protection Agency's 2nd Edition
of the Environmental Justice Small Grants Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving. This
report provides a snapshot of the best projects awarded under the Environmental Justice Small
Grant Program between 1997 and 1999. I believe the report will help the public assess the
collaborative efforts directed at addressing and/or resolving real life environmental justice issues.
       This document describes a variety of projects that have made a difference. It describes 71
grants selected as the "best success stories for the three-year period from 1997 -1999 to
demonstrate how communities can come together in different ways to solve local problems.

       Much of the progress described in the report is a direct result of contributions by
community-based organizations and tribal partners.  Ensuring strong and creative partnerships is
essential and continues to be a top priority of this Agency.

       The work detailed in this report demonstrates the potential such partnerships have for
continued progress. Not only have these efforts improved conditions in the communities
described in the report, they are also models of success that can be applied in similar situations
across the country.  We find these projects inspiring, and hope that by highlighting these case
studies we will help others find ways to solve their local problems and to think creatively about
environmental justice issues in their communities.
                                Christine Todd Whitman
                                    Administrator
                                          m

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2"J Edition
       This page left intentionally blank
                   IV

-------
                  Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                  Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                   Introduction

This publication is a compilation of information about 71 of the hundreds of grants that have
been awarded through the Environmental Protection Agency Small Grants Program which
reflects some of the support the EPA gives to community-based organizations. EPA has
supported communities through partnerships, research, communication and public participation
to help ensure a more just and fair distribution of environmental benefits as well as
environmental burdens. This document describes community projects representing several focus
areas such as: air quality, children's health, farmworker safety, hazardous waste disposal, lead
and CO2 education, PCB contamination, perchloroethylene (perc) education, pollution
prevention, radon, water quality and environmental stewardship. Our purpose is to: (1) inform
communities and show them how to link or implement similar projects and programs; (2) reduce
duplication of effort; (3) strengthen the networking of organizations; (4) improve the quality of
future projects; and (5) provide lessons learned from completed projects. Appendix A is a list of
projects by state.

This biennial publication highlights the accomplishments of the grant recipients under the Small
Grants Program.  It covers grants awarded during the three-year period of 1997 through 1999 of
the Small Grants program.  In subsequent years a Small Grants  Program accomplishments report
will be published biennially and will include those successes from the previous years.

                        What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless
of race, color, national origin, culture, education, or income with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair
treatment means that no one group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups,
should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from
industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and
tribal environmental programs and policies. Meaningful involvement means that: (1) potentially
affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decisions about a
proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health; (2) the public's contribution
can influence the regulatory agency's decision; (3) the concerns of all participants involved will
be considered in the decision-making process; and (4) the decision-makers seek out and facilitate
the participation of those potentially affected.

-------
                 Environmental Justice'Small Grants Program
                  Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving y Edition
                      EPA's  Role  in Environmental Justice
                                          \
       On February 11,1994, the President issued Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to
Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations," which
identified three goals:

       •      to focus federal agency action on the environment and human health conditions in
             minority and low-income communities;
                                          i
       •      to promote nondiscriminating in federal programs that substantially affect human
             health and the environment; and

       •      to provide minority and low-income communities greater access to information
             on, and opportunities for public participation in, matters relating to human health
             and the environment.           '

       The President encouraged federal agencies to reinvent the way the nation approaches
environmental justice so that our day-to-day efforts would be more effective in protecting the
public health and environment. The EPA has a leadership role in helping federal agencies
implement this Executive Order.
              Why the Small Grants Program was Developed

      The EPA recognized that community involvement was critical to environmental decision
making and made a commitment to invest resources in projects that would financially benefit
affected communities. In Fiscal Year 1994, the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ)
established the Small Grants Program to provide financial assistance for addressing local
environmental problems to eligible community groups which included community-based
grassroots organizations, churches, other nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments.

      Each year approximately $2 million is made available for the Environmental Justice
Small Grants Program divided equally among the ten EPA regions where the actual grant is
awarded and managed.  Awards range from $ 10,000 to $20,000 each.   The amount available in
a given year may vary depending on the availability of funds.

-------
                 Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                 Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program Summary
Fiscal Year
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
$ Amount
500,000
3,000,000
2,800,000
2,700,000
2,500,000
2,000,000
899,000
1,300,000
Awards
71
175
152
139
123
95
61
88
                         The Grant Selection Process

      The grant proposals submitted for the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program are
evaluated, within the EPA region where the project is located, through competitive review and
evaluation. Award decisions are made within each region based on established criteria which
include geographic and socioeconomic balance, diversity of project recipients, and sustainability
of benefits of projects after the grant is completed. The review process also gives a higher
priority to proposals that demonstrate strong community involvement at the proposal
development stage.

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving 2"d Edition
        This page left intentionally blank

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-Edition
                                            REGION 1
                                   (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Grant Number:
EQ991045
        Action Against Asthma Program

Project Coordinator:                            EPA Funding:
Andrea Mullin                                  $20,000
Committee for Boston Public Housing (CBPH)      FY1997
Roxbury, MA 02120	
Focus:
Air Quality
Target Audience:
The 23,817 individuals residing in public housing in
Boston.  Ninety percent of these residents are below the
poverty line, and seventy percent are racial, cultural, or
linguistic minorities.

Purpose:
To address poor indoor air quality in Boston's public
housing developments by educating public housing
residents about the impact of environmental and
housing conditions on health.

Goals:
•       To increase recognition of asthma as a high-
        priority environmental justice issue.
•       To build strong alliances between public
        housing residents, environmental
        organizations, and local health care providers.
•       To improve environmental and housing
        conditions in public housing developments,
        and therefore the health of individual
        residents.
•       To encourage public housing residents to
        become environmental justice activists.

Methods:
•       Recruit public housing residents to participate
        in six weeks of training to become Asthma
        Health Advocates (AHAs).
•       AHAs create and conduct health surveys to
        gather information about the rate and severity
        of asthma in public housing.
•       Conduct educational workshops and
        community meetings to address asthma in
        public housing.
                                  •       Collaborate with community-based
                                         organizations to share information and
                                         contribute to programs that address.asthma.

                                  Products/Results:
                                  The Committee for Boston Public Housing trained 29
                                  public housing residents to become AHAs. These
                                  residents partnered with city health inspectors to
                                  conduct 25 home assessments for asthma triggers in
                                  four public housing developments. AHAs also
                                  surveyed more than 300 public housing residents to
                                  determine the rate and severity of asthma in public
                                  housing. The Action Against Asthma (AAA)  program
                                  also continued to strengthen its Advisory Committee,
                                  consisting of 20 members, including public housing
                                  residents.  The Advisory Committee drafted a report
                                  called "Asthma in Public Housing."

                                  Succe sses/Streng ths:
                                  The AAA program created the Urban Asthma
                                  Coalition, which includes members of the Attorney
                                  General's  Office, medical providers, lawyers,
                                  residents,  and environmental professionals. The
                                  coalition's mission is to examine indoor air quality in
                                  public and private housing and bring government
                                  attention to the asthma problem.  The Advisory
                                  Committee met twice with the Administrator of the
                                  Boston Public Housing Authority to discuss the public
                                  health impact of the dilapidated conditions of the
                                  majority of the city's public housing. AAA also
                                  became involved with the Healthy Kids/Healthy
                                  Homes program, the Northeast Environmental Justice
                                  Network, and with Neighbors Against Urban Pollution.
                                  AAA's year-long organizing efforts culminated in the
                                  installation of an air monitoring system near one
                                  housing development and a sewage leak monitoring
                                  system near another development.

-------
                     Environmental Justice; Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                            REGION 1
                         Boston Neighborhood Recycling Campaign
Grant Number:
EQ981145
                       Project Coordinator:
                       Vivien Watts
                       Recycling Initiative Campaign j
                       Boston, MA 02111           \
EPA Funding:
$17,945
FY1999
Focus:
Recycling
Target Audience:
Residents of three of the lowest-income neighborhoods
in Boston (Dorchester, East Boston, and the South
End) , many of whom are people of African-American,
Vietnamese, Haitian-Creole, and Latino descent.

Purpose:
Boston's recycling rate is only 12 percent, compared to
the statewide average of 34 percent. The Recycling
Initiative Campaign (RIC) aims to boost recycling rates
:" Boston by targeting three neighborhoods.
in
Goals:
•       To work with community groups to identify
        solid waste problems in their communities and
        help design and implement programs to
        address them.

•       Create three Block Captain Programs of 40
        people each and three tenant groups of 10
        people each to work on implementing
        recycling.

•       Hold three meetings and form the basis of a
        city-wide coalition to foster information
        exchange and partnerships between city
        officials, recycling advocates, representatives
        from the recycling facility, and representatives
        from the company that hauls recyclables.

Methods:
•       Establish individual recycling coalitions in
        each of the targeted neighborhoods through
        grassroots community outreach.
  •        Recruit and train volunteers to become Block
          Captains or tenant leaders.  Create and
          distribute fact sheets or other documents about
          recycling.

  •        Establish contact with all recycling
          stakeholders and create a city-wide coalition
          to promote recycling. Organize meetings for
          all stakeholders.

  Pro ducts/Results:
  Boston Neighborhood Recycling Coalition (BNRC)
  members talked to hundreds of people through block
  captaining, attending community events, and handing
  out blue recycling bins. The BNRC created various
  leaflets with information on common recycling
  mistakes and recycling in Boston. During the first year
  of the project, Boston  city officials launched a 5-year
  strategic plan to  improve recycling in Boston.  BNRC
  members were interviewed on several occasions as  part
  of the strategic planning process. In addition, the
  coalition published a report detailing their analysis  of
  the city's recycling program and the steps necessary to
  achieve 40% recycling in 2005.

  Succe sses/Streng ths:
  RIC originally targeted three neighborhoods, but
  actually helped start recycling coalitions in seven,
  including the South End, Dorchester, Allston/Brighton,
  Fenway, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and West Roxbury.
  Members of the North End and Four Point Channel
  neighborhoods have also expressed interest in getting
  involved with the recycling campaign.
                                                                               ###

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                            REGION 1
   EnvironmentalJmtice Connections: Incorporating Environmental Justice into
                           Community Health Nursing Curriculum
Grant Number:
EQ991017
Project Coordinator:
Anne Reynolds
Tellus Institution, Inc.
Boston, MA 0211
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1998
Focus:
Education
Target Audience:
The College of Nursing community at the University of
Massachusetts (UMASS) in Boston.

Purpose:
To connect environmental justice and public health
issues by integrating environmental justice concepts
into a community health nursing curriculum.

Goals:
•       To create and implement a model
        environmental justice course module for
        community health nursing students.

Methods:
•       Design and implement an environmental
        justice course module.

•       Assess the permanent inclusion of the module
        in the UMASS nursing curriculum.

•       Disseminate the module as a model for other
        nursing programs.

Pro ducts/Results:
Tellus created a year-long environmental justice course
module that included four components: lectures,
reading, a tour, and a community clinical practicum
project.  Two three-hour lectures were developed that
addressed the connection between environmental
justice, pollution issues, public health, and community
nursing. A concise required reading packet of recent
literature on environmental justice and environmental
health topics was compiled. Tellus partnered with
Alternatives for Community and Environment to
provide a student tour of Roxbury, where information
on environmental justice issues and activism were
                                presented. Two tours were given each semester to
                                accommodate all students.  Finally, all students were
                                required to complete a semester-long clinical
                                experience at a community-based health or social
                                service organization and conduct an environmental
                                group project for the organization.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                Students completed seven semester-long practicum
                                projects with community-based health and social
                                service organizations and several environmental justice
                                projects on topics ranging from tobacco smoke,
                                recycling, asthma, brownfields, flooding, and cancer.
                                At the conclusion of both semesters the faculty of the
                                College of Nursing at UMASS decided that a lecture on
                                environmental justice and environmental health would
                                be permanently included in their curriculum. The
                                college also plans to continue the clinical practicum
                                project. In contrast to the first two semesters, students'
                                groups are not required to focus only on an
                                environmental justice topic for their project, but
                                students are required to address environmental health
                                considerations of the community health issue they
                                select.
                                                      ###

-------
                     Environmental Justice;Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                            REGION 1
                   Health Hazards of Contaminated Fish  Consumption
Grant Number:
EQ981148
Project Coordinator:
Madeline Martin
Penobscot Indian Nation
Old Town, ME 04468
EPA Funding:
$19,700
FY1998
Focus:
Water quality
Target Audience:
The 2,194 enrolled tribal members of the Penobscot
Indian Nation (Penobscot) in east central Maine.

Purpose:
Fish consumption advisories are in effect for most
resident fish species in waters fished by Penobscot
tribal  members because of contamination from dioxin,
coplanar PCBs, and mercury. The purpose of this
project is to build Penobscot's capacity to identify and
resolve environmental health problems by expanding
the efforts to relate the extent, prevention, reduction,
and elimination of water contamination in tribal areas.

Goals:
•       Educate staff from the Penobscot Health
        Department and the Department of Natural
        Resources about health problems from
        exposure to dioxin and mercury, and provide
        training to detect and assess exposure.

•       Educate the tribal community about health
        problems from exposure to dioxin and
        mercury.  Specifically target the most at-risk
        tribal members, including children and adults
        of childbearing age.

Methods:
•       Review literature on dioxin and mercury in
        aquatic environments and fish tissue, and any
        associated health effects.

•       Hold a workshop on the health hazards of
        contaminated fish for staff from the Penobscot
        Health Department and the Department of
        Natural Resources.
                                 •       Hold a community forum to foster
                                         understanding of the human health effects of
                                         exposure to mercury and dioxin.

                                 •       Distribute culturally sensitive material on fish
                                         consumption advisories affecting tribal water
                                         resources.

                                 Pro ducts/Results:
                                 A report entitled "Literature Review of Human Health
                                 Risks From Dioxin &  Mercury Exposure in Fish
                                 Tissue" was published after the first stage of
                                 information-gathering. After the report was distributed,
                                 a workshop was held for staff from the Penobscot
                                 Health Department and the Department of Natural
                                 Resources called "Health Hazards of Contaminated
                                 Fish: Education for Providers." A community forum
                                 called "Understanding Human Health Effects of
                                 Exposure to Mercury  and Dioxin" was also held for
                                 interested tribal members. Finally, updated culturally
                                 sensitive fish advisory material was developed and
                                 distributed to tribe members.

                                 Successes/Strengths:
                                 The collaboration between the Penobscot Nation
                                 Health Department and the Department of Natural
                                 Resources on this project resulted in a strong
                                 partnership between the two groups that will facilitate
                                 Penobscot's ability to identify and resolve future
                                 environmental problems. The Penobscot Nation also
                                 plans to continue efforts to assess the extent of health
                                 problems from mercury and dioxin by conducting a
                                 surveillance study of a sample of tribal members to
                                 estimate the body burdens of these contaminants.
                                                        ###

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGION 1
    Linking Environmental Justice and Economic Development in Low-Income
                             Communities through Job Training
Grant Number:
EQ991038
Project Coordinator:
Paula Paris
Jobs for Youth
Boston, MA 02208-2786
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1997
Focus:
Education
Target Audience:
Adult residents of low-income neighborhoods in
Boston that are either unemployed or underemployed,
with a high school diploma or equivalent, and less
than two years of post secondary education or
training.

Purpose:
To build capacity in the low-income communities by
educating and preparing the residents with the skills
and knowledge to enter into the environmental
services field.
Goals:
        To provide classroom instruction and
        certification that will allow participants to
        compete for jobs in the environmental
        services field.
        To contribute to building a base of
        indigenous professional expertise within
        communities that are disproportionately
        affected by environmental hazards.
        To empower community residents through
        education and job training to become aware
        of environmental problems and become
        environmental advocates.
                               Methods:
                               •       Recruit participants through employment and
                                      welfare offices, community-based organizations
                                      and programs, and through newspaper
                                      advertisements.
                               •       Assess applicants for reading and math ability,
                                      which must be at a minimum ninth grade level.
                               •       Conduct two, 17 to 20-week, training cycles
                                      that include classroom instruction in
                                      environmental science and applied math, and
                                      OSHA certification.
                               •       Assist participant with job placement in entry-
                                      level positions as environmental technicians or
                                      environmental services specialists.

                               Products/Results:
                               Thirty-three racially diverse students from urban
                               neighborhoods in Boston enrolled in the Environmental
                               Technology program, and 29 completed the training.
                               Twenty-five program graduates were placed into jobs
                               with 17 different employers. Twenty-two of these jobs
                               were in the environmental industry.  The average starting
                               salary of the graduates was $22,770, which represented
                               an average wage gain of $7,000.

                               Succe sses/Streng ths:
                               Jobs for Youth partnered with Suffolk University,
                               Franklin Institute, Roxbury Community College,
                               University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and University of
                               Massachusetts-Boston to provide the highest quality
                               education possible.  The program also benefits from an
                               advisory board made up of local businesses and
                               environmental organization.  Through these and other
                               strong partnerships, Jobs for Youth has been able to
                               place its graduates into competitive environmental
                               services positions. In addition, Jobs for Youth was
                               successful at meeting additional demands of its student
                               body, by providing remedial literacy training, academic
                               tutoring, and counseling as needed.

-------
                     Environmental Justice
                            Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Loco.} Problem-Solving 2*'Edition
                                            REGION 1
                     Merrimack County Air Quality Awareness Project
Grant Number:
EQ981143
Project Coordinator:        \
Anne Campbell
New Hampshire Citizens Alliance
Concord, NH 03301         \
EPA Funding:
$15,000
FY1999
Focus:
Air Quality
Target Audience:
The 11,500 residents of Pembroke and Allenstown,
NH, two towns that are situated downwind from a coal
burning power plant in Bow, NH .

Purpose:
To build community awareness of the potential health
problems associated with living downwind from an
antiquated coal burning power plant by developing
community leaders who will foster community outreach
and develop community problem solving skills, and
improve residents' leadership skills.

Goals:
•       To assist residents in learning more about the
        potential health impact of living downwind
        from a coal burning power plant.

•       To train residents to become leaders in their
        communities in educating others about air
        quality issues and related health impacts.

•       To develop a network of organizations and
        individuals that can facilitate the sharing of
        information and  resources.

•       To develop a community-based organizing
        model to engage residents to investigate the
        impact of suspected environmental
        contaminants.

Methods:
•       Recruited resident community leaders to
        participate in the project through outreach to
        community groups and referrals.

•       Participants collected information about air
        quality problems associated with coal burning
        power plants and created informational
        brochures.
                                 •       Participants conducted an anecdotal health
                                         survey that enabled them to collect
                                         information about air quality in the towns, and
                                         to begin discussions with other residents to
                                         engage them in addressing air quality
                                         concerns.

                                 Pro ducts/Results:
                                 Participants created an educational brochure that they
                                 used to educate other residents about air quality and to
                                 engage them in addressing the potential health
                                 problems associated with the nearby power plant.
                                 Project participants also conducted more than 300
                                 anecdotal surveys, which proved to be a valuable
                                 information tool and served to open up more dialogue
                                 about air quality in the communities. Finally, the
                                 project participants organized a press conference and a
                                 community forum to  discuss the results of their survey.

