-------
Factsheet
sources or contaminants. In addition, Region 3
has initiated risk studies in Chester, PA and
South/Southwest Philadelphia to develop
scientifically valid measurements.
EPA is committed to work with other federal
agencies to address these health issues, such as
with the Public Health Service (PHS) on
Medical Assistance Plan (MAP) pilots.
2) Data Collection, Analysis, and Stakeholder
Access to Information
The Agency is currently using and evaluating
several tools, such as a mainframe computer
geographic information systems (GIS) and a
personal computer-based LandView II™, to
put information on demographics, pollution
sources and geography into the hands of local
communities.
3) Partnerships, Outreach and
Communication with Stakeholders
OSWER is emphasizing partnerships with all
affected stakeholders to achieve environmental
justice. For example, pilot activities at Super-
fund sites highlight the need for extensive
involvement by other agencies in order to
address public health concerns associated with
environmental contamination. Expanding public
participation in Superfund Community Advi-
sory Groups (CAGs) is one of several other
methods designed to inform and involve local
communities.
Major economic redevelopment activities, such
as the "brownfields" initiative and worker
training, will require partnerships. In outreach
and communication with all stakeholders,
OSWER has been very active and has many
initiatives planned for the future.
4) Native American, Indigenous and Tribal
Programs
OSWER is increasing financial and technical
assistance to Tribal governments and Native
Alaskan villages. For example, OSWER will
publish regulations that will enable tribes to
obtain solid waste permit program approval
from EPA, similar to State permit programs.
During the summer of 1995, OSWER is con-
ducting a special solicitation of additional
comments on the Action Agenda from Tribes
and Native Alaskan villages.
5) Integrating of Environmental Justice into
all Agency's Activities
A major catalyst for future action was created
when OSWER issued a directive, in July 1994,
to require that environmental justice be ad-
dressed in all OSWER policies and regulation?.
OSWER has made changes to its internal
structure and operations to make environmental
justice a normal part of the way we administer
OSWER programs. OSWER will work with
the Regions to ensure that all employees
working on waste programs are informed on
environmentaljustice.
The sixth environmentaljustice mission area of
enforcement and compliance review is considered
outside OSWER's authority, however, OSWER works
closely with EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compli-
ance Assurance (OECA) when these issues arise.
For More Information
Copies of the Action Agenda will be available,
when printed, through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service (NTIS) at (703) 487-4650. Order Docu-,
ment number: EPA540/R-95/023. If you have, ques-
tions, please contact Jim Maas at (202) 260-8927.
------- |