Open Doors An information bulletin produced by the US EPA Region 8 Environmental Justice Program June 2000 Spotlight on Community Health Last month in Atlanta, the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) held its 15th meeting which focused on preventing disease and improving health in communities where health disparities exist. NEJAC was established in 1993 to provide independent advice, consultation, and recommendations to EPA's Administrator on matters related to Environmental Justice (EJ). Health disparities may result from disproportionate effects of environmental pollutants and certain socioeconomic and cultural factors. Participants identified the following needs regarding community- based health: a community-based public health model in environmental justice communities more effective community-based efforts incorporation of socioeconomic and cultural factors into community health assessments more effective community-public-private partnerships The NEJAC recommended that EPA: address EJ issues related to persistent organic pollutants; study the incidence of multiple chemical sensitivity in low-income and minority communities; commit resources to remedy issues associated with large-scale confined animal feeding operations in EJ communities; and continue to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. Cleaning Up Communities Summer is in full swing in the Cole and Clayton neighborhoods of Denver. The trees are lush, gardens colorful and earthmovers are preparing to remove lawns, soil, plants and trees from a number of homes this fall. For the second time in the Vasquez Boulevard/1-70 Superfund site study area, the goal will be to remove arsenic-laden soils from selected yards along these tree-lined streets. The yards will be restored to a condition at least as good as before the removal. Last summer, the area was formally designated a Superfund site triggering a series of actions to determine the nature and extent of soil contamination within the study area. Since the designation, Region 8 EPA staff have been working with representatives of the Cole, Clayton, Swansea and Elyria neighborhoods; the Colorado Department of Health and Environment; the City and County of Denver; and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and others. EPA, its partners and community residents meet routinely to discuss the Superfund process and to determine whether all community issues have been considered. There is a long way to go before work at this site is complete, but according to one community member, "It's working." ------- Clean Water for All EPA is joining forces with federal, state and local agencies and organizations to determine the quality of the drinking water available to migrant farm workers. This project brings together farm worker advocates, community organizations and government agencies. Participants in the project will develop a comprehensive list of key contacts and develop a database containing camp locations and water sources. One of the primary goals of the project is to ensure these water sources are safe. This effort was selected by the federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice as one of fifteen national pilot projects. If successful, it may serve as a model for use in other agricultural states. EJ in Natural Resources Community organizers, environmentalists, state, federal and local government representatives and academics agreed to work together to combat environmental injustice. Close to 80 people attended a two-day workshop on Environmental Justice and Natural Resources. The symposium was co-sponsored by the Natural Resources Law Center, EPA Region 8 and the Colorado People's Environmental and Economic Network (COPEEN). The workshop was part of the Law Center's "Environmental Justice in Natural Resources Program," funded by the Ford Foundation. For information on the Center's EJ Program, please contact Kathryn Mutz at kathryn.mutz@colorado.edu or 303-492-1293. Pasa, Doc? A small truck sits idling outside a wooden dormitory, on its bumper you can see the American flag and the message, "Agriculture: the best job in America." Inside the dormitory are close to twenty migrant farm workers; inside the idling truck is the grower who provides housing for these workers and others who pass through Colorado each growing season. Dr. Hendrickson is a physician's assistant with Plan de Salude de Valle, a nonprofit organization that provides health care to migrant farm workers throughout eastern Colorado. For more than a dozen years, he has visited migrant worker camps in his trailer, a mobile medical clinic. Because many migrant farm workers fall outside the traditional parameters of the American health care system, Dr. Hendrickson's visits are often their only chance for medical treatment. Tonight he solicits clients with his limited knowledge of Spanish. Once the first patient enters the trailer, others follow wearing nervous smiles. Some men bring blistered feet and sore joints, others have burning eyes and hearing loss. It is a busy night for Dr. Hendrickson. The grower is upset by Dr. Hendrickson's visit. Although Dr. Hendrickson and his staff focus strictly on health problems, the farmer wonders if the visit will attract the attention of agencies that he feels may interfere with the efficiency of his operation. "What he does not understand," Dr. Hendrickson explains, "is that medical attention helps maintain the efficiency of his work force." Like Dr. Hendrickson, many government agencies want to provide services to vulnerable populations who may not have access to adequate health care, housing, nutrition or even clean drinking water. At EPA, staff are learning from grassroots organizations like Plan de Salude de Valle how to best reach workers and the growers who employ them. By working together to keep the farm a safe place to be, agencies, organizations, growers and workers, can ensure that agriculture really is the best job in America. EPA Spanish Hotline: 1-800-312-6384 ------- EJ Small Grants Program Grant selections for this year will be awarded in September. Although we received many excellent proposals, we were unfortunately limited to only $50,000 to award in Region 8. We anticipate continued funding next year with similar funding levels. Guidance should available in December 2000. Proposals will be due the first week of March 2001. Keep in mind that although our funding is limited, we also try identify additional funding sources for qualified project proposals. If you would like to fine tune your grant writing skills, Nancy Reish and Marcella DeVargas offer a three hour grant writing workshop. If your organization would like to host a workshop in your area, please contact either Nancy or Marcella for details. Community Internships The EPA Office of Environmental Justice has provided resources to support five environmental justice internships in Region 8: Colorado The International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management • Colorado People's Environmental and Economic Network (COPEEN) • Front Range Earth Force • Environmental Defense Montana (N. Cheyenne Reservation) • Native Action Keep an eye on the website: www.eco.org for information on the types of organizations involved & internships offered through this program. EJ Brown Bag Speakers Don't miss these great speakers! Pete Padilla: A Day in the Life of a Migrant Farm Worker August 15th Tom King: Using Cultural Resource Laws to fight injustice September 19 EPA Conference Center 11:30-12:30 EJ Listens to Denver Community Denver community leaders met with EPA representatives at the Swansea Recreation Center on May 1st. During the information-exchange meeting, community members shared concerns regarding a range of issues. Issues discussed included: how to define EJ, what works well in the EJ Program, how to improve the program, cleanup levels, partnerships, community representation on advisory boards and the need for a joint strategy between EPA and the community. Elisabeth Evans, Director of the Regional EJ Program, served as the facilitator and Barry Hill, Director of the Office of Environmental Justice, provided opening remarks. Community representation at the meeting included: Globeville, Clayton, Swansea and Montbellow neighborhoods. There was also representation from the Natural Resources Law Center and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. ------- US EPA Region 8 999 18lhStSte500 Denver, CO 80202-2466 Attn: ENF-EJ REGION 8 EPA's OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CONTACT INFORMATION V * 9 J (303)312-xxxxor . -p- . Toll Free Number 1-800-227-8917 plus extension lastname.firstname@epa.gov Elisabeth Evans Nancy Reish x6053 x6040 Director Small Grants Coordinator Deldi Reyes x6055 CIS Coordinator EJ in Indian Country EJ Workshops Debra Lucas x6845 Marcel la DeVargas x6161 Administrative Assistant EJ through Pollution Prevention Grants Brenda South x7076 State Liaison N. Denver Environmental Initiative Desiree Mondragon - SIS x6975 Database & Info. Coordinator Jan Buhrmann - Intern x6557 EJ Policy Michael Wenstrom - SEE x7009 Social Impact Assessment Superfund Liason ------- |