                                 Successes/Strengths:
                                 All the events coordinated through the project were
                                 incredibly well-received in the community and well
                                 attended by many people including town selectmen,
                                 state representatives  and the media. In addition,
                                 participants reported that over time they developed a
                                 sense of ownership of the project. The effort can be
                                 considered a model for community organizing.
                                                        ###
                                                    10

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving z" Edition
                                           REGION 1
       Neighborhoods Against Urban Pollution: Developing a Greater Boston
Environmental Justice Network
Grant Number:
EQ981075
Project Coordinator:
Penn Loh
Alternatives for Community
and Environment
Roxbury, MA 02119	
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1998
Focus:
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
Residents of low-income and minority neighborhoods
in the greater Boston area.

Purpose:
To build a network of resident-driven environmental
justice groups from across low-income and minority
neighborhoods in Boston, Chelsea, and Sommerville.
The network will enable groups to share resources,
learn from one another, and address regional problems
more effectively.

Goals:
•       Plan and create a greater Boston network of
        organizations that deal with environmental
        justice.

Methods:
•       Conduct outreach and  meet with
        representatives from community-based
        organizations that address environmental
        justice to gather input for proposed network.

•       Recruit organizational members for the
        network and elect a steering committee.

•       Establish and hold regular meetings.

•       Use meetings to identify environmental justice
        initiatives for the network, and follow through
        with a plan of action for each initiative.
                                Products/Results:
                                More than 50 representatives from groups in Roxbury,
                                Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, South End, South
                                Boston, East Boston, Chinatown, Chelsea, and
                                Roslindale participated in three planning meetings for
                                the creation of a greater Boston Environmental Justice
                                Network (GBEJN).

                                The Greater Boston Environmental Justice Network
                                (GBEJN) was officially launched in April, 1999, with
                                25 organizational members.  A steering committee of
                                11 members was elected that met every other month to
                                determine the agenda for full membership meetings.
                                Three quarterly full membership meetings were held
                                and the GBEJN participated in several local and state-
                                wide environmental justice initiatives.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                The GBEJN was instrumental in the passage of new
                                Boston Public Health Commission regulations
                                governing dumpster storage lots, junkyards,  and
                                recycling facilities. The regulations explicitly require
                                the consideration of the cumulative effects of siting.
                                The regulation requires public hearings for proposed
                                facilities and requires public hearings if a facility
                                receives three citations.  The GBEJN has been working
                                to support a new Environmental Justice Designation
                                bill that would designate areas of critical environmental
                                concern to protect communities overburdened by
                                environmental degradation. Other initiatives the
                                GBEJN has concentrated on include opposing the
                                Logan Airport runway expansion and addressing the
                                environmental justice concerns of other new
                                development in Boston.
                                                                              ###
                                                   11

-------
                 Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                 Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2nd Edition
                                   REGION 1
          Waverly Street: Implementing an Urban Environmental Model
Grant Number:        Project Coordinator:          EPA Funding:
EQ981141            Laura Archambault          $15,000
                   Keep Providence Beautiful, Inc.  FY1999
                   Providence, RI02903	|	
Focus:
Environmental
Stewardship
                                        112

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGION 1
             Waverly Street: Implementing an Urban Environmental Model
Grant Number:
EQ981141
Project Coordinator:             EPA Funding:
LauraArchambau.lt              $15,000
Keep Providence Beautiful, Inc.    FY1999
Providence, RI02903
Focus:
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
The predominantly low-income and minority
residents of Waverly Street in the West End of
Providence.

Purpose:
To replicate a neighborhood revitalization project
from Bellevue Avenue in Providence on nearby
Waverly Street, with a focus on adding greenery and
improving solid waste containment.

Goals:
•       Strengthen the Waverly Street Association
        and hold monthly meetings to develop
        agendas that address residents' concerns.

•       Develop a new and improved vision of the
        street.

•       Educate residents about proper solid waste
        disposal.

Methods:
•       Hire a community organizer and a street
        captain to plan meeting and events, thereby
        strengthening the Street Association.
•       Hire a landscape architect to draw plans for
        the new vision of the street.

•       Distribute information on solid waste
        disposal and recycling to residents.
                               Products/Results:
                               Waverly Street residents noticed the aesthetic
                               improvement in its neighboring Bellevue Avenue
                               Street Association had organized with direction from
                               Keep Providence Beautiful (KPB) and wanted to get
                               involved with a similar project. As many as 30
                               Waverly Street residents attended meetings and
                               planned the new vision of their street. The residents
                               also learned about proper solid waste disposal,
                               composting, and the hazards of lead. Residents
                               conducted two street cleanups and planted trees.
                               Successes/Strengths:
                               KPB used its previous success in revitalizing Bellevue
                               Avenue as a model for improving Waverly Street.
                               Rather than simply duplicating its past effort, however,
                               KPB encouraged Waverly Street residents to set their
                               own agenda.  As a result, the Waverly Street Association
                               grew, and KPB proved that the revitalization model
                               could be replicated in other neighborhoods.
                                                      ###
                                                   13

-------
                     Environmental Justice!Small Grants Program
                      Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2"-Edition
                                             REGION 1
Grant Number:
EQ981016
Urban Community Gardening Project
Project Coordinator: EPA Funding:
Lauren Brown , $20,000
New Haven Land Trust ' FY 1997
New Haven, CT 06513
Focus:
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
Residents of low-income neighborhoods throughout
New Haven.

Purpose:
New Haven has one of the highest rates of
unoccupied buildings in the Connecticut area, with
700 units currently considered blighted by the
government. As the city systematically demolishes
these buildings, many vacant lots are left behind. The
purpose of the Urban Community Gardening Project
is to convert vacant lots  into community gardens in
neighborhoods that otherwise lack parks and other
green space. While creating community gardens,
program participants will become more aware of a
variety of environmental issues and will develop a
sense of ownership of their gardens.

Goals:
•       To work with residents and community
        groups to identify vacant lots for community
        gardens and convert them.

•       To educate participants on various aspects of
        organic gardening and environmental issues
        related to vacant lots.

•       To work towards making the community
        gardens sustainable.

Methods:
•       Identify vacant lots for conversion and
        conduct labor-intensive cleanup and site
        preparation for gardens.

•       Present workshops on organic gardening at
        annual Urban Gardening Conference.

•       Present other workshops and provide
        technical assistance as needed to community
        gardeners.
•       Hold two Leadership Development
        Conferences for garden coordinators on
        collaborations, networking, grassroots fund-
        raising, publicity, and organizing a
        community garden.

Products/Results:
New Haven Land Trust (NHLT)worked with 66
community gardens in low-income neighborhoods
through this project, 50 of those were created in
previous years and 16 were created this year.
Gardeners learned about proper trash and toxic
disposal through labor-intensive vacant lot clean-ups
and site preparations. More than  110 people attended
NHLT's annual Urban Gardening Conference where
nine workshops were presented on various aspects of
organic gardening. Many of these workshops were led
by community gardeners themselves. NHLT also
coordinated other hands-on workshops on topics like
raspberry growing, blueberry harvesting, organic pest
control, composting, water conservation, hazardous
waste disposal, and recycling.

Successes/Strengths:
The project created six more community gardens than
originally anticipated. The two Leadership
Development conferences that were held put the
community gardens on the path to sustainability by
providing gardeners with the means to continue the
gardens when the project is over.

                      ###

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                            REGION 2
                                          (NY. NJ. PR.  VI}
                                   Council on the Environment
Grant Number:
EQ982020
Project Coordinator:            EPA Funding:
Cathy Shea                     $14,000
Council on the Environment, Inc.  FY1997
New York, NY 10007          	
Focus:
Training Student Organizers
Target Audience:
African-American, Latino, and Polish high school
and intermediate students who live in the
Greenpoint-Williamsburg section of Brooklyn,
New York. Several industries, including waste
transfer stations, sewage treatment, radioactive
waste transfer facilities are located in this
community.

Purpose:
To increase awareness of environmental issues
and develop the capacity of young people to take
action to resolve environmental problems.

Goals:
•       To increase the dialogue between
        industry, government and non-profit
        technical assistance providers.

•       To build community capacity by
        motivating students to take action to
        reduce industrial toxics.

Methods:
•       Students will monitor air toxics and
        organize action projects to improve the
        air quality in the schools or community.

•       Students will survey and evaluate the use
        of industrial toxics, and the potential for
        replacing toxics (and polluting processes)
        with more environmentally benign
        alternatives.

•       Students will start dialogues with two
        major local polluters and attempt to assist
        them in reducing pollution.

Pro ducts/Results:
•       Students were trained to conduct research
        and investigations relating to the causes,
        effects, prevention and control of air
        pollution.
                                     The pamphlet, "What is in the Air?",
                                     explains how to investigate industrial air
                                     pollution in the neighborhood. The
                                     pamphlet was produced and distributed to
                                     more than 200 students and teachers staff
                                     and more than 100 local residents.

                             •        Students developed a one page flyer
                                     informing the public about the New York
                                     City Department of Environmental
                                     Protection's DEP-HELP hotline for air
                                     quality complaints.

                             •        Ten local industries attended a Pollution
                                     Prevention evening at the local school. They
                                     discussed pollution control systems that
                                     were implemented in their businesses while
                                     still maintaining profitability.

                             Successes/Strengths:
                             The community toxic project addressed
                             improvements in communication and coordination by
                             beginning the first successful large-scale dialogue
                             between industry, residents and pollution prevention
                             technical advisors.
                                                   ,###
                                                    15

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                            REGION 2
                             Long Island Sound Issues Project
                                         Save the Sound
Grant Number:
EQ992841
Project Coordinator:
JohnAtkin
Save the Sound, Inc.
Stamford, CT 06902
EPA Funding:
$19,988
FY1998
Focus:
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
Community leaders and educators from the
Soundview and Hunts Point communities of the South
Bronx, NY.

Purpose:
To help overcome existing inequities related to costal
management, water quality, and sludge treatment in
two coastal South Bronx neighborhoods.

Goals:
•       To build a partnership between a regional
        environmental organization (Save the Sound,
        Inc.), a Bronx-wide environmental
        organization, and community based
        organizations in the targeted areas of Hunts
        Point and Soundview.

•       To plan, implement, publicize, and evaluate
        project activities designed to increase
        awareness  of community leaders and
        residents from Hunts  Point and Soundview
        areas of the South Bronx about issues related
        to the communities' shorelines including its
        solid waste treatment and recycling facilities
        and the water quality  in the East River and
        Long Island Sound.

Methods:
•       Conducted workshops on topics related to
        the East River, Long Island Sound, and solid
        waste disposal for the targeted communities.

•       Trained elementary school teachers in the
        two target communities to incorporate hands-
        on Long Island Sound education into their
        curriculum through 8-hour training
        workshops.

•       Held community-based forums on East
        River, Long Island Sound, and solid  waste
        disposal issues and how they related  to
        community leaders.
                                •       Partnered with community groups for hands-
                                       on, on-site workshop/action projects.

                                Products/Results:
                                •       About 75 residents and community leaders
                                       attended workshops on water quality,
                                       nitrogen reduction from sewage plants, the
                                       local sludge recycling plant, habitat
                                       preservation and restoration,  open space and
                                       access to waterfront

                                •       Approximately 10 local elementary school
                                       teachers and 250 students participated in
                                       hands-on programs about Long Island
                                       Sound's ecology and environmental issues
                                       facing it.

                                •       A workshop on how to initiate a habitat
                                       restoration project, actual habitat restoration,
                                       storm drain stenciling and shoreline clean-up
                                       was attended by 25 community leaders plus
                                       other volunteers for a total audience of more
                                       than 50.

                                Succe sses/Streng ths:
                                Dredging along the waterfront in the Bronx emerged
                                as an issue for Harding Park, while waterfront open
                                space and development was a prime issue in Hunts
                                Point.

                                                     ###
                                                 16

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2nd Edition
                                           REGION 2
                  Neighborhood Environmental Leadership Institute
Grant Number:
EQ992638
Project Coordinator:
Michael E. Clark
Citizens Committee
for New York City
New York, NY 10001
EPA Funding:
$19,974
FY1997
Focus:
Environmental Education/
Stewardship
Target Audience:
Leaders of block, tenant, neighborhood, youth and
other volunteer groups in low-income communities
in the Bronx, NY.

Purpose:
To train grassroots neighborhood leaders from low-
income communities to organize effectively to
address environmental injustices on a local level.

Goals:
•       To train 200 grassroots leaders from low-
        income communities in the Bronx to effect
        positive environmental change in their
        neighborhoods through interactive training
        in environmental issues, leadership skills and
        organizational development.

Methods:
•       Conduct a series of workshops organized
        into three distinct tracks of training, the
        Environmental Track, the Basic Organizing
        Track and the Advanced Organizing track.

•       Offer problem-solving clinics to provide an
        opportunity for program participants to
        network and problem solve together.

Pro ducts/Results:
More than 270 Bronx leaders participated in the
Neighborhood Environmental Leadership Institute.
By attending workshops focused on organizational
development and leadership skills, combined with
advanced training on difficult environmental issues,
these neighborhood leaders acquired the knowledge-
based skills needed to build community capacity to
identify and address environmental justice issues in
the Bronx.
                                Workshops were offered in the following topic areas:
                                lead poisoning; pollutants in home and community;
                                leadership training; public speaking; navigating city
                                government; incorporation and tax-exemption; and
                                program planning for community organizers.

                                Three problem-solving clinics were offered. Through
                                one-on-one meetings, telephone consultations, and
                                distribution of tip sheets and other self-help materials
                                produced by the Citizens Committee, workshop
                                participants received assistance in solving the tough
                                problems they faced in their organizing efforts.

                                A special grant makers forum was conducted to
                                provide neighborhood leaders an opportunity to meet
                                representatives from key foundations and
                                organizations.  Each panelist gave a detailed
                                description of their grant program, and offered
                                guidance on developing successful programs, filling
                                out grant applications and writing proposals.

                                Succe sses/Str eng ths:
                                A detailed survey was developed and mailed to a
                                random sample of participants. Survey respondents
                                indicated that the workshops held through the
                                Neighborhood Environmental Leadership Institute
                                had a positive impact on individuals and
                                neighborhood organizations through out the city.  In
                                all, 87 percent of respondents  indicated that
                                participating in Institute workshops led to positive
                                changes and improvements in  their organizing efforts.

                                                      ###
                                                  17

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
       This page left intentionally blank
                     18

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGIONS
                                (DC. DE. MD, PA, VA. WV)
                          Community Environmental Awareness
                               and Career Education Project
Grant Number:
EQ993931010
Project Coordinator:
Gregory Herbert, Director
Montgomery County Health Department
Division of Environmental Health Sciences
1430 DeKalb Street, P.O. Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404	
EPA Funding:
$18,450
FY1999
Focus
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
Norristown, Pennsylvania area residents, with an
emphasis on teen and pre-teen youths.

Purpose:
To promote a high level of environmental awareness
and understanding among all age groups in the
community of Norristown.

Goals:
•       To enhance the lives of the target audience
        through programs, sponsored by the
        Norristown Carver Center, by having a
        positive effect on self-esteem and life-skill
        development.

Methods:
•       Operated a summer day camp, where
        participants were introduced to various
        environmental issues.

•       Conducted educational programs,  from the
        Montgomery County Health Department, on
        clean air, water, and improved solid waste
        management for program participants and
        local community volunteers

Products/Results:
The Norristown Carver Center directed a summer day
camp for approximately forty neighborhood youths.
Through the aid of the Montgomery County Health
Department staff,  project participants gained
knowledge on environmental issues, the daily
functions and tasks of an Environmental Health
Specialist, and the health services provided by the
agency.
                              Successes/Strengths:
                              Because of the success of its summer program
                              presentations, the Montgomery County Health
                              Department has now established a connection with the
                              Norristown community. An avenue of communication
                              is secured that permits the department to actively meet
                              with the community and promote the services that it
                              offers. Additionally, a partnership is planned with the
                              Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education and
                              environmental clubs in the Norristown school district,
                              in order to expand the environmental education
                              program that currently exists at the Carver Center.

                                                   ####
                                                19

-------
                 Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                 Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving y Edition
                                   REGION 3
          Anacostia River Cleanup Project/Environmental Youth Corp
Grant Number:
EQ99345401
Project Coordinator:
Henry B. Taylor, President
Holding On to Memorable Events
(H.O.M.E) P.O. Box 60347
Washington, D.C. 20039	',
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1997
Focus:
Water quality/
River Cleanup
                                        Before
                                       After
                                        20

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2"< Edition
                                          REGIONS
             Anacostia River Cleanup Project/Environmental Youth Corp
Grant Number:
EQ99345401
Project Coordinator:
Henry B. Taylor, President
Holding On to Memorable Events
(H.O.M.E) P.O. Box 60347
Washington, P.O. 20039	
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1997
Focus:
Water quality/
River Cleanup
Target Audience:
Communities in proximity to Anacostia River and the
selected tributaries: Watts Branch, Hickey Run and
James Creek.

Purpose:
To engage selected communities, university students,
service companies, government and non-government
organizations (NGOs) in clearing excessive amounts
of debris from the Anacostia River and selected
tributaries.

Goals:
•       To increase community awareness about the
        impacts of dumping in local waterways.

•       To clear waterway blockages and increase
        flow through a collaborative removal
        program.

Methods:
•       Organized teams of instructors from Morgan
        State University to teach removal and
        monitoring methods.

•       Assembled more than 80 community
        members  to serve as participants.

•       Formed associations with D.C. FRESH,
        National Park Service, U.S. EPA, African
        American Environmentalist Association,
        Catholic University, D.C. Public Schools,
        D.C. Dept. of Recreation, The La Val
        Corporation, Handon Diving, The Boy
        Scouts of America-Sea Explorers-Ship 547,
        and Sojourner Douglas College to assist in
        the implementation of the program plan.

•       Collaborated with all parties to  effect
        cleanup of river and tributaries known to be
        blocked by excessive amounts of debris.
                               Products/Results:
                               The Anacostia River Cleanup Project/Environmental
                               Youth Corp. was able to successfully remove
                               approximately 95% of the debris from its targeted
                               waterways. This served to significantly increase the
                               water flow and provide aesthetic improvements to the
                               affected areas.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               H.O.M.E. has provided a model that successfully
                               integrates the efforts of local institutions and
                               community residents to perform river quality
                               improvements. The project attracted twice the
                               number of community participants projected. The
                               unexpected level of interest, and the participation of
                               industry and non-industry groups fostered a
                               constructive dialogue around the cleanup program
                               and other local environmental justice issues. By
                               localizing the area of concern, H.O.M.E. has created
                               a network of stakeholders whose future interests will
                               now include the health of resident waterbodies, such
                               as the need for the waterbodies to remain free flowing
                               and the presence of community environmental justice
                               issues.
                                                     ###
                                                 21

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2nd Edition
                                           REGIONS
                   Environmental Justice Technology Center (EJTC)
Grant Number:
EQ99360201
Project Coordinator:
Dr. BabafemiA. Adesanya,
Executive Director
Hampton University
27 W. Queen's Way, Suite 102
Hampton,  VA 23669	
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1998
Focus:
Education/Assessment
and Support
Target Audience:
Southeast End residents of Newport News, VA

Purpose:
To assemble detailed environmental and health data
for dissemination to the public and relevant state
agencies to encourage development of targeted
government programs that can deal with community
environmental justice issues.

