U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 2
ACTION PLAN TO INTEGRATE
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
FISCAL YEAR 2009
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Table of Contents
ITEM PAGE
Region 2 Environmental Justice Program 3
Management Accountability 3
Internal Organizational Engagement 3
External Stakeholder Engagement 4
Data Collection, Management and Evaluation 6
Professional and Organizational Development 7
Environmental Justice Assessments 8
Program Evaluation 8
Performance Measures Matrix
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MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY
EPA Region 2 is committed to providing equal protection to all by integrating environmental
justice considerations throughout its regional programs, policies, and activities. Accordingly, the
Region continues to incorporate the principles of environmental justice (EJ) into its managerial
and programmatic activities.
In December 2000, EPA Region 2 issued its Interim EJ Policy and Program Guidelines. This
document serves as an instrument for managers and staff to identify, target, and be responsive to
EJ concerns raised by segments of the population that may experience disproportionately high
and adverse human health and environmental burdens. The document is divided into a policy
statement along with the following set of guidelines: (1) Conducting EJ Analyses; (2) EJ and
Permitting; EJ and Enforcement; (3) EJ and Community Involvement; and (4) EJ and the
Superfund Program. By implementing the Interim EJ Policy document, the Region positions
itself towards ensuring its communities and stakeholders will receive equal protection and move
towards livable, sustainable communities. To view the EPA Region 2 Interim EJ Policy
document in its entirety, it can be accessed at the following website:
http://www.epa.gov/region02/ej/poltoc.htm
Recently, the Region has complimented its EJ policy and guidelines to include enhanced
program evaluation protocols. By applying these protocols, management will be able to gauge
on a more nationally consistent basis the effectiveness of our programs and activities to address
environmental justice concerns as well as identify opportunities that may strengthen our EJ
integration efforts.
To this end, the Region's management and organizational structure fully promotes the
integration of environmental justice within existing regulatory and program frameworks,
including their implementation. The fact that the Region 2 Environmental Justice Office is
positioned within the Office of the Regional Administrator emphasizes the importance Region
2's management places on achieving environmental justice within our jurisdiction.
INTERNAL ORGANIZATIONAL ENGAGEMENT
In 1994, the Region created the position of Environmental Justice Coordinator. The primary
function of the EJ Coordinator position is to provide advice, counsel, analysis and assistance to
the Region's Senior Management officials, including the Regional Administrator, on EJ-related
policy matters in the Region. Included within the duties and responsibilities of the EJ
Coordinator position is: the management of the Environmental Justice Small Grants program;
development of regional EJ training materials; dissemination of EJ-related information and
documents; provide consultation on the creation of computer-based applications aimed toward
identifying potential EJ communities; participation at meetings and events as the Region's EJ
representative. Further, the EJ Coordinator serves as the chair of Region 2's Environmental
Justice Workgroup. As the Environmental Justice Coordinator serves as the primary focal point
to the Regional Administrator and Deputy Regional Administrator concerning the Region's
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Environmental Justice Program, frequent communication occurs in the Office of the Regional
Administrator to discuss significant EJ activities as well as the intended outcomes of these efforts
and the overall performance of the program. With respect to the overall network of staff
involved in communicating environmental justice activities, a description can be found below.
The Regional EJ Work Group (REJWG), as established in 1994 by Regional Order R-4700.6,
assists the EJ Coordinator by having its members operate under the dual functions of providing
program-specific activities to the Regional EJ Coordinator as well as disseminating information
and activities of national and/or regional significance to their respective offices. The operation
of this regional membership allows for cross-communication of EJ-related activities among the
varying levels within the organization. Through the utilization of the Region's EJ policy and
guidelines, the EJ Action Plan, Divisional EJ Implementation plans, and the network of
management and staff communicating and supporting EJ activities, Region 2 positions itself to
promote the integration of environmental justice within its day-to-day operational activities.