Goals:
•       Assist the community in investigating and
        characterizing the environmental health of
        the community.
•       Assist communities in obtaining
        environmental information.
•       Develop a methodology for the community's
        continuing involvement in local
        environmental policy decision-making
        processes.
•       Help to design and implement training
        programs that build capacity among
        community members to promote pollution
        prevention and neighborhood liaison
        activities/initiatives.

Methods:
•       Developed a cooperative arrangement with
        the Department of Environmental Quality to
        conduct environmental toxic release audits
        using their files .
•       Trained team members on the process of
        conducting environmental audits using air,
        water and waste files from the DEQ.
•       Developed a methodology for conducting
        the investigation which included lists of:
        proximate companies,  toxic sites, industry
        outflows, permits, reported violations,
        zoning classifications,  age of homes, health
        and environmental indices and water soil,
        and lead tests.
•       Held "Train-the-Trainer" workshops for the
        community on environmental information,
        CIS and pollution prevention.
                               •       Used volunteers to do a community waste
                                       audit. The primary goal was to develop
                                       community profiles, which included
                                       regionally available data and locally
                                       gathered data.  Supporting data included
                                       information from the EPA and ATSDR
                                       (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
                                       Registry).
                               •       Conducted four environmental education
                                       workshops in the community covering;
                                       general environmental education, sources of
                                       information on pollution and health effects
                                       and indoor pollution prevention.
                               •       Evaluated workshops using pre and post
                                       tests to determine level of participant
                                       understanding and effectiveness of the
                                       programs. Used verbal and written feedback
                                       to ascertain project's worth.

                               Products/Results:
                               The project was able to develop a detailed profile of
                               the Southeast End community's potential pollutants,
                               and its abandoned sites.  It also collected information
                               on indoor air quality.  The data was combined with
                               state and federal figures to present an integrated
                               environmental assessment of the community.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The community assessment successfully drew
                               together different data sources to formulate a baseline
                               profile of the Southeast End area. By educating the
                               residents and communicating the data to them, the
                               level of discourse on the regional environmental
                               issues was elevated.  State and local governments
                               were included in the information sharing, in hopes  of
                               impelling programmatic changes that would benefit
                               the Southeast Environmental community. Educating
                               the community was key. It empowered the residents
                               to engage in a more scientific evaluation of their
                               residential plight and enabled them to ask the
                               appropriate questions  of officials who will determine
                               the fate of town's environmental future.
                                                     ###
                                                 22

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGIONS
                         Get the Lead Out Environmental Justice
                                    Empowerment Project
Grant Number:
EQ993932010
Project Coordinator:
Ruth Ann Norton, Executive Director
Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning
2714 Hudson Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
EPA Funding:   Focus:
$20,000         Lead Hazards
FY1999         and Poisoning
Target Audience:
High risk communities for lead hazards and lead
poisoning in Baltimore City, Maryland, specifically
the communities of Sand town-Winchester, Middle
East, and Park Heights.

Purpose:
To empower communities to utilize lead prevention
resources such as; tenant's legal and housing rights,
housing relocation resources, grants, loans, HEPA-
vacuums, free lead dust cleaning kits and educational
resources to promote lead poisoning prevention
efforts.

Goals:
•       To increase awareness of the risks of lead
        poisoning through environmental education
        and legal rights training.

•       To increase access to resources and
        prevention information in the communities at
        highest risk for lead poisoning.

Methods:
•       Established Community Lead Poising
        Prevention Resource Centers, accessible on
        a walk-in basis, in areas of significant need.

•       Expanded upon a current HEP A-vacuum
        loan program, which provides low-income
        home owners with free access to otherwise
        expensive HEPA-vacuums that capture
        minute lead particles and dust.

•       Facilitated an all-day Parent Lead Forum,
        where community residents were trained in
        the causes and effects of lead poisoning and
        the prevention resources available to them.

        Distributed lead-specific cleaning kits to
        members of the target audience.
                               Products/Results:
                               "Get the Lead Out!" established three Community
                               Lead Poisoning Resource Centers, serving as "one-
                               stop-shops" for parents, property owners, service
                               providers, and community residents to learn about
                               lead poisoning, testing, risk awareness and prevention
                               resources and tools. These centers provide
                               information about the HEPA-vacuum loan program,
                               whose inventory was increased during FY 1999
                               through the purchase of three HEPA-vacuums and the
                               filters and bags needed to run the vacuums for one
                               year.  A total of 58 community residents and 24
                               community organizations representatives attended the
                               "Get the Lead Out!" Parent Lead Forum where 146
                               lead-specific cleaning kits were distributed to low-
                               income families.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               Thanks in part to the "Get the Lead Out!" program,
                               the City of Baltimore, Maryland has taken a proactive
                               stance on the issue of lead poisoning eradication. Via
                               its outreach and empowerment successes, the project
                               laid the groundwork for an ongoing blood lead testing
                               education  campaign and the adoption of a universal
                               blood lead testing law in Baltimore City for  all one
                               and two year old children.  Most important, however,
                               is the program amplified the voice of community
                               advocacy on lead and provided greater access to the
                               use of legal and housing rights related to lead hazards
                               to the target audience.

                                                     ###
                                                 23

-------
                    Environmental Justice; Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGIONS
                  KidsGrow: An Empowerment Stewardship Program
Grant Number:
EQ993927010
Project Coordinator:
Jacqueline M. Carrera,
Parks & People Foundation
1901 Eagle Drive
Baltimore, MD 21207
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1999
Focus:
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
Baltimore City, Maryland youth, families, and
communities.

Purpose:
To equip urban youth with the knowledge and
practical skills needed, in order to become
environmental activists in their own neighborhoods.

Goals:
•       Assist the target audience to: understand
        ecological concepts; gain awareness of
        environmental issues and values; participate
        in outdoor activities that they would not
        otherwise experience; become proficient in
        scientific investigation and critical thinking;
        acquire the skills needed for effective action
        and to enjoy undertaking community
        projects.

Methods:
•       Developed year-round classroom and
        outdoor instruction for Baltimore City
        elementary and  middle school students,
        which emphasized hands-on environmental
        programs and reading skills enhancement.

•       Produced newsletters for the parents of
        project participants and community
        members, in order to inform them of the
        students' activities, as well as increase their
        general level of environmental awareness.

Products/Results:
KidsGrow delivered 15 hours of program instruction
each week during the 1998-1999 school year for 40-
60 students. The project also provided 210 hours of
instruction for 40 students during a 1999 summer
camp program. Nutritious snack and/or lunches were
prepared and distributed every day, via a staff student
ration of 1:10.  Local environmental problems were
identified and solutions to these problems were
designed. Educational newsletters were published,
which displayed highlights of KidsGrow program
activities.
                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The FY 1999 KidsGrow curriculum focused on the
                               issue of lead poisoning. Aided by materials prepared
                               by the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning,
                               project participants discovered an area in their
                               community in which residents were living in houses
                               designated as "lead paint hazards."  Both shocked and
                               inspired by this situation, the students decided to
                               create a model of how these houses could be
                               detoxified of lead and rehabilitated. Further
                               development of this project will be pursued in the
                               future.

                                                    ###
                                                 24

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-* Edition
                                           REGIONS
Grant Number:
EQ99359801
       Mattaponi Heritage Foundation

Project Coordinator:                    EPA Funding:
Carl Custalow, Director                  $20,000
Mattaponi Heritage Foundation           FY1998
1467 Mattaponi Reservation Circle
West Point, VA 23181
Focus:
Water Quality Monitoring
Target Audience:
Mattaponi Indian Reservation

Purpose:
To protect against threats to the tribe's livelihood by
assessing and monitoring river and groundwater
testing.
Goals:
        To use water quality testing as a means of
        determining the effects of surrounding
        development on the Reservation's water
Methods:
•       Created partnerships with the Virginia
        Institute of Marine Science and the Alliance
        for the Chesapeake Bay as consulting and
        training resources.

•       Residents received testing process training.
        and equipment.

•       Tested water parameters every week for one
        year and logged results into the Reservation
        computer database for annual comparison
        with future testing, following the procedures
        for proper river water testing, groundwater
        testing, and quality control.

•       Created a multimedia presentation to
        describe and to document testing activities.

Products/Results:
The project resulted in a consistent data set
quantifying the following water parameters:
temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, salinity and
pH.

Additionally, at the time samples were taken, the
following ambient environmental conditions were
also logged; speed and direction of the wind, cloud
cover, tidal stage, air temperature and any anomalous
conditions.
                                Successes/Strengths:
                                The Mattaponi have taken a proactive scientific
                                approach to quantify the effects of encroaching
                                development on their land. Training and eventual
                                testing will give them a baseline account of their
                                watershed's health and allow them ample time to
                                respond to any potentially destructive influences
                                emanating from outside their reservation. They have
                                increased local knowledge of scientific processes and
                                parameters while securing partnerships with local
                                institutions to aid in their fight to maintain a pristine
                                environment and to control the assets guaranteed  by
                                treaty.
                                                     ###
                                                 25

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
 Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving
                                                                           Edition
                                           REGIONS
                Palmer Park Neighborhood Action  (PPNAP) Program
Grant Number:
EQ99344501
   Project Coordinator:
   Sylvester Vaughns, President
   Palmer Park Neighborhood
   Action Partnership, Inc.
   7617 GreenleafRd
   Palmer Park, MD 20785
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1997
Focus:
Watershed education/
restoration
Target Audience:
Palmer Park community residents

Purpose:
To improve local watershed conditions through
resident education, site remediation and damage
prevention Using the efforts of community members.

Goals:
•       Restoration of the health and beauty of the
        community's creek.

•       Improvement of water-related infrastructure

•       Education of residents on watershed issues
        and impacts to community.

Methods:
•       Held instructional sessions covering a wide
        range of topics including: polluters of the
        Potomac river, habitat assessment,
        watershed concepts, benthic organism
        identification, tidal wetlands, aquatic
        farming, river histories, bird and plant
        identification, stream surveys, Native
        American artifacts, tidal marshes, forest
        buffers, wetlands, and impacts of humans
        and land use on water quality.

•       Utilized a variety of teaching methods
        including: nature hikes, presentations, canoe
        rides, meetings and slide shows.

•       Employed the services of foundations,
        nature guides, project groups, non-
        government organizations (NGOs) and
        others to aid in the distribution of
        information to program participants.  The
        different groups accommodated the program
        by tailoring their presentations to fit the
        goals of PPNAP's project.
                                  •       Held remediation sessions for volunteers to
                                          remove debris from streams, record amounts
                                          of trash present in streams, plant trees and
                                          mark storm drains.

                                  Pro ducts/Results:
                                  PPNAP effectively educated more than 310 people,
                                  held 20 project, presentation, training and field trip
                                  sessions, and stenciled all the community storm
                                  drains (121) with the message, "DON'T DUMP -
                                  ANACOSTIA RIVER DRAINAGE".  They removed
                                  approximately 1.5 tons of trash from the local stream
                                  and planted 100 trees.

                                  Successes/Strengths:
                                  PPNAP organized a diverse set of activities to
                                  facilitate the education of its residents, cleanup of its
                                  streams, prevention of further harmful activities and
                                  communication of its local organizations. The plan
                                  succeeded by choosing educational sessions and trips
                                  that were most helpful to the watershed and to the
                                  residents.  It prompted the State Department of
                                  Natural Resources Forestry Division and the Prince
                                  George's County Department of Natural Resources to
                                  commit to continuing the expansion of the forest
                                  buffer along the stream by planting more trees.
                                  Additionally, the Maryland-National Capital Park and
                                  Planning Commission began to study methods for
                                  providing landscape quality street trees to the main
                                  streets in Palmer Park.

                                                        ###
                                                  26

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                      Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-'Edition
                                           REGIONS
                   Participatory Urban Assessment (PUA) Handbook
Grant Number:
EQ99344701
Project Coordinator:
Paul Jahnige
Community Resources
5131 Wetheredsville Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21207
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1997
Focus:
Environmental Stewardship
Target Audience:
Urban community residents and professionals around
the country.

Purpose:
To create a handbook useful for assessing
environmental and social information that is typically
used to describe communities.

Goals:
•       To develop a simple, field-appropriate
        participatory urban appraisal method that
        will allow community residents to gather
        high quality information about their
        community's environmental and social
        conditions.

•       To select an interdisciplinary team of about
        twenty residents, academic environmental
        professionals and community development
        professionals to develop the manual.

•       Field test the method with residents and
        local professionals in two inner-city
        communities.

        Develop a PUA Handbook that can be used
        as a model by community residents and
        professionals in cities around the country.

Methods:
•       Engaged in a literary search on the topics of
        urban planning, visioning, environmental
        assessment, rapid rural appraisal, and
        technical data collection methods and
        models.

•       Held two workshops to form definitions and
        procedural strategies.

•       Drafted a PUA  methodology to be used by
        urban community leaders and environmental
        professionals and had it reviewed and
        revised by members of the PUA team.
                                •       Field tested the manual in three separate
                                       urban communities. Worked with ten youth
                                       and adult residents in each community over
                                       a period of eight weeks.

                                •       Assessed testing outcomes.

                                Products/Results:
                                Community Resources' efforts culminated in a
                                handbook that will give its users a simple
                                methodology for conducting field assessments of their
                                communities.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                This project is unique in that it provides a model
                                structure so that urban minority and disadvantaged
                                communities around the country will be able to
                                collect, interpret and control environmental and social
                                data about their own regions. The project employed
                                an interdisciplinary, multicultural team to bring
                                together community residents and local professionals
                                on an equal footing in creating an information
                                retrieval method. It will motivate the general public
                                to be more conscious of their local EJ issues and
                                involve community residents in the assimilation and
                                understanding of data concerning their living areas.
                                                     ###
                                                 27

-------
Environmental Justice
Small Grants Program
Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving 2"" Edition
      This page left intentionally blank
                     28

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                         REGION 4
                            (AL. FL. GA. KY. MS. NC. SC. TN)
                        Appalachia-Science in the Public Interest
Grant Number:
EQ 984785
Project Coordinator:
Dr. Albert Fritsch, Director
50 Lair Street
Mt. Vernon, KY 40456
EPA Funding:
$10,000
FY1999
Focus:
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
Low-income Appalachians in some of the poorest
counties in America (five of the poorest are within 50
miles of Appalachia-Science in the Public Interest
(AS PI) in eastern Kentucky.

Purpose:
ASPI seeks to make science and technology
responsive to the needs of the lower-income people of
Appalachia through environmental education and
publicity. This project will address the problems of
waste management caused by illegal solid waste
dumping and straight pipes  which go directly from
bathroom commodes to nearby streams.

Goals:
•       Identify waste mismanagement cases which
        could be  solved by better technical
        information and policy changes.

•       Teach alternatives to utilizing straight pipe
        which attribute to the seriously polluted
        creek.

Methods:
•       Survey and educate the target community on
        solid waste management practices in the
        area.

•       Conduct workshops on building dry compost
        toilets and terraced artificial wetlands in
        areas unsuited for septic systems, and where
        people of low economic means have the
        building skills to construct these devices.
                              Products/Results:
                              Developed a publicity program through on-site visits
                              to each of the targeted counties. Heightened
                              awareness of pollution prevention measures in
                              Kentucky at a very critical period in its water and
                              solid waste management campaigns. Organized and
                              performed dry composting toilet/artificial wetland
                              workshops in Harlan, Laurel and Rockcastle
                              Counties. Developed and distributed a brochure,
                               "Ten Reasons for Installing Dry Composting
                              Toilets," to 4,500 persons.
                              Success/Strengths:
                              State officials are now attentive and a wide range of
                              people are talking about these viable alternatives for
                              solid waste disposal at conferences, in personal
                              conversations and in the media. The workshops were
                              successful with 200 attendees over the six days of the
                              two workshop series.
                                                   ###
                                                29

-------
                 Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                 Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-* Edition
                                  REGION 4
Grant Number:
EQ984593
                        Associate of Filipino-Americans
Project Coordinator:
Bernadette Hudnell
517 Center Avenue
Philadelphia, MS 39350
EPA Funding:
FY1998
$20,000
Focus:
Pollution Prevention
                                        30

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 4
                              Associate of Filipino-Americans
Grant Number:
EQ984593
Project Coordinator:
Bernadette Hudnell
517 Center Avenue
Philadelphia, MS 39350
EPA Funding:
FY1998
$20,000
Focus:
Pollution Prevention
Target Audience:
Low income and disadvantaged families in Kemper
County, MS; especially school students at Kemper
County School District whose student population is
approximately 95% African-American.

Purpose:
To promote hands-on training, and public education
programs related to Pollution Prevention among
low-income and disadvantaged families in Kemper
County, MS.
Goals
        Promote recycling project at local school.

        To organize a "Pollution Prevention
        Team" consisting of representatives from
        various groups to address local
        environmental justice problems, enhance
        critical thinking, problem-solving and
        ensure active participation of members of
        disadvantaged groups in Kemper County.
Methods
        Initiate a recycling project at the Kemper
        County Elementary School.  The students
        also, developed and distributed a brochure
        explaining the importance of proper
        disposal of solid waste, outlining the
        advantage of recycling.

        Conducted a "train-the-trainer" workshop
        with teachers, students and community
        members. Experts in the field assisted  in
        conducting the workshop, training
        participants and providing outreach
        workers with pollution  prevention
        techniques.

        Three other workshops were held to
        educate the community about toxic
        substances, primarily lead poisoning
        prevention among children.
                              Products/Results:
                              The target audience is aware and knowledgeable about
                              solid waste reduction and recycling. They are aware
                              of toxic chemicals/materials and how improper use and
                              disposal of these chemicals can lead to environmental
                              pollution.  They are better able to recognize pollution
                              sources in their environment, change practices in their
                              daily lives, improve the quality of the environment in
                              which they live, thus protecting the environment and
                              promoting public health.

                              Successes/Strengths:
                              As a result of the education and training, the citizens of
                              Kemper County, MS are able to make informed
                              decisions about how pollution problems can be
                              resolved.  The implementation of a paper recycling
                              project at the Kemper County Elementary School and
                              development of a recycling brochure has empowered
                              the students to become better stewards of the
                              environment.

                                                    ####
                                                 31

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 4
                      Coalition United to Restore the Environment
Grant Number:
EQ984587
Project Coordinator:
Carrie Mitchell
P.O. Box 423
Atalla, AL 35954
EPA Funding:
FY1998
$20,000
Focus:
Wellhead Protection Studies
Target Audience:
The Town of Ridgeville, Alabama, a disadvantaged,
low income, minority community.

Purpose:
To conduct wellhead protection studies to determine
the geologic and hydrogeologic setting of the aquifer,
identify potential contaminant sources, and prepare a
management plan in an effort to prevent the aquifer
from being impacted.
Goals
        To increase public awareness of
        environmental justice issues in addition to
        satisfying Alabama Department of
        Environmental Management (ADEM)
        wellhead protection requirements.

        Dissemination of complex geological and
        environmental data in a manner that is
        understandable to the general public.
Methods
        Hold public meetings to present the
        Management Plan concept and findings from
        the wellhead protection study.

        Distribution of mailers and flyers to all
        households located within the delineated
        wellhead protection boundaries and door-to-
        door canvassing to explain the importance of
        wellhead protection.

        Advertisement in local newspapers
        presenting the concept.

        Invitation to representatives of ADEM,
        Alabama Rural Water Association, and other
        agencies and organizations to become
        involved in the Management Plan process.

        Research the types of wastes disposed of in
        the landfill and the relationship between the
        aquifer beneath the landfill to the aquifer in
        which the municipal well is installed.
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               A progress report from a geological consultant
                               trained to conduct the technical portions of the
                               project. A project journal which includes information
                               from all public meetings, project goals and
                               milestones, discussion of responsibilities, and
                               progress of the project. A final Management Plan to
                               ADEM for approval within 12 months of
                               implementation.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The benefits of this program include increased public
                               awareness of environmental justice issues in addition
                               to satisfying ADEM wellhead protection
                               requirements. The major challenge involved
                               disseminating complex geological and environmental
                               data in a manner that is understandable to the general
                               public.
                                                     ###
                                                 32

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGION 4
                                Community Against Pollution
Grant Number:
EQ 984782
Project Coordinator:
David Baker, President
1012 West 16th Street
Anniston, AL 36201
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1999
Focus:
PCS Contamination
Target Audience:
Residents of West Anniston. West Anniston is home
to approximately 8,000 people, of which 80%  are
African-American.  This is a working class and low-
income area.

Purpose:
The community is faced with an industry that
produced various chemicals and products for more
than 40 years which resulted in extensive
polychlorinated bipenyls (PCBs) contamination in the
area. The project will research the effect of PCBs in
the West Anniston community.

Goals:
•       Research the current health status of
        residents of West Anniston, and  inform the
        residents of the various environmental
        results.

•       Involve the residents of West Anniston in
        the development of strategies to address and
        stop the  various environmental assaults that
        are present.

Methods:
•       Conducted house-to-house surveys and
        collect relative data on sources of
        contamination.

•       Held community forums  and public
        information activities such as interviews on
        radio and cable television programs
        regarding the health affects of PCBs.

Pro ducts/Results:
Completed approximately 1,000 health surveys while
directing residents to local hospitals for testing and
treatment.  Participated with government agencies in
assessment, remedial design and cleanup of PCB
contamination.  Conducted community awareness
meetings to inform residents of the processes used
when solid waste  is  incinerated, placed in landfills,
and when it is recycled. There are actual and
potential threats of-airand ground water
contamination by all three methods.
                               Participated in several large, citywide meetings with
                               EPA/ATSDR to bring the community up-to-date on
                               cleanup, enforcement and other pertinent information.

                               Succe ss/Streng ths:
                               The Community Against Pollution brought national
                               attention to the problem of PCB contamination.
                               There were meetings with Governor Don Seigelman
                               and Congressman B ob Riley regarding the issue.  The .
                               project demonstrated the problems in Anniston to the
                               National Environmental Justice Advisory Council by
                               organizing a tour during the national meeting in June
                               2000. During the research of this project it was
                               discovered that the West Anniston community also
                               has a problem with lead contamination.
                                                 33

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2nd Edition
                                          REGION 4
               Environmental & Community Health Organization, Inc.
Grant Number:
EQ 984787
Project Coordinator:
Susan Patton
4956 Pritchard Lane
Independence, KY 41051
EPA Funding:
$25,000
FY1999
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
The Yellow Creek Community in  Kentucky. The
area is rural and low-income.

Purpose:
This project is to research the relationship between
environmental hazards and the health of the
community in Yellow Creek. The results will be
analyzed and made available to the community
residents and decision-makers. The community's
water supply and their environmental surroundings
were contaminated by several identified toxic
chemicals.

Goals:
•       Identify and involve all stakeholders,
        including existing community-
        based/grassroots organizational and local,
        state, and federal environmental programs.

•       Hold community health education
        workshops to identify health effects, plan for
        future health care, and develop plans for the
        health assessments.

•       Interview participants for the health
        assessments and produce reports.

•       Develop an educational brochure around the
        historical environmental exposure and the
        health assessment.

Methods:
•       Develop a community leadership committee
        to coordinate the local logistics and to be the
        contact during the health assessment
        process.

•       Hold two community awareness workshops
        to discuss the health assessment project
        approach of community involvement and
        historical environmental exposure.

•       Conduct community health assessments.

*       Report results to the community and
        distribute brochures.
                               Products/Results:
                               Conducted 104 health assessments of participants that
                               lived within the watershed of Yellow Creek.
                               The interviews included 43 males and 61 females.
                               Ages raged from newborn to more than 90 years.
                               Developed a brochure called "Community Health
                               Assessment Project in Yellow Creek, Kentucky. " This
                               publication is the result of the preliminary
                               assessments.

                               Success/Strengths:
                               The most important aspect of this work is that the
                               community, through its heavy involvement in all
                               aspects of the project, trusts the outcome. One
                               benefit is that the project has now developed a
                               prototype for community-based health assessment
                               research.

                                                    ####
                                                 34

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGION 4
                      Farmworker Association of Florida (FWAF)
Grant Number:
EQ 984783-99-0
Project Coordinator:
Sister Gail Grimes
Administrator
815 S. Park Avenue
Apopka, FL 32707
EPA Funding:
$15,000
FY1999
Focus:
Farmworker Safety
Standards
Target Audience:
The multi ethnic, farmworker communities of Central
and South Florida, composed mostly of Hispanic,
Haitian and African-American agricultural workers.

Purpose:
To address the disproportionately high exposure to
pesticides and other workplace health and safety
hazards among farmworkers in Central and Southern
Florida.

Goals:
•       Involve farmworkers  in identifying health
        problems which they  experience in the
        workplace, and report cases of pesticide
        illnesses.

•       Conduct training for pesticide handlers who
        have not received training.

Methods:
•       Document chemicals  used on crops and
        develop new crop sheets in collaboration
        with the state Bureau  of Pesticides.

•       Conduct monthly workplace diagnostics
        and/or EPA certified pesticide training with
        50 farmworkers.

•       Educate farmworkers on EPA Worker
        Protection Standards, Field Sanitation, the
        Florida Right-to-Know law, and other
        workplace safety laws.

•       Maintain  EPA-certified trainers on
        pesticides, field sanitation, mapping,
        pesticide handlers and other workplace
        hazards for farmworkers.

•       Collaborate with state office to revise
        standards  for pesticide poisoning reporting.
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               Conducted thirty-three pesticide training session,
                               instructing 451 farmworkers in Central and Southern
                               Florida. Those trained have been able to identify
                               violations and complete diagnostics and surveys on
                               companies where violations were identified.

                               Success/Strengths:
                               Farmworkers, who have received the pesticide and
                               field sanitation training through FWAF have become
                               more aware of violations and of symptoms of
                               pesticide poisoning.  Evaluation of the program has
                               been positive based on the participation of the
                               famworkers at meetings and in training. The
                               additional training has resulted in more inspections of
                               companies with violations.
                                                    ####
                                                 35

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGION  4
Grant Number:
EQ984589
Justice Resource Center
Project Coordinator: Funding:
Rev. Louis Coleman FY 1998
3810 Garland Avenue $20,000
Louisville, KY 402 11
Focus:
Environmental Stewardship
Target Audience:
The West End of Louisville which is 80% African
American and low-income.

Purpose:
To support leadership development in the West End
of Louisville to identify, prioritize and respond to
environmental risks.
Goals
        Inform and share information with local
        activists, community organization board
        members, Sunday School teachers and
        ultimately the community about
        environmental contamination, risks, threats,
        and effects.

        Study the relationship between
        environmental exposure and environmental
        disease.

        Use the Geographic Information System
        (GIS) to map sources of environmental
        pollution exposure and public environmental
        health information.
Pro ducts/Results:
Disseminated information to approximately 300
proactive participants.  These individuals developed
an active interest in the environment, volunteering in
demonstrations to reduce the pollution and emissions
that were coming from various industries and
factories in Rubbertown. Surveys were developed
and information gathered that will assist in planning
the objectives to reduce negative health hazards in the
area.

Succe sses/Str engths:
The project enabled the community to have fence line
monitors placed in various locations throughout the
Rubbertown area.  The project was successful in
getting an oil refinery to demolish and clean up an
unused facility in the area thereby reducing the
hazards to the water supply. This project enabled the
West End community residents to develop  systematic
approaches to addressing their own
environmental problems without relying exclusively
on governmental agencies.

                      ####
Methods
        Conduct bi-weekly training sessions to
        inform and share information with residents
        of the West End of Louisville.

        Train workshop participants in the proper
        methods of obtaining soil samples and how
        to use and obtain information from the
        Access Environmental Monitoring System.

        Survey community on the negative health
        hazards in the area.

        Conduct two public information meetings,
        one will address air pollution and health and
        the other will address hazardous waste sites
        and birth defects, developmental disabilities,
        mental retardation and cancer.
                                                  36

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 4
Grant Number:
EQ 984781-99-0
         Neighborhood Services, Inc.

Project Coordinator:             EPA Funding:
Ray anthnee U.Patterson         $14,000
700 8th Avenue, West             FY1999
Birmingham (Jefferson), AL 35204         	
Focus:
Lead Poisoning
Target Audience:
The parents and care givers of young children located
in a geographic area of the city of Birmingham,
Alabama. The community is African American and
low-income.

Purpose:
To address the lingering problem of lead poisoning in
African American children in low income families,
with an emphasis on exposure in the home or child
care setting.

Goals:
•       Study the health effects of lead in household
        products (i.e., lead based paint) and the
        health effect of airborne lead emissions on
        all children in the community.

•       Develop and implement a multi media lead
        information campaign. This will include
        radio and television public service
        announcements, print media, and an
        information pamphlet geared to the
        Birmingham audience.

Methods:
•       Conduct community Lead Awareness
        Seminars.

•       Work with the Jefferson County Health
        Department to conduct site-visits and
        screen/test children under the age of six for
        elevated blood lead levels.

•       Assisted community members with cleaning
        and repairing of the homes where lead
        hazards were found.

•       Conduct Lead Safe Practices Seminar with
        community residents.
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               Implemented a Lead Community Awareness Seminar
                               in the Woodlawn Neighborhood. Parents were
                               trained in the proper techniques for cleaning the home
                               and assisting with the elimination of lead hazards.
                               Forty children were tested for elevated blood lead
                               levels. Culturally friendly pamphlets and other
                               materials on lead safety were created.
                               Eighteen, two-day, Lead Safety Seminars were
                               presented to the community residents. One of the
                               seminars was a "train the trainer" seminar designed to
                               train and equip residents with the knowledge to train
                               others in Lead Safe Practices. A total of 108
                               residents has been trained.  An information packet
                               for pediatric doctors and nurses was developed and
                               distributed and meetings were scheduled with each
                               for follow-up.

                               Succe ss/Streng ths:
                               Worked with Birmingham News, CNN and others, on
                               several news articles and a documentary on lead
                               poisoning and its prevention.  Established a lead
                               hotline. Birmingham has been chosen as a pilot
                               under the Alliance to End Childhood Lead Poisonings
                                "The Promise of Environmental Sampling and Righ-
                               To-Knowfor Communities at Risk" Program.

                                                     ####
                                                 37

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                      Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
REGION 4
Grant Number!
EQ984588
Tennessee Valley RC&D, Co.
Project Coordinator: Funding: Focus:
R. Michael Roden FY 1998 Radon
4511 US Hwy. 31, South $20,000
Decatur, AL 35603
Target Audience:
Minorities in an eight-county region of north
Alabama; specifically, Hispanic immigrants, African
Americans, and Native Americans.

Purpose:
To educate the residents of North Alabama who are at
risk from radon and other occupational related
environmental hazards.

Goals
•       Provide educational information and training
        on the health problems associated radon.

•       Focus on reducing the risks associated with
        environmental hazards and how and where
        to access assistance for those with health
        problems.

Methods:
•       Utilization of the Indian American
        Education (IAE) group, and other existing
        minority associations and  groups to provide
        the forums for the delivery of this
        educational effort

•       Utilization of a web site provided by IAE to
        participate in their distance learning effort
        to reach ten states and seven countries.

•       Communications in both English and
        Spanish, focusing on reducing the risks
        associated with environmental hazards and
        how/where to access assistance  for those
        with health problems.
Products/Results:
Conducted educational programs in communities
located in an eight-county region of north Alabama.
Developed, printed and distributed environmental and
health brochures. Increased environmental and health
awareness in minority populations.  Increased the
minority population's awareness of where and how to
access help.


Successes/Strengths:
Environmental concepts and norms, that have
previously been low priority in this segment of north
Alabama's population, will be institutionalized.
Awareness of environmental health is increased .
Developed a brochure called "Water Quality: How it
Works " in both English and Spanish. Developed a
child's workbook on environmental awareness called
"Squinty Flinty" in both English and Spanish.
Tennessee Valley Resource Conservation and
Development  (RC&D) won 1st Place for their
outstanding educational display at The U.S. EPA Tri-
Regional Meeting (September 1999).

                      ###
                                                  38

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2°* Edition
                                          REGION 5
                                  (IL. IN. ML MN. OH.  WI)
                              Carver Community Organization
Grant Number:
EQ97512101
Project Coordinator:
Mr. David Wagner
400 S.E. 8th Street
Evansville, IN 47713
EPA Funding:
$15,000
FY1999
Focus:
Environmental Education
Target Audience:
The primarily low-income, African-American
neighborhoods of Bellemeade-Bayard Park, Canal
and Ballard, Evansville, Indiana. This area contains
some of the oldest housing stock in the State of
Indiana.

Purpose: To establish an Environmental Justice
Resource center which would provide a centralized
clearinghouse for education, research and
environmental information. The Center will have a
readily accessible body of information to enhance the
community's understanding of environmental
indicators and data, children's health information and
would include an ozone/water quality database
exchange program which identifies stationary sources
of pollution utilizing an  interactive database program.
Goals:
        To establish an Environmental Justice
        Resource Center (EJRC)in the community.

        To train local community members to utilize
        available data sources.

        To identify areas of environmental justice
        concern by integrating demographic and
        environmental information and
        disseminating it in plain English.
Methods
        Established an Environmental Justice
        Resource Center (EJRC) with CD programs
        which include linkages to EJ resource
        centers and databases throughout the State of
        Indiana and the U.S.

        Environmental education, outreach and
        public participation: Forward Leadership
        and Enhanced Assistance Program (LEAP)
        Workshop

        An outdoor laboratory field study was
        conducted in partnership with the University
        of Southern Indiana (USI).
                               Products/Results:
                               The EJRC provides ongoing assistance to residents
                               including formalized structured training formats in
                               plain language.  The Carver's After School Program
                               hosts over 200 children regularly at the EJRC.
                               Sixteen representatives of six different Community
                               Based Organizations (CBOs) and neighborhood
                               associations attended the Forward Leadership and
                               Enhanced Assistance Program (LEAP) Workshop.
                               The classroom training and field trips involved over
                               90 middle and grade school student participants.
                               Monthly meetings of 12 CBOs were conducted.
                               Seventeen minority middle school students along with
                               20 USI volunteer biology and toxicology students
                               participated.  The college students served as mentors
                               to the youth.

                               Success/Strenths:
                               As a result of the project, residents understand the
                               negative impact of many environmental problems.
                               Ongoing assistance, training and  education empower
                               the community. Access has been provided to
                               environmental information in plain English to both
                               adult and youth.  Developed a "Children's
                               Environmental Health Resource Guide" with input
                               from the Indiana Department of Environmental
                               Management, Vanderburgh County Public Health
                               Department, Evansville Community Health
                               Organization (ECHO) Community Health Clinic,
                               Community Action Program (CAP) of Evansville,
                               Vanderburgh Minority Health Coalition and
                               Environkinetics, which teaches parents how to protect
                               their children's environment.
                                                     ###
                                                  39

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                      Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-'Edition
                                           REGIONS
                                      Earth Day Coalition
Grant Number:
EQ975123Q1
Project Coordinator:
Ms. Anjdli Mathur
3606 Bridge Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
EPA Funding:
$15,000
FY2000
Focus:
Environmental Education
Target Audience:
Low-income and minority neighborhoods of Lee
Seville Miles, Lee Harvard, St. Clair Superior and
Glcnview in Cleveland, Ohio.

Purpose:
To deliver a set of environmental problem solving
training modules designed to create a critical thinking
framework in community residents and leaders in four
target neighborhoods. These training modules focus
on environmental justice and sustainability,
environmental problem solving and risk assessment,
environmental regulations and information access,
and the use of the internet as an information resource.

Goals:
•       To provide training to local residents via
        environmental workshops.
*       To implement outreach activities for the
        Sustainable Cleveland Environmental Health
        Action Guide among neighborhood
        organizations media communication.

Methods:
*       The Earth Day Coalition (EDC) designed
        and delivered training sessions on the basics
        of environmental justice and community-
        based environmental problem-solving.
•       Workshops were conducted which included
        interactive exercises and internet-based
        training. Computer demonstrations included
        "The Chemical Scorecard," Envirofacts,
        Enviromapper and the Toxic Release
        Inventory (TRI).
•       Community outreach was conducted using
        an extensive database of schools and
        churches. Over 2,700 copies of the "Action
        Guide" were distributed to students in local
        Catholic schools and area residents.
•       Outreach was conducted for 1,000 children
        participating at Camp Forbes, a summer
        initiative for 9-12 year olds from the City of
        Cleveland's Department of Parks and
        Recreation
•       Outreach was conducted at a day-long event
        for 9-12 year olds through the Interreligious
                                       Committee on the Environment and the
                                       Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Classroom
                                       presentations were conducted throughout
                                       area schools.
                                •        National outreach was achieved at the
                                       Right-To-Know conference co-sponsored by
                                       National Environmental Health Association
                                       (NEHA) and U.S. EPA.
                                •       Media outreach for the "Action Guide" was
                                       conducted through print and broadcast
                                       media.