As noted previously, the Region intends to fully utilize, where applicable, the enhanced set of
Agency EJ program review protocols. These function-specific protocols (i.e. for permitting;
enforcement & compliance assistance, and cleanup & remediation) will serve to properly
evaluate the effectiveness of our programs towards the integration of environmental justice. It is
expected that the EJ Coordinator and REJWG members will be instrumental in these program
evaluations.
EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
The Region utilizes several routes/mechanisms to receive input on EJ issues from external
stakeholders. A popular approach is to engage the stakeholders through hosting community
dialogue (a.k.a. EJ listening sessions) in our states. As a case in point, in January 2008, the
Region co-sponsored along with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
and the NYC Mayor Offices of Legislative Affairs, and Long-Term Sustainability, an EJ
community dialogue session in NYC. With over 100 participants on hand, comprised of
community representatives from all NYC boroughs as well as high-level government officials,
the active participation and discourse proved to be a successful event for all parties involved. As
a result of this interaction, the agencies have agreed to follow through by responding to
community issues that are specific to their jurisdiction as well as to collaborate with other co-
sponsors on areas of mutual interest.
Besides the above, there are external groups that are poised to provide advice and
recommendations to the Region. The New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation's Environmental Justice Advisory Group and the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection's Environmental Equity Advisory Council provide feedback to Region
2 on methods and applications these two state regulatory departments may consider in addressing
EJ. Information shared and collected through these state-wide EJ groups allow for Regional
managers and staff to enhance their understanding of local, state, and community EJ concerns.
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As a means to further engage the States and Tribal Nations on environmental justice, the Region
will continue to utilize Performance Partnership Agreement/Grant (PPA/PPG) mechanisms as an
opportunity for this to occur. An example where this occurred was in the 2002-2004 New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection's PPA with Region 2, whereby specific policy language
was included regarding the consideration of EJ in the implementation of its environmental
programs. Another example involved the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT). The SRMT
identified EJ considerations in its multi-year (2006-2010) PPA. The Region will continue to
encourage New York, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and other federally-recognized tribal
nations to consider addressing EJ through their PPAs and PPGs.
The regional environmental protection programs continue to employ the use of public
availability sessions, town hall meetings, and a multitude of media exchanges to solicit and
engage the public in regional activities that may include EJ concerns and/or implications.
In addition, the Region continues to utilize several mechanisms to share environmental justice-
related information to its communities and other stakeholders. One method is through posting
information on the Region's Environmental Justice website, located at:
http://www.epa.gov/region02/community/ej .htm Another method involves the use of mass-
mailing campaigns. Through the collection of physical and electronic mailing addresses (e.g.,
Region 2's Community Organization Tracking System), the Region maintains an extensive
database of individuals and organizations interested in environmental justice.
Also, the Region maintains an e-mail List-Serv whereby on-line readers can receive periodic
updates without requesting such information through other options (e.g., letter inquiries,
Freedom of Information Act requests, etc.) Further, this effort is greatly increased as the
Region's Environmental Justice Coordinator, and both the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation EJ
Coordinators readily communicate information to each of their respective e-mail groups, thus
covering a larger segment of the statewide "universe" of interested parties. Groups which
continue to benefit from these activities are community organizations, students, teachers, and
members of the general public.
Over the years, the Region has developed ties with numerous stakeholder groups in its
jurisdiction. Understandably, the more vocal organizations have sought us out, providing us with
their issues. The task, though, we faced was to explore avenues in reaching/connecting with
other community-based stakeholders. To accomplish this, we have sponsored various meetings
for the purpose of gaining input from these groups. The meetings that we have held have been in
the form of roundtable discussions, community dialogues/listening sessions, public meetings, EJ
training, and through workshop demonstrations.
In addition, the Region maintains an extensive EJ mailing list that includes the names and
addresses of many stakeholders in the Region who have, at one time or another, expressed
interest in environmental justice. To ensure that we have not missed a new or unknown
organization, we ask recipients of our mailings to pass along the information to their respective
contacts interested who are interested in receiving the same.
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Finally, through the utilization of desktop computer/internet-based geographic information
system (GIS) applications aimed toward identifying potential EJ communities; the Region can
target certain communities and cross-reference the communication databases with addresses
captured within a particular boundary. This greatly increases our chances of connecting with
residents who live in those communities.