                                Products/Results:
                                A discussion on the project and the role of the
                                "Action Guide" in community empowerment was
                                featured throughout April 2000 on Cox, Cablevision,
                                Tri-C and Lorain TV stations.  Cleveland's feminist
                                newspaper "What She Wants" featured a full-page
                                article entitled "Women's Health and the Need for
                                Environmental Health Access" in their January 2000
                                issue. An article entitled "Clean Environment,
                                Healthy Communities: You can Make a Difference"
                                was published by the Lee Harvard Times and the St.
                                Clair-Superior News. Five EDC newsletters
                                advertised the availability of free hard copy versions
                                of the "Action Guide" and the internet version at
                                www. earthdaycoalition. org.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                This project is a successful model for other
                                communities across America. The Sustainable
                                Washington Alliance based in Washington, D.C. has
                                replicated the "Action Guide" for the greater
                                Washington area. Also, in Buffalo, New York an
                                effort is underway to create a partnership between
                                stakeholders modeled on the SCP partnership.  The
                                Buffalo group is working closely with the SCP
                                partners to determine how their mission and vision
                                was defined, and what is key to the successful
                                functioning of this partnership. The Council of
                                Michigan Foundations has also acquired 28 copies of
                                the "Action Guide."
                                                  40

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGIONS
                     Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife (GLIFWC)
Grant Number:
EQ985966
Project Coordinator:
Mr. Jim Thannum
P.O. Box 9
Odanah, WI 54861
EPA Funding:
$19,895,
FY1998
Focus:
Subsistence Fishing and
Mercury Contamination
Target Audience:
Members of eleven Native American Tribes.

Purpose:
To address the concerns of methyl mercury
contamination of walleye in ceded territory lakes.

Goals:
•       To provide information on fish contaminant
        levels to the membership of eleven tribal
        governments.

•       To provide a practical and  culturally
        sensitive approach to minimizing health
        risks and target women of child bearing age
        and parents.

Methods:
•       Obtained information from the U.S. Food
        and Drug Administration (USD A)
        comparing federal statutes  regulating
        mercury contamination for fish, beef and
        poultry products with fish advisories
        published by state, tribal, and federal
        agencies for walleye harvested from ceded
        territory waters.

•       Collected walleye samples for testing eleven
        of the twenty eight lakes that have been
        identified by member tribes for a walleye
        harvest sample.  Of these eleven harvested
        lakes, four have been tested for mercury.

•       Established a tribal database for
        (Geographic Information System) GIS
        applications that compiles  data on
        Minnesota lakes to identify mercury
        contamination levels to assist in determining
        if lakes targeted for harvest by tribal
        members require additional sampling.

•       Updated the tribal database for GIS
        applications that compiles  new data on
        Wisconsin and Michigan lakes to  identify
        mercury contamination levels.
                                •       Examined alternative options to illustrate
                                       and communicate mercury contaminant
                                       levels in walleye from waters harvested by
                                       tribal members using GIS mapping
                                       techniques.

                                •       Prepared and distributed GIS maps
                                       illustrating mercury contamination levels in
                                       walleye

                                •       Provided health information regarding
                                       consumption advice to tribal members
                                       harvesting fish from ceded territory lakes in
                                       Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

                                Products/Results:
                                Wisconsin and Michigan databases were updated
                                with all available data.  GIS maps depicting mercury
                                contamination of walleye in lakes harvested by seven
                                member tribes were created. A supply of these color
                                coded maps were provided to tribal registration
                                stations so that tribal members could pick them up
                                along with a nightly spearing or netting fishing
                                permit. Included on the reverse side of the maps was
                                background information about mercury and advice to
                                consider when eating fish.

                                To view these maps online go to www. glifwc.org

                                Successes/Strengths:

                                Created a baseline assessment of mercury
                                contamination of walleye in ceded territory lakes.
                                Provided easy-access to information on mercury
                                contaminant levels and health and consumption
                                advice to tribal members.
                                                      ###
                                                  41

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-'Edition
                                           REGIONS
                                 Indianapolis Urban League
Grant Number:
EQ975124
Project Coordinator:
John Mundell
850 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
EPA Funding:
$15,000,
FY1999
Focus:
Air Quality
Target Audience:
The low-income and minority communities located in
Marion County, Indiana

Purpose:
To develop a working Geographic Information
System (GIS) Environmental Resource Center
database for air emissions data for Marion County,
Indiana.

Goals:
•       To assess where and to what extent low-
        income and minority populations are
        exposed to a greater proportion of industrial
        emissions.
•       To develop a preliminary health risk
        assessment of specific key sectors of
        Indianapolis known to be low-income,
        mixed race, and close to industrial and
        Superfund sources.
•       To provide the GIS database to the Indiana
        Department of Environmental Management,
        the Marion County Department of Health
        and the Indiana State Department of Health,
        in order to facilitate their environmental
        health-based decision-making processes.
•       To make the database available to the public
        and present environmental information via a
        workshop.

Methods:
•       The Indianapolis Urban League
        Environmental Coalition (IULEC)
        developed a working GIS Environmental
        Resource Center database for air emissions
        data for Marion County, Indiana, in
        partnership with the Indiana University
        School of Public Health and Environmental
        Affairs.
•       A relational analysis among potential
        chemical source types and locations along
        with demographic data was performed and
        utilized to identify geographic areas of
        concern as well as populations at risk for the
        local community.
                                •       Community Workshops were conducted
                                       presenting the results of the EJ study
                                       performed as well as providing additional
                                       information on the impacts of air toxics on
                                       human health.  The workshops were
                                       attended by local community members,
                                       students of Martin University and filmed by
                                       the local public access television station.
                                       The program was subsequently shown
                                       multiple times during December 2000
                                       reaching an estimated public audience of
                                       400,000 in  central Indiana.

                                Pro ducts/Results:
                                The results of this analysis were drafted into a
                                technical publication entitled "Race, Income and
                                Toxic Air Releases in Indianapolis, Indiana" and
                                presented at the 21st  annual meeting of the Society of
                                Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry in
                                November 2000. The IULEC completed the
                                identification of chemicals of concern and their
                                potential health impacts for a geographic sector of
                                Marion County where potential impacts  to low-
                                income and minority populations are considered
                                greatest.  The results of this study have been drafted
                                in the report "Assessment of Risk From Hazardous
                                Air Pollutants in Southwestern Indianapolis" and are
                                being reviewed for presentation at an upcoming
                                nation meeting. These results have drawn attention to
                                this area as the potential site of future research
                                including  an increase of long-term air monitoring and
                                an evaluation of actual health data. A GIS data disk
                                was created and disseminated as well as videotapes of
                                the news coverage of IULEC's press conference and
                                the two educational programs.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                Providing public access to environmental information
                                and health impacts reaching an estimated audience of
                                400,000 in central Indiana. Formation of the
                                (IULEC) which includes members from  non-profit,
                                education, governmental, and private sector
                                organizations concerned with providing a healthy
                                environment for citizens of Indiana.
                                                     ###
                                                 42

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGION 5

Grant Number:
EQ985535-01

Project Vida
Project Coordinator: EPA Funding:
Dr. Howard Ehrman $20,000
2856 South Mittard Avenue FY 1997
Chicago, IL 60623
www.lvejo.org

Focus:
Education/
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
The Hispanic community known as "Little Village"
located in Chicago, Illinois.

Purposes:
To develop a participatory, interactive Environmental
Justice (EJ) project for Little Village.

Goals:
•       To create an EJ youth and family
        organization in the community.

•       To conduct  a community environmental
        inventory of toxic sources in and around
        Little Village.

•       To develop  educational materials and hold
        community  forums around a neighborhood
        brownfield site with Superfund status
        pending.

Methods:
•       Community outreach and meetings were
        conducted on EJ and environmental topics,
        resulting hi  the decision to create an EJ
        youth and family organization to be housed
        in the local  Boys and Girls club. A non-
        profit 501(c)(3) organization, Little Village
        Environmental Justice Organization
        (LVEJO) was formed.

•       A home toxic and asthma trigger inventory
        was conducted and a curriculum developed
        that emphasizes pollution prevention and
        risk reduction activities.

•       A mural program was developed integrating
        EJ issues with cultural themes of the
        community.

•       A community-based environmental
        inventory of toxic sources in and around
        Little Village was undertaken in partnership
        with Citizens For a Better Environment.
Products/Results:
        "Little Village Guide to Toxic Pollution"
        was developed and distributed widely.

•       A mural was painted by local youth in the
        community depicting EJ in the community.

Successes/Strengths:
Community residents were educated on toxic releases
in Little Village and empowered to form their own
community based, non-profit organization to address
environmental justice issues and concerns.

                      ###
                                                  43

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2°'Edition
      This page left intentionally blank
                     44

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                         REGION 6
                                   (AR. LA. NM. OK. TX)
                           Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
                               Environmental Justice Project
Grant Number:
EQ 996819-01
Project Coordinator:
Enrique Valdivia,
Esperanza Peace and Justice Center
922 San Pedro
San Antonio, TX 78212
EPA Funding:  Focus:
FY1997        Air Pollution and Solid
$20,000        Waste
Target Audience:
Low-income African-American community in
Eastside San Antonio, Texas, and the Martinez
neighborhood, a racially mixed low-income area.

Purpose:
To address air pollution and solid waste problems
through community education and organizing
grassroots efforts in an area that is home to a high
number of the cities' dirtiest industries and one of
Bexar County's largest landfills.

Goal:
•       Provide community education and enhance
        empowerment of Eastside and Martinez
        residents regarding environmental conditions
        in their neighborhoods

•       Promote a cleaner means of power
        generation and encourage the relocation of
        the Deely coal burning power plant, a huge
        producer of contaminations into the Eastside
        neighborhood

Methods:
•       Conduct two surveys of households in the
        target communities to investigate the health
        problems and environmental concerns.

•       Produce two "State of the Neighborhood"
        environmental reports containing public
        data, survey results and an overview of
        toxicology information relevant to
        neighborhood exposures.

•       Present the reports at workshops for
        neighborhood residents.
                               Products/Results:
                               Monthly meetings were held, during which,
                               information was provided on the environmental and
                               health effects of coal-fired power plants and the State
                               complaint process. A Clean Air Summit/Spruce
                               Power Plan Tour was held and 50 people participated
                               in the Summit, while 30 went on the tour.  A "State of
                               the Neighborhood Conference" was held near the
                               surveyed neighborhoods, drawing 50 people and
                               receiving excellent press coverage. Health surveys
                               were taken of the two neighborhoods using college
                               and high school volunteers. In the Eastside
                               neighborhood, 161 households were surveyed, and in
                               the Martinez neighborhood, 88 individuals were
                               surveyed. The two "State of the Neighborhood"
                               reports were compiled based on information from the
                               surveys.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               As a result of the project, residents understand the
                               negative impacts of many environmental problems.
                               The neighborhood groups have formed alliances and
                               have worked hard to have a voice in decisions
                               affecting their environment.
                                                    ,11 It If
                                                    Wtfit
                                                45

-------
                Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                 Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving z" Edition
                                  REGION 6
                             Mothers for Clean Air
         Houston's Fifth Ward Cleaner Communities for Better Health
Grant Number:
EQ991035-01
Project Coordinator:
JaneLaping             \
301 5 Richmond Ave., Suite 270
Houston, TX 77098         '
EPA Funding:  Focus:
FY 1999      Air Pollution and Children's
$15,000      Health
                                       46

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-Edition
                                          REGION 6
                                    Mothers for Clean Air.
           Houston's Fifth  Ward Cleaner Communities for Better Health
Grant Number:
EQ991035-01
Project Coordinator:
Jane Laping
3015 Richmond Ave., Suite 270
Houston, TX 77098
EPA Funding:
FY1999
$15,000
Focus:
Air Pollution and Children's
Health
Target Audience:
Low-income African-Americans in Houston's Fifth
Ward exposed to harmful effects of air pollutants
(ozone, toxins and particulate matter) from industrial
sources and auto emissions.

Purpose:
To expand the organization's activities by increasing
community awareness of air and solid waste hazards.
Involving the community in identifying
environmental justice issues by gathering information
about pollution sources in and near the community
and identifying solutions to these problems

Goals:
•       Enhance community understanding of
        environmental and public health information
        systems.

•       Improve communication between the
        elementary schools and community members
        when there are high ozone days.

•       Educate the community about the adverse
        health effects of ozone and the importance of
        keeping the children indoors on days of high
        ozone concentrations.

Methods:
•       Hold a workshop to train the community on
        accessing the environmental databases and
        public health information via the Internet.

•       Notify elementary schools when high ozone
        days are expected so that the principals will
        keep the children indoors.

•       Hold a public Environmental Justice
        Workshop and Tour to help residents
        understand local environmental justice
        problems.

•       Tour hazardous waste sites to enhance
        understanding of the issues through first-
        hand knowledge.
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               Fifteen meetings were held in the community where
                               the volunteers practiced organizational skills, learned
                               about the community's environmental problems and
                               planned future educational activities. Twenty
                               community members toured the five Super&nd sites
                               and Ship Channel industries affecting the
                               environmental quality in the area. Professionals
                               taught the participants about the health affects
                               associated with particular pollutants found during the
                               tour. Ten people attended a three-day Internet
                               training session so that they may continue their
                               environmental education. Presentations on ozone
                               education were made in several local day care
                               centers.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               A great interest in air pollution has been created. A
                               children's photography workshop was held, and
                               fifteen of the best photos of pollution in the
                               neighborhood were made into a calendar. Twenty-
                               five neighborhood people attended an Environmental
                               Justice  Workshop.
                                                     ###
                                                 47

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-'Edition
                                         REGION 6
                     Improving Environmental Health and Justice
                                   in a Border Community
Grant Number:
EQ986402-01-0
Project Coordinator:                    EPA Funding:
Victoria Simons                        FY1999
Border Environmental Health Coalition    $14,965
P.O. Box 134
Mesilla Park, NM 88047                  	
Focus:
Environmental health and
environmental justice
issues.
Target Audience:
Low-income Hispanics in a colonia in Dona Ana
County, New Mexico

Purpose:
To develop a prototype program that will assist low-
income minority communities analyze and cope with
environmental health and justice issues.  Many health
problems are related to the concentration of dairies in
the county and the fact that many of the residents
have no household water or wastewater infrastructure

Goals:
•       To teach the community to identify local
        environmental justice problems and involve
        the residents in finding solutions to address
        these concerns.

•       The community will also be given an
        understanding of environmental and public
        health information systems and pollution in
        the community.

Methods:
•       Work with La Clinica de Familia and its
        promotora (lay health promoters) program to
        provide community outreach and
        environmental health information.

•       Hire a bilingual community resource person
        to work directly with the community.

•       Develop a bilingual directory of state and
        local agencies providing assistance to the
        low-income residents.
                               Products/Results:
                               The community resource person helped the residents
                               to understand and solve environmental health
                               problems in their community. She was more
                               successful in approaching the individual families in
                               their homes, rather than in community meetings. She
                               helped raise their awareness and their confidence to
                               express their ideas and concerns about their
                               environment

                               Succe sses/Streng ths:
                               The bilingual directory has been very valuable to the
                               community.  Lessons have been learned from the
                               project that will enable the group to develop an
                               improved program for additional efforts within the
                               community.
                                                    ###
                                                48

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-'Edition
                                           REGION 6
                            Physicians for Social Responsibility
Grant Number:
EQ-99 687 0-01
Project Coordinator:
Beatriz E. Vera
1100N. Stanton, Suite 805
El Paso, TX 79902
EPA Funding:
FY1997
$20,000
Focus:
Childhood Respiratory
Health
Target Audience:
The poorest residents, primarily Hispanic, living in
the U.S.-Mexico border area who often live in the
most environmentally contaminated neighborhoods.

Purpose:
To research, write, and publish a Parent's Resource
Guide on Childhood Respiratory Health.

Goals:
•       To increase communications and
        cooperation between U.S. and Mexican
        physicians and facilitate citizen
        understanding of and input into the region's
        environmental health policies.

•       Identify treatment and prevention measures
        in order to arrive at a binational
        understanding of the treatment and
        prevention of environmentally-caused illness
        and respiratory health.

Methods:
•       Establish a Resource Guide Workgroup
        including representatives from the local
        community and environmental groups from
        both sides  of the border to help develop the
        Resource Guide.

•       Distribute, to 3,000 regional public health
        officials, government officials, community
        groups and the media, a binational, three-
        year Pediatric Asthma Study, the basis for
        Resource Guide.

•       Structure the bilingual Resource Guide in
        ordinary language to give parents the
        information they need on their children's
        environmental health issues and public
        health information systems.

•       Conduct community outreach to generate
        interest in  air quality and hazardous
        substances.
                                •       Distribute 1,500 Resource Guides to the
                                       public.

                                Fro ducts/Results:
                                The Pediatric Asthma Study was completed,
                                translated, and distributed to more than 3,000 public
                                health officials, community groups, etc.  The
                                Resource Guide was developed partly from the
                                Pediatric Asthma Study and the data it provided.
                                Extensive outreach was conducted on both sides of
                                the border to interest people in this data and in the
                                fact that a parent-friendly resource guidebook was to
                                be produced. After the Resource Guide was finished,
                                it was translated into Spanish and field-tested among
                                five community focus groups.

                                Succe sses/Str eng ths:
                                The Resource Guide has proven to be an invaluable
                                tool for families. The project provided an excellent
                                learning experience for health professionals treating
                                low-income Hispanic families.
                                                      ###
                                                  49

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 6
                        Taos Pueblo Environmental Health Project
Grant Number:
EQ986097-01
Project Coordinator:
Steve Dickens
River Watch Network
153 State St.
Montpelier, VT 05602
EPA Funding:
 FY1998
$20,000
Focus:
Environmental health and
"water quality
Target Audience:
Native Americans primarily in the Taos Pueblo in
Northern New Mexico.

Purpose:
River water from the Rio Grande watershed is the
primary source of drinking water, water for
ceremonial bathing purposes and for fish (a dietary
staple).  The river water flows through heavily
contaminated non-native communities. The safe
water needs of the Pueblo must be addressed.

Goals:
•       Assess the health risk of river and aquatic
        life contamination, and assess the health
        status and exposure to contamination by
        residents in the pueblos.

Methods:
•       Train Taos Pueblo Environmental Office
        (TPEO) staff and volunteers to design,
        administer, and analyze survey data from
        cross-sectional epidemiologic health and
        river water use surveys, interpret
        epidemiologic data and understand and
        prioritize community health risks.

•       Develop, conduct, and interpret health
        surveys.

•       Coordinate community meetings to
        disseminate the survey results and provide
        advice on risk reduction strategies.
                               Products/Results:
                               Several TPEO staff members were trained to design a
                               health survey, and three summer interns administered
                               the survey to 51 respondents in July 1999.  The
                               remaining TPEO staff was trained in entering the data
                               into statistical software. A new streamlined survey
                               was then developed and administered to more than
                               200 participants.  Information gained will have
                               beneficial impacts on health planning. The survey
                               showed that 94% of the Pueblo residents drank from
                               the river. Of these residents, 47% percent said that
                               the river water was their primary source of drinking
                               water, and 27% said it was their only source of water.
                               Ninety percent of respondents ate fish from the river.
                               The survey suggests that there are many problems
                               related to consumption  of river water.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The surveys have provided invaluable data regarding
                               subsistence fishing and  how health is impacted if
                               water is .contaminated.  The TPEO staff and interns
                               received excellent training during this project,  and the
                               community members achieved a clearer
                               understanding of the dangers of contaminated water.
                                                     ###

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 6
              University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
                                 Environmental House Calls
Grant Number:
EQ-9 86205-01-0
Project Coordinator:
Claudia Miller
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
 San Antonio, TX 78284
EPA Funding:
FY1998
$15,000
Focus:
Childhood Asthma
Target Audience:
Low income Hispanic families in Laredo, Texas.

Purpose:
To implement a pilot project to: (1) assist the poor
Hispanic population in improving residential
environmental conditions adversely affecting the
health of their children;  (2) train physicians and
nurses in environmental  medicine and (3) address the
rising prevalence of asthma.

Goals:
•       Develop a standardized protocol for
        performing environmental house calls to be
        used as an educational tool for teaching
        medical and nursing students.

        Evaluate the possible sources of
        contaminants causing respiratory problems
        in low-income Hispanic households, and
        teach the families how to prevent and
        eliminate those problems.

Methods:
•       Perform at least 45 environmental house
        calls to examine homes for sources of air
        contaminants associated with respiratory
        problems.

•       Conduct a second visit to make additional
        analyses, such as the presence of carbon
        dioxide and allergens in dust, particulate
        matter and molds, as well as the presence of
        lead, radon and asbestos.

•       Conduct a third visit to discuss with the
        residents the possible sources of
        contamination, to answer questions, and to
        suggest ways of improving the
        environmental  and physical health of the
        household.
                               •       Develop a cartoon-style educational
                                       pamphlet in English and Spanish illustrating
                                       environmental problems in the home as a
                                       teaching tool for the families.

                               Products/Results:
                               This project has created a model program for
                               engaging medical, nursing and public-health students
                               in visits to the homes of children with asthma.
                               Fifteen families of children with asthma participated
                               in the Environmental House Calls. Three visits were
                               made to each family and the families gave
                               information for a health questionnaire.  A comic
                               book-style pamphlet on asthma was developed in
                               Spanish for use of the participating families and for
                               health fairs in Laredo.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The project delivered targeted assistance to the low-
                               income families who participated, and provided a
                               unique learning experience for those studying for
                               medical professions. Valuable health information
                               was imparted to the families, and the health
                               professionals received important information on the
                               problems of asthma in this community.
                                                     ###
                                                  51

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
      This page left intentionally blank
                    52

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2nd Edition
                                          REGION 7
                                       (IA, KS, MO, NB)
                       Community-Based Master Planning Project
                          Nebraska State Recycling Association
Grant Number:
EQ997482-01
Project Coordinator:
Kay Stevens
1941 South 42nd Street #512
Omaha, NE 68105
EPA Funding:
$19,945
FY1997
Focus:
Environmental
Stewardship
Target Audience:
Neighborhood associations located within the Omaha
Enterprise zone, Omaha, Nebraska.

Purpose:
To make useful environmental and ownership data
regarding soil and water pollution, readily available
to neighborhood leaders of Omaha, Nebraska.

Goals:
•       To support neighborhood management of
        selected redevelopment projects.

•       To support environmental sustainability in
        the targeted area.

•       To develop a simple data collection system
        for "address-based" environmental and
        planning data.

        To further develop the long term goal of
        implementing "Neighborhood Master Plans"
        that identify the unique and available
        resources of the targeted areas, pinpoint
        environmental and infrastructure factors that
        depress property values,  and define
        corrective action plans.

Methods:
•       Develop Data Collection procedures and
        design data collection forms for integration
        into a GIS- based system.

•       Field test procedures and forms.

•       Compile a Training Manual for
        neighborhood associations.

•       Present results at a public meeting at the
        conclusion of the project to explain how
        inner-city property owners can use the GIS
        environmental and planning data to guide
        redevelopment projects.
                               Products / Results:
                               Creation of a "Neighborhood Profile" documented 61
                               neighborhoods in the target area, based on telephone
                               and personal interviews with all organizations. A
                               population of 148,277 resides within the target area.

                               Successes / Strengths:
                               The "Neighborhood Profile" document provides a
                               foundation for the future establishment of
                               "Neighborhood Master Plans" and increases
                               awareness of neighborhood associations and inner-
                               city property owners on future planning with regard
                               to potential environmental issues.
                                                    ####
                                                 53

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                      Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGION 7
                               EnvironmentalJustice Tool Kit
                                Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC)
Grant Number:
EQ997729-01
Project Coordinator:
Robert Housh
3808 Paseo
Kansas City, MO 64109
EPA Funding:
$12,465
FY1999
Focus:
Pollution Prevention
Target Audience:
Metropolitan Kansas City area with an emphasis on
minority and/or low income neighborhoods.

Purpose:
To develop a tool kit for other neighborhoods to use
to develop their own environmental justice efforts
through a community-based approach.

Goals:
•       Improvement in communication and
        coordination among stakeholders regarding a
        community-based approach to
        environmental justice issues.

•       Enhance community understanding of
        environmental and public health information
        systems through increased community
        education and awareness.

Methods:
•       Develop a Workbook to provide a process
        oriented, step by step aid for communities to
        develop their own neighborhood planning
        programs dealing with environmental justice
        and sustainable community planning.

•       Develop and distribute a CD Rom and Video
        Tape as a companion to the workbook, to
        serve as a marketing tool for participating
        communities to develop support and
        resources for their own planning efforts.

•       Development of an extensive Website with
        space reserved for the Environmental Justice
        Tool kit giving users access to downloadable
        information, links to other relevant web
        sites, and a chat room for networking and
        communication with other stakeholders  and
        participants.
                               Products / Results:
                               Follow up activities include various efforts to
                               measure and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of
                               this resource. Theses activities include:
                               - providing the tool kit to 75 different communities;
                               - getting 2,408 "hits" on the website that relate to
                               community activity.
                               - surveying the resources listed in the workbook for
                               contact by communities receiving tool kit.
                               - coordinating the tracking of the tool distribution
                               with EPA distribution and activity.

                               More kits will be given to local neighborhood
                               associations in the urban core through a workshop
                               that links the MEC's latest grant project-
                               weatherization, or home energy education and
                               training.

                               Successes / Strengths:
                               Providing  an easy-to-use, interesting kit that helps
                               people learn about environmental justice issues in
                               their community and helps them to take action  as
                               well.

                               The tool kit can help them to begin to build support
                               networks in other communities with similar issues.
                               Another strength is partnering with EPA at their
                               annual grant workshops to present the tool kit to other
                               community-based organizations dealing with EJ
                               issues.
                                                     ###
                                                 54

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                      Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                           REGION 7
                            Haskell Natural Resources Program
Grant Number:
PJ997233-01
Project Coordinator:
William Welton
Haskell Indian Nations Univ.
155 Indian Avenue
Lawrence, KS  66046
EPA Funding:
$45,000
FY1998
Focus:
Pollution Prevention
Target Audience:
Students at Haskell Indian Nations University that
represent 140 American Indian communities and
reservations, including local reservations.

Purpose:
To improve the environmental conditions within
American Indian communities and on reservations
through public education, decision-making, problem-
solving, training, and partnerships.

Goals:
•       To reduce waste by targeting dormitory and
        food service wastes.

•       To conduct an intensive safety inspection
        and formulate a conservation safety plan for
        the natatorium at the Coffin Complex
        targeting chlorine gas, usage and storage.

        To educate students  on other environmental
        topics.

Methods:
•       Development and enhancement of public
        and private partnerships, specifically
        between Haskell Indian Nations University
        and other colleges, high schools,  and private
        enterprises.

•       Provide on-site workshops and training at
        Reservations  or urban concentrations for
        selected topics  including: water
        quality/wellhead contamination; Riparian
        values/forest harvest/wetlands; bio
        remediation techniques and benefits;
        Riparian forest buffers/intensive  agriculture;
        Toxic Waste  Abatement and strategies for
        prescribed and wildfire management.
                                Pr odu cts/Results:
                                An end product of the project were partnerships
                                between public and private agencies that continue to
                                work on resolving environmental concerns.  Tribes in
                                the area developed methods of monitoring the water
                                supply to assure its safety. Standards were
                                established to handle spills that might damage water
                                supplies. Tribal communities were educated on how
                                they can prevent and resolve pollution issues in their
                                communities.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                At the completion of this project the Haskell Indian
                                Nations University, Haskell Natural Resources
                                Studies group held workshops on the Kickapoo and
                                Potawatomi reservations.

                                A summer camp was held for Native American high
                                students which allowed students to participate in
                                hands-on measurement and evaluations of water
                                quality which increased their sensitivity to daily
                                actions resulting in the prevention  of pollution.

                                A study was started with the Kickapoo and
                                Potawatomi tribes for emergency response measures
                                to chemical spills and bioremediation by organizing
                                water sampling and testing. Pollution prevention
                                issues were covered to help protect the two tribes'
                                water sources.

                                Partnerships were developed with  several Indian
                                tribal leaders and elders from various tribes including
                                Onodaga, Arikara, Potawatomi and Cherokee.  These
                                leaders gathered on the Haskell Indian Nations
                                University Campus for four days of traditional
                                training and sharing of information between students
                                and interested individuals from the Lawrence
                                community.
                                                   55

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                         REGION 7
  Raising Awareness on Environmental Hazards at Home in Immigrant Communities
                                           in St. Louis
                           School of Public Health - Saint Louis University
Grant Number:
EQ997635-01
Project Coordinator:
Fernando Serrano
3663LindellBlvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1998
Focus:
Lead and Carbon
Monoxide Education
Target Audience:
Low income immigrant Hispanic, Vietnamese,
Russian, Bosnian, and Herzegovinian communities of
St. Louis, Missouri.

Purpose:
To raise awareness and educate low income
immigrant communities, not proficient in English,
about environmental hazards at home.

Goals:
•       To educate and raise awareness on
        environmental hazards for low income
        immigrant communities.

•       Building community capacity by providing
        information and recommendations for
        prevention and control of environmental
        hazards.

Methods:
•       Research, design and review of the
        environmental health literature concerning
        lead poisoning, indoor air pollution, and
        household hazardous products.

•       Testing of pilot brochures with small focus
        groups comprised of residents of the target
        audiences.

•       Distribution of brochures and providing
        workshops on environmental hazards to  the
        target audience.
                              Pro ducts/Results:
                              •       The project produced brochures on lead,
                                      indoor air and home products in the
                                      languages of the populations listed.

                              •       Distribution of these brochures were made
                                      through workshops at health centers.

                              •       Workshops on environmental hazards at
                                      home and the use of brochures are
                                      conducted in selected health centers.

                              •       The current plan is to review the
                                      publications on lead poisoning, indoor air
                                      pollution,  and household hazardous products
                                      to keep information up-to-date.

                              Successes/Strengths:
                              The Saint Louis University, School of Public Health
                              has produced a valuable product to be used within the
                              immigrant community of St. Louis, MO.
                                                   ####
                                                56

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2nd Edition
                                          REGION 8
                                 (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,  WY)
    Cache County Spanish Education of Water Quality & Solid Waste Services
Grant Number:
EQ988075-01
Project Coordinator:
Jill Galloway
City of Logan
EPA Funding:
$5,000
FY1999
Focus:
Hazardous Waste
Disposal Water Quality
                       Department of Environmental Health
                       950 West 600 North
                       Logan, UT 84321	
Target Audience:
Hispanic residents of Cache County, and neighboring
communities of Tremonton and Brigham City in Utah.

Purpose:
To educate the community's Hispanic population on
the proper methods of hazardous waste disposal, water
quality issues and benefits of recycling and
composting.

Goals:
•      To establish connections with people
       affiliated with Hispanic groups within the
       community.

•      To participate in organized community
       events as a potential avenue for
       communicating with members of the
       Hispanic community.

•      To enhance the Hispanic community's
       overall understanding of key environmental
       and public health issues

•      To improve communication and facilitate the
       flow of information among community
       groups.

Methods:
•      Create pamphlets written in Spanish and
       establish connections with Hispanic groups
       in the community who distributed the
       pamphlets to the community.

•      Participate in organized community events to
       increase awareness of hazardous waste
       disposal, water quality issues and benefits of
       recycling and composting.
                                      Oversee the success of the program through
                                      monitoring the number of pamphlets
                                      distributed, keeping track of inquiries and
                                      informational polls.
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               Four different pamphlets were created and written in
                               Spanish. The pamphlets focused on the separate issues
                               of recycling, green waste (composting), water quality,
                               and household hazardous waste disposal. There were
                               10,000 copies made of each pamphlet. The pamphlets
                               were distributed at a number of schools, grocery
                               stores, restaurants, Hispanic businesses and
                               employers, and neighboring cities.
                               A 24-hour Spanish hotline was set-up to assist
                               Hispanics with  environmental questions.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The Hispanic leaders were excited to see the
                               government's support and participation in their well-
                               being.  The community is very hopeful that the
                               relations formed through this program will strengthen
                               and unify the community.
                                                     ###
                                                57

-------
                Environmental Justice Small Grants Program

                Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving y Edition
                                REGIONS
         Environmental Analysis Training for Northern Great Plains

                          Native American Nations
Grant Number:

EQ998669-01
Project Coordinator:

Benjamin Whiting

P.O. Box 8

Mission, SD 57555
EPA Funding:

$20,000

Fy'1997
Focus:

Water Quality, Toxic Substances,

Hazardous Waste
                           University of Nebraska - Lincoln

                    ENVIRONMENTAL

                    ANALYSIS TRAINING

                    for the Northern Great Plains

                    Native American Nations

                               " Sponsored by
                             Sinte Gleska University -
                     Environmental Science and Conservation Program
                                 • • and the
                           University of Nebraska - Lincoln
                    Civil Engineering Department and UNL Water Center

                               i  •:..-!'    ^
                        June 15-16, 1998 - Basic Course
                      June 18-19,^998"- Advanced Course
                             Pablo,  Montana at
                       Salish-Kootenai College Campus

                        July 13-lK, 1998 - Basic Course
                         Pierre, South Dakota at the
                       Joe Foss Building, Floyd Mathews
                       Environmental Education Center
                      July 16-17, ||J98 - ^d^raneed Course
                     Mission, South Dakota at Sinte Gleska

                      University fcampus. Science Center

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGIONS
            Environmental Analysis Training for Northern Great Plains
                                  Native American Nations
Grant Number:
EQ998669-01
Project Coordinator:
Benjamin Whiting
P.O. Box 8
Mission, SD 57555
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1997
Focus:
Water Quality, Toxic Substances,
Hazardous Waste
Target Audience:
 Members of the tribes of the Northern Great Plains
(Rosebud, Oglala, Cheyenne River, Standing Rock,
Yankton, Ft. Thompson, Lower Brule, Lake Traverse
Sioux, Santee Sioux, Winnebago, Omaha and Tribes
in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota), tribal
faculty and students, tribal and state water quality
technicians.

Purpose:
To train personnel from Native American tribes,
located in the Northern Great Plains Region, in the
collection and analysis of environmental data.

Goals:
•       To provide ways of gathering and
        exchanging information on environmental
        techniques while encouraging participants to
        network and establish new partnerships.

•       To advance technical skills and improve
        communication and information networks
        between resource professionals, tribal and
        state technicians and students.

•       Teach participants to use environmental data
        to make decisions relating to pollution
        prevention and sound environmental
        management.

Methods:
•       Train Native populations in the skills of
        collection, interpretation, and analysis of
        environmental data through workshops.

•       Workshops to introduce the participants to
        the collection and interpretation of
        environmental data with a focus on
        advanced methods of collection and data
        analysis. Each workshop was held twice.

•       A workbook was created for trainers to use
        while instructing classes.
                               Products/Results:
                               Presented four "hands-on" workshops to the
                               Northern Great Plains tribal members about the
                               collection and interpretation of environmental data.
                               The workshops combined classroom lectures, hands
                               on laboratory and field sampling, and Quality
                               Assurance/Quality Control concepts.  Created two
                               separate workbooks to use in each workshop. One
                               workbook entitled, "Integrating Quality Assurance
                               into Tribal Water Programs," was developed for
                               trainers to use while instructing classes on water
                               quality data collection.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The workshops, which were held at both Pablo,
                               Montana at Salish-Kootenai College and Mission,
                               South Dakota at Sinte Gleska University Campus had
                               20 and 25 participants, respectively. Most
                               participants were students with environmental
                               science backgrounds or technicians employed by a
                               tribal or federal environmental management agency.
                               Tribes came from North Dakota, South Dakota and
                               Montana. After the workshop, participants were
                               asked to evaluate the workshops. They rated the
                               workshop from very good to excellent.
                                                    ###
                                                 59

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving y Edition
                                         REGIONS
              Costilla County Committee for Environmental Soundness
                 Culebra Basin Mining Contamination Response Plan
Grant Number:
EQ988070-01
Project Coordinator:
Rachel Conn
POBox37
San Luis, CO  81152
EPA Funding:
$15,000
FY1999
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
Low-income residents of the Culebra Basin, San Luis
Valley in Colorado.

Purpose:
To provide the community with an information source
for possible contamination problems. The response
plan includes providing contact names, numbers and
general information about geology, hydrology and
water sampling events.
Goals:
        To monitor Battle Mountain Gold Mine's
        impact on water quality in the San Luis area
        and design a mining contamination response
        plan.

        Help the community develop an emergency
        response plan to prepare for the possible
        contamination of the community's principal
        drinking water.

        To provide baseline data for water quality
        conditions and assess the present
        contamination situation by collecting and
        bringing together water quality data on the
        Rito Seco Watershed.

        To provide toxicology information on the
        contaminants present at the mine site and
        research contaminant and treatment
        technologies.

        Develop a network of people, organizations
        and agencies.

        Create community awareness about the mine
        site and associated water quality issues.
                              Methods:
                              •       Designed the Culebra Basin Mining
                                      Contamination Response plan, which helps
                                      the community prepare for possible
                                      contamination of the community's principal
                                      drinking water system. The plan will also be
                                      used as an educational tool to address water
                                      contamination problems.

                              •       Improved coordination and communication
                                      between stakeholders, local and state
                                      government and the Battle Mountain Gold
                                      Mine.

                              •       Increased awareness and enhanced the
                                      community's understanding of environmental
                                      and public health systems through
                                      publication of newsletters.

                              Products/Results:
                              The response plan is a useful tool, which will be
                              crucial in the event of contamination of San Luis'
                              wells. The response plan also defines wells which
                              have already been contaminated. The newsletter was
                              a valuable tool in teaching the community about the
                              contaminants in the community and providing them
                              with information.

                              Successes/Strengths:
                              The water quality data is an  important tool to help
                              analyze the quality of the  water in the Culebra Basin.
                              The response plan established a network of
                              information for the community to use in case of a
                              contamination event.
                                                    ###
                                                60

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGIONS
                   Household Hazardous Waste Education Program
Grant Number:
EQ998895-01
Project Coordinator:
Sandy Strum
Grand Valley Earth Coalition
PO Box 2303
Grand Junction, CO 81502
EPA Funding:
$18,671
FY1998
Focus:
Hazardous Waste and
Water Quality
Target Audience:
The community of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Purpose:
To create a comprehensive household hazardous
waste education program and establish a facility
designated for the collection of hazardous waste.