We employ a variety of mechanisms to promote collaborative problem-solving among our
stakeholders. As in the case of a permit issuance, we highly encourage applicants to reach out,
early on in the process, to the residents of the impacted community to provide relevant
information concerning the type of facility to be constructed and its intended operation. This
practice of early notification and meaningful involvement allows for the applicants to become
better educated on the environmental, health and quality of life concerns experienced by the
communities. In addition, it provides residents the opportunity to become better educated on the
role this facility may impose on them. Another way we promote collaborative problem solving
is to recommend to applicants the establishment of "Good Neighbor" arrangements, such as
identifying alternate truck routes, periods of operation, and fostering community-based
surveillance. In the event of civil enforcement cases, there does exist the opportunity to apply a
portion of the stipulated penalties towards a viable supplemental environmental project for the
benefit of the community. The decision, however, to proceed along this route is contingent upon
not only legal or programmatic restrictions that may exist, but how amenable the parties are to
resolving the action. As we continue to interact with the regulated community and residents, we
will continue to explore and, where feasible, offer the use of alternative dispute resolution and
other mediation techniques to foster collaborative problem solving among the parties.
The Region has a Translation Policy in place, which identifies particular documents that will be
translated from English into other languages. This policy was implemented as a way of ensuring
that members of limited English-speaking communities are able to understand documents that
contain general information about Region 2 programs, policies and actions. The translation
policy, though, does not include documents that are subject to legal interpretation.
Also, the Region has available an extensive library of non-English informational materials to
provide to interested stakeholders. Primarily, these materials are maintained by the Public
Affairs Division, which are available to the public as well as available at certain events in which
non-English speaking participants may attend.
DATA COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT, AND EVALUATION
The following list of activities and tools are used to collect community-based information for
Region 2: community dialogues ("EJ listening sessions"); public availability sessions; town hall
meetings; telephone and electronic mail inquiries; incoming letters and facsimiles; newspapers
(physical and electronic); community organization newsletters; public radio addresses; Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA) requests; NEJAC meetings and reports; State/local government-
sponsored events.
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In addition to the above, the Region utilizes a variety of federally-managed databases in
performing its EJ assessments, including EPA (e.g., AIRS, PSC, RCRIS, CERCLIS,
EnviroFacts, etc.), CDC/ATSDR, Census files (SF1-4). Combined, these sources provide
analysts with a snapshot of a community's condition relative to socio-economic, environmental,
and public health impacts. Further, these same datasets could be applied, over time, to evaluate a
community's environmental well-being against an initial baseline assessment.
PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
During the 1990s, the Region developed and conducted a region-wide environmental justice
training to its employees. The full-day training session was geared toward providing participants
with the latest EJ developments from a national perspective, regional EJ initiatives underway
and/or planned, discussion of prominent state/local/community issues raised involving claims of
environmental injustice, the relationship between EJ and Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act,
as well as mentioning available federal funding mechanisms to non-profit organizations,
universities and local government agencies to address EJ. The total number of Region 2 staff
trained then amounted to nearly 1,000. In addition to providing the region-wide EJ training,
divisional/program EJ training sessions were provided to the technical staff. The focus of this
training was to educate technical staff in innovative approaches to address EJ in the context of
permitting and enforcement activities.
For the past two years, the Region has supported several staff to serve as National EJ trainers of
the EJ Fundamentals Course as developed by the National Environmental Justice Training
Collaborative. Region 2 EJ trainers have presented several modules of the EJ Fundamentals
course, as a pilot, to staff in the Region's Caribbean Environmental Programs Division located in
Puerto Rico. Additionally, we are considering the prospect of conducting a train-the-trainer
course for interested Regional staff desiring to be EJ Trainers. The EJ Coordinator continues to
collaborate with the Office of Personnel Management to identify new and/or recently
transit!oned employees in need of EJ training.