Goals:
•       To create a program to target the Grand
        Junction area and neighboring communities.

•       To create a program that would involve
        middle and high school students who would
        perform a waste audit at their schools.

•       To create working relationships among
        teachers, businesses and the community.

•       To create a newsletter to be distributed
        through a local newspaper. The newsletter
        will contain important information
        concerning household hazardous waste.

Methods:
        Develop literature and public service
        announcements to enhance the communities'
        understanding of household hazardous
        waste.

•       Design and maintain a website offering the
        community information on hazardous waste.

•       Create a brochure, listing important
        information and people to contact.

•       Create a teacher internship program to
        facilitate the communication and information
        exchange between teachers and businesses.
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               The program created brochures and a website which
                               will continue to provide information and contact
                               names and numbers to the public. The internship
                               program created an environmental curriculum and
                               helped develop relationships between teachers and
                               businesses.  The youth auditor program involved four
                               high schools and two middle schools, and instructed
                               the students about dealing with hazardous waste.  A
                               30-second video was made for use in public service
                               announcements on television.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The program made a concentrated effort to reach the
                               public. Public service announcements on television,
                               radio and newspapers reached a large audience.  The
                               internship program and the youth auditor program
                               facilitated education between students and members
                               of the community.
                                                    ###
                                                61

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGIONS
                            Northeast Denver Housing Center
                      Denver's Environmental Education Initiative
Grant Number:
EQ998668-01
Project Coordinator:
Clementine W. Pigford
1735 Gaylord Street
Denver, CO 80206
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1997
Focus:
Clean Water and Clean Air
Target Audience:
African-American and Hispanic inner city low-
income families in Northeast Denver, Colorado.

Purpose:
To develop a program that provides environmental
education for low income, inner city minority
residents and a public forum of recognizing best
practices for sustainable growth.

Goals:
•       To educate low-income residents to
        understand that indeed they can buy, lease,
        and live in housing that adheres to
        environmental protection guidelines.

•       To demonstrate to inner city residents that
        energy efficient homes are possible for
        everyone.

Methods:
•       Develop guidelines for an annual program
        on "green homes;"  advise educators, and
        conduct demonstration workshops.

•       Develop community awareness through a
        public forum, which will recognize and
        celebrate environmentally friendly public
        policy and private products (such as recycled
        building products).

•       Develop a community advisory board to
        identify, prioritize, and find solutions to
        environmental issues.
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               Sponsored a play entitled "Garbage Stew", in which
                               children participated and learned about the evils of
                               pouring "garbage" down sewers and storm drains.
                               Showcased a green home in Parkhill, which featured
                               keeva foundation, tamko shingles, bamboo flooring
                               and other environmentally-friendly home construction
                               methods.  Taught the audience the dangers of
                               exposure to unhealthy air, water and paint through
                               plays with child actors.  Sponsored a
                               three hour seminar entitled "Lead Based Paint" and
                               conducted site visits for residents.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The construction of the "green home" allowed the
                               residents of this community to look over an
                               affordable and environmentally-friendly home in their
                               neighborhood. Also the community in this
                               neighborhood was informed about the dangers and
                               alternatives to various environmental problems (such
                               as taking household hazardous waste to a proper
                               facility rather than dumping it down the drain).
                                                162

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGIONS
      Northeast Montana Water Quality Information and Education Project
Grant Number:
EQ998878-01
Project Coordinator:             EPA Funding:
Dallas Johannsen                $20,000
Eastern Plains Resource          FY1998
Conservation and Development Area, Inc.
123 West Main
Sidney, MT 59270	
Focus:
Water Quality
Target Audience:
The people living in the Missouri River Watershed
below Fort Peck Dam in Montana.

Purpose:
To focus on surface water quality issues of the 110
streams that feed into the watershed.

Goals:
•       To identify, gather and interpret existing
        data from the 110 streams in the watershed.

•       To determine the need for additional
        sampling points if enough data is not already
        available.

•       To hold public information meetings to
        determine the interest in developing a local
        watershed plan.

Methods:
•       Creating an inventory of the data on each
        stream and river to determine the number of
        streams and rivers which are susceptible to
        pollution.

•       Additional sampling and analysis to assess
        the water quality and identify the
        susceptible streams.

•       Provide the information to the residents of
        the watershed, and discuss the need to
        design a watershed plan to address  local
        concerns.
                               Products/Results:
                               An inventory was created of the Lower Missouri
                               Watershed. The watershed included Daniels,
                               Dawson, McCone, Prairie, Roosevelt, Richland,
                               Sheridan, and Valley counties and the Fort Peck
                               Indian Reservation. The watershed is comprised of
                               eight sub-basins, 110 streams and rivers and covers
                               11,465 square miles of land. The inventory
                               determined that nearly all the streams were impaired.
                               Educational/informational meetings were held with
                               individuals from each of the eight counties and the
                               Indian reservation. Pamphlets were also printed with
                               detailed information on the project.
                               Educational classes were held at various schools
                               throughout the  area about the surface water quality of
                               this section of the Missouri River Watershed.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               The program inventoried and determined the quality
                               of the streams and rivers in this community. The
                               educational/informational meetings created
                               community awareness and interest in the Lower
                               Missouri Watershed area. Discussions are currently
                               taking place on the development of a watershed plan
                               for the Red Water, a sub-basin.
                                                     ###
                                                 63

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2"" Edition
       This page left intentionally blank
                     64

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                         REGION 9
                                 (AS. AZ, CA. GM. HI. NV)
                      African American Development Association
Grant Number;
EQ999681-01-0
Project Coordinator:
Allen Edson
1212 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94607
EPA Funding:
$19,000
FY 1997
Focus:
Hazardous Materials
Target Audience:
Community of West Oakland in a mixed land use
area.

Purpose:
To provide education and outreach in collaboration
with the city of Oakland, Office of Emergency
Services to residents in West Oakland.

Goals:
•       Address the disproportionate risks from
        potential accidental chemical releases in
        mixed use areas

•       Educate community members to increase
        their capacity to identify and implement
        activities to address environmental justice
        problems

Methods:
•       Conduct site assessment to identify West
        Oakland area "hot spots."

•       Conduct meetings to present assessment
        information to the community.

•       Train community leaders to identify and
        read placards for transporting hazardous
        materials in trucks
                              Pro ducts/Results:
                              Community leaders in high risk areas of West
                              Oakland received "train the trainer" emergency
                              preparedness classes from the City of Oakland Office
                              of Emergency Services. GIS maps identifying areas
                              of hazardous materials were created and made
                              available to the community. A Transportation Hazard
                              Assessment Report was developed.

                              Succe sses/Streng ths:
                              The increased involvement of community based
                              trainers and community representatives and
                              environmental authorities is an indication of
                              successful collaboration. The community members
                              have become much more informed and can interact
                              and advise the appropriate regulatory agencies.
                                                   ###
                                               65

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 9
                     Community Environmental Promotion Project
Grant Number:
EQ989412-Q1-0
Project Coordinator:                    EPA Funding:
PaoN.Fang                           $15,000
Lao Family Community of Fresno, Inc.     FY1999
Fresno, CA 993727
Focus:
Educational Outreach
Target Audience:
Southeast Asian Community in Fresno, California
including Hmong, Lao, Cambodia, Vietnamese.

Purpose:
To educate and bring awareness of indoor/outdoor
pollution and toxic substances to a rural Asian
community in the Central Valley of California. A
major key to success for this project is removing
language barriers.

Goals:
*       Reach out to communities that government
        resources and services may have been
        unable to reach.

*       Educate the community on areas relating to
        air and water pollution, as well as focusing
        awareness on dumping toxic chemicals such
        as chemical insecticides, household
        chemicals and motor oil.

Methods:
•       Develop educational brochures exploring
        problems and solutions on pollution in the
        community.

•       Provide environmental workshops to
        improve the community's understanding of
        public health and environmental awareness.

•       Conduct bilingual (Hmong, Lao, &
        Cambodian) radio talk shows to disseminate
        and establish a dialogue with the community
        on such issues as prevention, compliance of
        environmental and health and health
        promotions
                               Products/Results:
                               Distributed 7000 copies of the project brochure,
                               translated into various languages (Cambodian, Lao,
                               Hmong), to promote and educate about air and water
                               pollution. Information booths were the outreach
                               mechanism used during the Refugee Recognition
                               Week, Hmong New Year celebration,
                               Lao/Cambodian New Year celebration, the Southeast
                               Asian Water Festival and the Roosevelt High School
                               event. Twelve workshops were conducted to help
                               improve community understanding of environmental
                               and health issues. Produced 48 radio education spots
                               and 12 radio talk-shows throgh KBIF 900 AM. The
                               educational talk-shows covered a series of water and
                               air pollution issues and the awareness of dangerous
                               toxic substances.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               Educational outreach to an untapped community in
                               the Central Valley of California is the predominate
                               success for this project. The major strength came in
                               the form of removing language barriers so that the
                               community could better understand air and water
                               pollution issues and disposal practices for
                               insecticides, household toxins and motor oil.
                                                    ###
                                                 66

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                         REGION 9
                     Communities for a Better Environment (CBE)
Grant Number:
EQ-999684-01-0
Project Coordinator:
Carlos Porras
5610 Pacific Blvd., Suite 203
Huntington Park, CA 90255
EPA Funding:
$20,000
FY1997
Focus:
Student Initiative Project
Target Audience:
Huntington Park High School Students

Purpose:
To provide students with critical skills and hands on
experience in environmental problem solving.

Goals:
•       To develop environmental leadership among
        youth around site specific environmental
        problems in southeast Los Angeles.

•       To enhance community understanding of
        environmental and public health information
        systems on local pollution problems.

Methods:
•       Track daily pollutant levels by using air
        monitoring equipment.

•       Analyze data using a computer for research.

•       Conduct workshops, presentations and a city
        wide conference to educate the youth.

•       Organize other students and community
        members
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               Youth from LA CAUSA Youth Initiative Project
                               built five buckets or air monitoring tools and have
                               taken air samples in Huntington Park. Youth
                               members have participated in three toxic tours of
                               southeast Los Angeles. Youth members were
                               successful in their campaign against Niklor Chemical
                               Company's attempt to continue their pesticide
                               production in a residential area of Carson. CBE's
                               Youth members held its first Youth in Action
                               Conference to discuss what they can  do to address
                               issues in their communities.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               Youth members developed their presentations and
                               speaking skills in several of the events. The youth and
                               the community of Huntington Park developed a higher
                               level of understanding and awareness of environmental
                               issues and information.
                                                     ###
                                                67

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 9
                           Los Angeles Educational Partnership
Grant Number:
EQ-989071-01-1
 Project Coordinator:
 Liseth Romero-Martinzez
-315 West Ninth Street, Suite 1110
 Los Angeles, CA 90015
EPA Funding:
$19,970
FY1998
Focus:
Educa tion/toxic
dumping
Target Audience:
Residents of Pacoima

Purpose:
To educate residents on how  to dispose of waste
properly and general environmental education
outreach.

Goals:
•       To increase the awareness and knowledge of
        Pacoima community members about
        environmental issues by providing
        information and helping to develop the skills
        needed to  make informed decisions and act
        responsibility with regard to the
        environment.

•       To enhance critical thinking, problem-
        solving and foster active participation in
        environmental  issues by community
        members.

Methods:
•       Train and facilitate inter-generational
        environmental teams.

•       Disseminate information to residents
        regarding illegal dumping.

•       Organize cleanups days and provide
        information to the local schools regarding
        the "greening of schools campuses."

•       Provide environmental education for
        elementary school age children and their
        parents
                                Products/Results:
                                Students , teachers and parents participated in a clean
                                up campaign on campus.  A partnership was formed
                                with Cal State Northridge University to conduct a
                                community survey identifying environmental
                                problems. A sustainable school project was initiated.
                                Two clean up days and tree planting days were
                                organized around the Brads campus.  Three thousand
                                copies of the Pacoima Beautiful newsletter were
                                distributed each month to children, parents and
                                community members.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                A substantive relationship has developed between the
                                Cal State Northridge University and the Pacoima
                                Beautiful and Community Inspectors that will
                                continue.  Six Pacoima schools have been introduced
                                to resource organizations to assist in "greening" their
                                campus. For example, the Department of Public
                                Works has made a commitment to provide tools and
                                other city resources to all clean up days.
                                                     ###
                                                 68

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving y Edition
                                         REGION 9
                                       People's CORE
             (Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment)
Grant Number:
EQ-989057-01-0
Project Coordinator:            EPA Funding:
Joe Navidad                    $19,994
300 West Cesar Chavez Avenue   1998
 Suite E
Los Angeles, CA 90012	
Focus:
Pesticide education
Target Audience:
Several schools in Los Angeles (Temple-Beverly
area) and Carson. Both areas' schools have large
multi-racial student body.

Purpose:
Address the issue of children's exposure to toxic
pesticides.

Goals:
•       Build community capacity in identifying the
        problem of toxic pesticides in the schools.

•       Research and find out the pesticides used in
        the schools.

•       Assess and evaluate the effects of exposure
        in schools.

Methods:
•       Review monthly pesticide reports.

•       Conduct pesticide use education in target
        schools.

•       A pilot survey, in the Los Angeles area, on
        the community awareness of pesticide was
        conducted and information  materials from
        the survey was presented in community
        meetings.

•       Set up a Pesticide Action Committee
        composed of parents, teachers and
        community leaders.
                              Products/Results:
                              Conducted five neighborhood meetings. The
                              research culminated in a Fact Sheet about pesticides
                              and its effects.  Information on pesticide use was
                              gathered and submitted to the Los Angeles Unified
                              School District.

                              Successes/Strengths:
                              The community concerns and information generated
                              helped to persuade the Los Angeles Unified School
                              District to adopt the Integrated Pesticide Management
                              Policy (IPM). The Parents Action Committee will be
                              joined with an environmental justice coalition, a
                              coalition that does only deals with pesticide issues but
                              also the overall effects of toxic chemicals in the
                              greater Los Angeles area.
                                                   ###
                                                69

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2-" Edition
                                          REGION 9
Grant Number:
EQ-989053-01-0
People United for a Better Oakland (PUEBLO)
Project Coordinator': EPA Funding: Focus:
Bonnie Koo $20,000 Environmental
132 East 12th Street FY 1998 Stewardship
Oakland, CA 94606
Target Audience:
East Oakland residents

Purpose:
To build community capacity to identify local
environmental justice problems and to design a
comprehensive and proactive plan for improved
community environmental health by implementing
the SAFE HEALTH (Strategic Action for
Environmental Health) project.

Goals:
•       Collect data and educate residents on causes,
        effects, prevention, and control of air
        pollution

•       Educate community on the human health
        effects and risks of exposure to toxic
        substances and hazardous waste.

Methods;
•       Create a set of GIS maps of toxic waste and
        hazardous material sites in East Oakland.

•       Implemented a community survey to identify
        environmental health concerns.

•       Provide recommendations to the city on
        reforms related to public access, toxic
        emissions and site reduction, and health
        education/services.
Pro ducts/Results:
Stakeholder meetings were convened to discuss GIS
and environmental data maps.  The Pueblo and other
groups collaborated to successfully pass the zero-
dioxin resolutionin Oakland.  Policy training was
conducted for residents and members.

Successes/Strengths:
This project help to support a resident-driven
(community-based and grassroots) issue identification
process to allow residents to prioritize their concerns
about the greatest threats to environmental health.
                      ###
                                                 70

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2"" Edition
                                          REGION 9
             Professional Wet Cleaning As a Healthier Cleaning Method
                     Korean Youth and Community Center (KYCC)
Grant Number:
EQ989414
Project Coordinator:
Helen Yi
KYCC
680 S. Wilton PI
Los Angeles, CA 90005
EPA Funding:
$15,000
FY1999
Focus:
Perchloroethylene  (Perc)
Educational Outreach
Target Audience:
Korean-American Dry Cleaners in Los Angeles,
California.

Purpose:
To educate  and encourage the garment care
community in the greater Los Angeles region to
utilize professional wet cleaning as a healthier
cleaning method compared to the traditional
perchloroethylene-based dry cleaning.

Goals:
•       Enhance the understanding of professional
        wet cleaning and the issues related to the
        regulation of perc dry cleaning.

•       Improve communication among
        stakeholders  concerning professional wet
        cleaning and issues related to the regulation
        of perc dry cleaning.

Methods:
•       Interview dry cleaners about their attitudes
        towards professional wet cleaning and
        educating regulators about professional wet
        cleaning as a viable pollution prevention
        alternative.

•       Coordinate a series of professional wet
        cleaning tours, workshops, and seminars.

•       Publicity about professional wet cleaning
        was successfully organized through the
        regional garment care trade press  as well as
        through the local Korean daily newspapers.

Pro ducts/Results:
Interviews with dry cleaners who attended a
professional wet cleaning tour in 1999 revealed the
cause of why so many were reluctant to switch to this
new method and provided future reference as to what
kind of incentive programs might stimulate a
diffusion.
                                The educational outreach process with the South
                                Coast Air Quality Management District led, in part, to
                                their decision to fund the Professional Wet Cleaning
                                Commercialization Project. Within a four months
                                period, a total of 71 cleaners attended workshops and
                                seminars that provided overviews of the professional
                                wet cleaning process. A number of articles on
                                professional wetcleaning were published in Western
                                Cleaner and Launderer, trade press, and also
                                mainstream English and Korean press such as the Los
                                Angeles Times. During the course of this project, we
                                provided direct assistance to three cleaners who made
                                a transition to professional wet cleaning.  In addition,
                                technical assistance was provided to 65 dry cleaners
                                expressing an interest in converting to professional
                                wet cleaning.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                Educational outreach to dry cleaners about
                                professional wet cleaning was enhanced substantially
                                with the development of the Professional Wet
                                Cleaning Commercialization Project. The
                                Commercialization Project, which received initial
                                funding in 2000 by the South Coast Air Quality
                                Management District (SCAQMD), is designed to
                                jumpstart the  diffusion of professional wet cleaning in
                                the southern California region by providing financial
                                and technical assistance to eight dry cleaners
                                interested to switching to professional wet cleaning.
                                                 71

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 9
                        Sonora Environmental Research Institute
Grant Num ber:
EQ-999692-01-0
Project Coordinator:
Anna H. Spitz
P.O. Box 65782
Tucson AZ 85728
EPA Funding:
$19,973
1997
Focus:
Education/ household
hazardous materials
Target Audience:
Residents (with a special focus on children)
Nogales, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
                of
Purpose:
To educate Spanish speaking community members on
household hazardous materials.

Goals:
*       Empowering the community by providing
        education materials.

•       Involve schools in disseminating
        information.

Methods:
•       Developed  workbooks in English and
        Spanish that were distributed to students
        during household hazardous waste
        collection events.

•       Created a brochure for public information in
        English and Spanish

•       Conducted workshops to familiarize the
        community with the
        educational/informational materials.

Products/Results:
The Institute distributed more than 900 workbooks
for school and home use and they provided one
thousand brochures for ongoing distribution in the
county.  Schools officials, teachers and end users
received these new tools very favorably. The
program had spillover effects beyond its intended
audience of younger children. So much  interest was
generated that high school students participated  in
workshops with teachers to learn about the topic. The
rate of participation during the household collection
events began to increase. Santa Cruz County went
from three participants to 60 in a subsequent event.
Some increased participation resulted from the
educational outreach of this effort.
Successes/Strengths:
The materials generated have been very well received
in the community, especially the school district.
Some teachers are using the entire workbook while
some use specific experiments to complement their
general curriculum.  Local educators are using the
workbooks in the schools not only to educate about
proper collection and disposal of household
hazardous waste but also about the proper use and
alternatives to such products.
                                                     ###
                                                 72

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving r* Edition
                                         REGION 10
                                       (AK. ID. OR.  WA)
                       American Lung Association of Washington
Grant Number:
EQ980478-01
Project Coordinator:
Chetana Acharya
2625 3rdAvenue
Seattle, WA 98121
EPA Funding:
$14,960
FY1999
Focus:
Indoor Air Quality
Target Audience:
Parents, child care employees, and other caretakers of
children belonging to the Holly Park/New Holly
communities; a racially and ethnically diverse low-
income community in Seattle, WA.

Purpose:
To inform residents about the impacts of indoor air
quality on health by training two bilingual members
of the Holly Park/New Holly communities as Master
Home Environmentalists (MHE). The MHEs will
educate residents about financially feasible ways to
improve the air quality in their homes.

Goals:
•      To facilitate communication between
       stakeholders in an effort to address and
       alleviate concerns about indoor air quality.

•      Enhance active participation of affected
       communities and encourage informed
       decision making to help bring about
       healthier home environments.

Methods:
•      Organize an Indoor Air Summit inviting the
       Holly Park/New Holly residents interested in
       indoor air quality, asthma and allergies.

•      Recruit and send two volunteers through the
       MHE training program where they will learn
       about environmental health issues.

•      Indoor Air Quality workshops and/or home
       assessments organized and hosted by MHE
       volunteers
                               Pro ducts/Results:
                               Recruitment of a diverse group of volunteers to serve
                               and represent the Holly Park/New Holly
                               communities. Completion of MHE training for
                               volunteers. Completion of the outreach activities
                               within the Holly Park/New Holly communities, which
                               reached forty people and thirty-six families. Indoor
                               air quality summits where community concerns were
                               addressed.

                               Successes/Strengths:
                               Empowering the community by encouraging the
                               residents to address indoor air quality. Improved
                               public and environmental health in Holly Park/New
                               Holly communities. Facilitating access to non-English
                               speaking community members through the
                               recruitment of bilingual volunteers. MHE volunteers
                               are more familiar with Holly Park/New Holly
                               communities due to the recruitment of community
                               residents.
                                                    ###
                                                 73

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 10
                           Environmental Justice Action Group
                                              (EJAG)
Grant Number:
EQ980497-01
Project Coordinator:
Anna C. Aguar
P.O. Box 11635
Portland, OR  9721
EPA Finding:
$20,000
FY1999
Focus:
Air quality,
Lead Education
Brownfield Hazards
Target Audience:
African-Americans, Latino Americans, Asian
Americans, Russians, Asians and Africans exposed to
environmental hazards such as Brownsfield sites, other
contaminated sites, air pollutants from high traffic
volumes, toxic materials and lead poisoning in the
N/NE Portland Area.

Purpose:
To cultivate a core group of community activist who
will gain the technical and environmental knowledge,
networks, and experience to be long-term leaders in
Portland's environmental justice work, and to build
overall community understanding and involvement in
environmental decision-making.

Goals:
•       To increase community awareness and
        involvement in environmental justice and
        public health issues.

•       Identify local environmental justice problems,
        and  facilitate community-based leadership in
        seeking solutions to these problems.

Methods:
•       Conduct door to door campaigns and
        presentations for local organizations to
        distribute EJAG's information regarding
        transportation, air quality, lead poisoning, and
        brownfields, including superfund sites.

•       The door to door campaigns will prompt
        community leaders into a dialogue about the
        communities' concerns and  solicit feedback.

•       In addition to conducting presentations,
        EJAG will participate in informal
        neighborhood hearings community meetings
        and  house parties.
                                Products:
                                An air pollution and asthma survey was distributed
                                to the people in the north/northeast Portland
                                community, and with the aid of Department of
                                Environmental Quality and Portland State University
                                an "Air Pollution 101" training class was developed.
                                Through EJAG staff and members, more than 700
                                people were engaged in community outreach efforts
                                to solicit input on environmental justice concerns
                                and to build relationships.

                                Successes/Strengths:
                                Community awareness of environmental justice and
                                public health issues in the area was increased.
                                Partnerships and networks with other grassroots
                                organizations as well as state/federal agencies were
                                developed. Increased citizen involvement and
                                empowerment raised visibility of local
                                environmental justice concerns, and increased
                                membership in EJAG. Possible replication of this
                                project in other communities facing similar
                                environmental justice concerns.
                                                     ###
                                                 74

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                      Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 10
                           My Service Mind of Northwest (MSM)
 Grant Number:
 EQ980477-01
Project Coordinator:
Mandy Hea Ma
8627 South Tacoma Way
Lakewood, WA 98499
EPA funding:
$14,957
FY1999
Focus:
Toxic substances,
Indoor Air Quality,
Hazardous Household
Waste Radiation
Targeted Audience:
Low-income Korean-American seniors and youth
immigrants in Pierce, Kitsap, and King Counties.

Purpose:
To educate the Korean-American community about
issues of toxic substances and indoor air pollution,
focusing on the proper usage,  disposal and dangers
of everyday household products. The seniors and
youth of the Korean-American community will learn
how to access help in case of poisoning and inform
the community about ways to minimize and protect
themselves from exposure to radiation.

Goals:
•       To inform the Korean-American community
        about the dangers of toxic household
        products, radiation, and secondhand smoke
        in order to protect themselves and  their
        families.

•       Provide information on the proper usage and
        disposal of toxic household products.

•       Teach the Korean American community
        how to access the public health and
        environmental information systems.

Methods:
•       Recruit volunteers and conduct the "train-
        the-trainer program" by using popular
        education techniques.

•       These volunteers will conduct at least fifteen
        informal seminars for at least 1,600 Korean-
        Americans.

•        Popular communication sources such as the
        newspaper and radio information will be
        used to educate Korean-American
        community.

        MSM will create a clean up event with local
        Korean-American churches and Korean
        Seniors Association.
                               Products:
                               A team of staff and trained volunteers conducted
                               twenty-four one hour presentations at senior
                               apartments, community centers, churches, and Korean
                               radio stations. Presentations, television
                               advertisements and a radio handbook were created
                               and aired on KoAm TV teaching viewers about the
                               dangers of smoking, toxics, and radiation.

                               Succe ss/Str engths:
                               The twenty-four presentations reached more than
                               two-thousand people in the Korean community
                               including children, parents, and the elderly on the
                               dangers of smoking, hazardous household materials
                               and radiation.
                                                    ####
                                                75

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving r" Edition
                                         REGION 10
                                 Native Village ofMekoryuk
Grant Number:
EQ980572-01
Project Coordinator:
Larson King
P.O. Box 66
Mekoryuk, AK 99630
EPA Funding:
$15,000
FY1999
Focus:
Water Quality,
Subsistence
Target Audience:
Native villages and communities relying upon hunting
and subsistence fishing in the Yup'ik coastal area
along the Bering Sea.

Purpose:
To bring Yup'ik coastal communities together to
discuss issues and document observations concerning
changes in the regional environment that affect the
Yup'ik communities' food sources. This information
would then be used to positively impact federal, state,
and private efforts affecting the Yup'ik communities.

Goals:
«       To facilitate communication and information
        exchange, and create partnerships among
        stakeholders.

•       To build community capacity and ability to
        identify local environmental justice
        problems.

•       To  involve the community in the design and
        implementation of activities to address these
        concerns.

Methods:
•       Develop a workshop that will bring all of the
        Yup'ik coastal communities together to unite
        and discuss observations and any concerns
        they may have.
                               •       Collect observations and concerns from the
                                       coastal communities along the Bering Sea to
                                       in order to create a workbook that will
                                       include all of the observations and concerns.

                               Pr odu cts/ResuIts:
                               A workbook was distributed to the  participants of the
                               workshop to gather information. The results and the
                               observations from the villages were compiled and
                               documented.

                               Success/Strengths:
                               The participants facilitating communication and
                               information exchanges accomplished the program
                               goals. Furthermore the workbook used to collect
                               information was put into documentation and will be
                               used to actively participate in the research that will be
                               conducted in the Bering Sea in the  future.
                                                     ###
                                                  76

-------
                     Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                      Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                          REGION 10
Grant Number:
EQ989094601
Oregon Environmental Council (OEC)
Project Coordinator: EPA Funding:
Sarah Doll $15,000
529 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 940 FY 2000
Portland OR, 97204
Focus:
Hazardous Waste
and Air Emissions,
Lead Education
Target Audience:
Community-based groups, neighborhood
associations, healthcare providers (local clinics) and
schools in the Albina area, a minority community in
Portland, OR.

Purpose:
To maximize the impact of the resource guide
developed following a year-long study of
environmental issues faced by the Albina community
by:
•       Implementing an additional program of
        outreach that will engage key community
        residents in a more personal and direct way;

•       Assisting community residents in adopting a
        problem solving approach to meeting the
        community's priority needs;

•       Encouraging  community members to think
        critically about the many environmental
        health challenges facing the community,  and
        identifying ways OEC can be a more
        effective community resource and ally.

Goals:
•       Show community members how to use the
        information in the guide.

•       Directly encourage community members to
        think critically about the many
        environmental challenges facing the
        community.

Methods:
•       Contact key community groups about the
        availability of the resource guide and OEC's
        outreach program.

•       Work with community stakeholders to
        design an interactive presentation format that
        includes use of tools outlined in the resource
        guide.

•       Conduct five presentations to key audiences
        utilizing existing community forums.
•       Expand distribution of resource guide by
        printing 100 additional copies and increasing
        the number of local distribution targets

Products/Results:
•       Completion of at least 5 presentations to
        community groups

        Participation in program by at least 50
        community members

•       Distribution of at least 50 copies of Healthy
        Albina Resource Guide

Successes/Strengths:
Increased community awareness about the existence
and usage of a resource guide. Enhanced community
understanding of environmental and public health
information systems. Community members thinking
critically and actively about issues facing the
communities and resources to address those issues.
                      11,11 It
                      ffftff
                                                 77

-------
                    Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                     Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                                         REGION 10
Grant Number:
EQ980480-01
Valley Family Health Care, INC. (VFHC)
Project Coordinator: ' EPA Funding:
Hugh W. Phillips [ $15,000
1441 NE 10th Avenue ' FY 1999
Paynette, ID 83661
Focus:
Pesticide Education
Water Quality,
Hazardous
Targeted Audience:
Hispanic seasonal and migrant farm workers and their
families, living in communities surrounding the five
VFHC community health centers.

Purpose:
To increase awareness among the Hispanic migrant
and seasonal agriculture workers and their families
about the identification of  pesticides and the health
risks of exposure as well as exposure to other
hazardous substances.

Goals:
•       To bring awareness of chemical dangers and
        risks to rural families.

•       Instruct community members about how to
        keep drinking water and households safe and
        free from contaminants.

•       Instruct the participants about proper
        chemical disposal.

•       Help participants identify possible methods
        of exposure and ways to address exposure.

Methods:
•       Conduct sessions on pesticides education,
        safe drinking water and  proper disposal of
        chemicals and motor oil.

•       Conduct  chemical risk education sessions
        about chemical containers and the proper use
        of household chemicals.

•       Conduct door-to-door outreach in their local
        farm labor camps.
Pro ducts/Results:
A booklet called "Protect Yourself from Pesticides,"
and another pocket sized booklet was developed that
included descriptions of various farm chemicals.

Successes/Strengths:
Migrant farm workers were advised on the dangers at
work and at home so they would be able to protect
their children, family and friends. Easy accessibility
to program information, for example, the pocket-
sized booklet was well received by project
participants because it could be easily carried to the
field and was also informative and easy to share with
co-workers. Similarly, the programs were conducted
at sites familiar and convenient to participants.
                      ###
                                                  78

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
                 Appendix A
      Index to Projects by State Location
   Project location
Page number
   Alabama	 32,33,37,38
   Alaska  	76
   Arizona	72
   California	65-71
   Colorado	 60-62
   Connecticut  	 14,16
   District of Columbia  	 20,21
   Florida  	35
   Idaho	78
   Illinois  	43
   Indiana	 39,42
   Kansas  	55
   Kentucky  	29,34,36
   Maine	8
   Maryland  	 23,24,26,27
   Massachusetts  	5-7,9,11
   Mississippi	 30,31
   Missouri	 54,56
   Montana	63
   Nebraska  	53
   New Hampshire	10
   New Mexico	 48,50
   New York	 15,17
   Ohio	40
   Oregon	 74,77
   Pennsylvania  	19
   Rhode Island  	 12,13
   South Dakota	 58,59
   Texas  	45-47,49,51
   Utah	57
   Virginia  	 22,25
   Washington  	 73,75
   Wisconsin	41
                       79

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving 2" Edition
               Appendix B

         Index to Projects by Focus Area
FOCUS AREA
Air Quality
Children's Health
Environmental Education
and Stewardship
Farmworker Safety
Hazardous Waste
Disposal
Lead Education
Lead and CO2 Education
PCB Contamination
Perchloroethylene (Perc)
Education outreach
Pollution Prevention
Radon
STATE
Colorado
Indiana
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Oregon
Texas!
Washington
California
Texas
California
Connecticut
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Maryland
Massachusetts
Nebraska
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Virginia
Florida
Idaho
Arizona
California
Colorado
Utah
Washington
Alabama
Maryland
Missouri
Alabama
California
Missouri
Mississippi
Kansas
Alabama
PAGE
62
42
5
10
74
45,46,47
73,75
69
49,51
66-68,70
14,16
43
39
29,36
24,27
7,9,11
53
48,50
15,17
40
77
19
12,13
22
35
78
72
65
61
57
75
37
23
56
33
71
54
30,31
55
38
                    ; 80

-------
Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving r> Edition














FOCUS AREA; ;; ; -
Recycling
Water Quality











\STATE^:;.->X /;;;-:•;:.
Massachusetts
Alabama
Alaska
Colorado
District of Columbia
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Montana
South Dakota
Utah
Virginia
Wisconsin
>AGE-;:;;\O:; . ,;xj:
6
32
76
60
20,21
34
8
26
63
58,59
57
25
41














                    81

-------
          Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
           Emerging Tools for Local Problem-Solving y Edition
             EPA Regional Offices and State Breakdown
                     EPA Regional Offices and
                           State Breakdown
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District o( Colombia
Florida

Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indtana ,
Iowa
Kanu»
Kentucky
Louisiana
     AL  IV
     AK  X
     AZ  IX
     AR  VI
     CA  IX
     CO  VIII
     OT  1
     DE  III
     DC  III
     FL  IV
     GA  IV
     HI  IX
     ID
     IL
     IN
     IA  VII
     KS  VII
     KY  IV
     LA  VI
 X
 V
 V
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
MD  III

MT  (/
MN  V
MS  IV
MO  VII
MT  VIII
NE  VII
NV  IX


NM  VI
NY  II
NC  IV
ND  VIII
OH  V
OK  VI
OR  X
PA  III
Rl  '
         South Carolina
         South Dakota
         Tennessee
         Texas
         Utah
         Vermont
         Virginia
         Washington
         Wast Virginia
         Wisconsin
         Wyoming
         American Samoa
         Canal Zone
         Guam
         Puerto Rico
         Trust Territories
         Virgin Islands
   SC  IV
   SO  VIII
   TN  IV
   TX  VI
   UT  VIII
   VT  1
   VA  III
   WA X
   WV III
   Wl  V
   WY VIII
   AS  IX
   CZ
   GU  |X
    T?
    VI
                                                               II
                                                                           >ork
                                                                           stohia
                                                                            VXLMA
                                                                            CTRI
 Region II
CT
ME
MA
NH
Rl
VT

NJ
NY
PR
VI
RegkmlV AL

        GA
        KY
        MS
        NC
        SC
        TN
    Region VI AR

           NM
           OK
           TX
Region VIII CO

        ND
        SO
        UT
        WY
Region X  AK
 ^     ID
                                         82

-------
                        Environmental Justice Small Grants Program
                        Emerging Took for Local Problem-Solving 2-'Edition
                                                Appendix D
                             Environmental Justice  Grant  Contacts
 Region I         Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
                          Ronnie Harrington, (617) 918-1703
                          USEPA  Region 1 (SAA)
                          One Congress Street - 11" Floor
                          Boston, MA 02114-2023

 Region 2         New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
                          Natalie Loney (212) 637-3639
                          USEPA Region 2
                          290 Broadway, 26th Floor
                          New York, NY 10007

 Region 3         Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
                          Reginald Hams  (215)814-2988
                          USEPA Region 3 (MC-3ECOO)
                          1650 Arch Street
                          Philadelphia, PA 19103

 Region 4         Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,
                          South Carolina, Tennessee
                          Gloria Love (404) 562-9672
                          USEPA Region 4
                           61 Forsyth Street, SW
                          Atlanta, GA 30303-8960

 Region 5         Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
                          Margaret Mfflard (312) 353-1440
                          USEPA Region 5 (T-16J))
                          77 West Jackson Boulevard
                          Chicago, IL 60604-3507

 Region 6         Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
                          NeldaPerez(214) 665-2209
                          USEPA Region 6 (RA-D)
                          1445 Ross Avenue, 12th Floor
                          Dallas, Texas 75202-2733

 Region 7         Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
                          Althea Moses (913) 551-7649 or 1-800-223-0425
                          USEPA Region 7
                          726 Minnesota Avenue
                          Kansas City, KS 66101

 Region 8         Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming
                          Nancy Reish (303) 312-6040
                          USEPA Region 8 (8ENF-EJ)
                          999 18th Street, Suite 500
                          Denver, CO 80202-2466

 Region 9         Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam
                          WillardChin (415)972-3797
                          USEPA Region 9 (A-2-2)
          '                75 Hawthorne Street
                          San Francisco, CA 94105

Region 10        Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
                          Cecilia Contreras (206) 553-2899
                          USEPARegion 10(CEJ-163)
                          1200 Sixth Avenue
                          Seattle, WA 98101
National Program Manager
Sheila L. Lewis (202) 564-0152
USEPA Headquarters
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW 2201A
Washington, DC 20460
                                                      83
                                                                              •U.S. Government Printing Office: 2002 — 720-472

-------

-------

-------

-------