With respect to external EJ training, the Region has provided EJ-related training workshops to
members of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Environmental
Justice Advisory Council, several New York City Environmental Justice community
organizations, the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Puerto Rico
Subcommittee members on a range of EJ-related topics, e.g., the Region 2 Interim
Environmental Justice Policy, Elements of a Region 2 Environmental Justice Analysis, and
demonstrations of Region 2's GIS-based applications developed to display demographic as well
as environmental information to computer users. With the recent issuance of EPA protocols for
conducting EJ reviews and the adoption of a national geographic tool for assessing
environmental and human health burden the Region is preparing to offer updated EJ training for
internal staff.
Currently, shared learning is promoted during the Regional EJ Work Group and Divisional EJ
Subgroup sessions. Noteworthy items are raised during the "New Items of Business" portion. In
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addition, as program staff interact on a frequent basis with their respective EJ subgroup
members, the opportunity increases for shared learning of actual field experiences.
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ASSESSMENTS
The Region 2 Interim Environmental Justice Policy document includes an extensive guideline for
conducting an environmental justice analysis. The applicable sections of the document which
describes the elements of the analysis can be viewed at the following website:
http://www.epa.gov/region02/ej/guidelines.htm
Further, the GIS-based tools which are referenced in the guideline (i.e., the EJ Demographic
Screening and the Environmental Load Profile) are available on the Region's internal Intranet.
By allowing staff direct access to these computer tools on individual desktops, facilitates the
gathering of environmental and other relevant data for use in their particular decision-making
process.
To assist regional managers and staff in identifying whether certain segments of the population
may experience a disproportionate share of burden, the Region has developed a series of
Geographic Information System (GIS) based computer applications to investigate the
demographic makeup of a selected area as well as to "view" where environmental impact/burden
may exist in relationship to reference values for several parameters. These applications consist
of incorporating U.S. Census data, EPA environmental datasets and a statistical software
program to calculate reference values. The applications are available to staff on the region's
Intranet website. In addition, Regional staff also utilize an Agency-wide geographic platform,
Enviromapper, to identify noteworthy landmarks (e.g., schools, hospitals, etc.) to gain a greater
understanding of a community's quality of life. Where consistent health data exists, it too will be
applied to the EJ assessment to gauge the health condition of a community and its residents.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
Recently, the Region has complimented its EJ policy and guidelines to include a set of
nationally-developed program evaluation protocols. By applying these protocols, management
will be able to gauge on a more nationally consistent basis the effectiveness of our programs and
activities to address environmental justice concerns as well as identify opportunities that may
strengthen our EJ integration efforts. The current set of EJ review protocols are established for
the following core Agency functions: (i) standard-setting/regulatory development/rulemaking;
(ii) permitting; (iii) enforcement and compliance assistance; and (iv) cleanup and remediation.
In FY2009, Region 2 plans to conduct an EJ review (using the Enforcement and Compliance
Assistance protocol) of the Worker Protection Standards program. This review has been
scheduled to begin in early 2009.
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Region 2's FY09 Environmental Justice Action Plan
Robust, Results-oriented Activities and EJ Reviews
Division
CEPD
DECA
DEPP
ERRD
Robust, Results-Oriented Activity
• Non-PRASA Drinking Water
Systems & Communities
• Worker Protection Standards
• Region 2 Asthma Program
Strategy
• Annual Indian Nation Leaders
Conference
• 2006-2011 Performance
Partnership Agreement with
SRMT
• Use of Clean Diesel Technology
in Site Response Actions in EJ
Communities
• Brownfields Job Training
Program
E J Review
• Worker Protection Standards
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Addressing Non-PRASA Drinking Water Systems and Communities in Puerto Rico
Millions of Americans receive high quality drinking water every day from their public
water systems, (which may be publicly or privately owned). Nonetheless, drinking water
safety cannot be taken for granted. There are a number of threats to drinking water:
improperly disposed of chemicals; animal wastes; pesticides; human wastes; wastes
injected deep underground; and naturally-occurring substances can all contaminate
drinking water. Likewise, drinking water that is not properly treated or disinfected, or
which travels through an improperly maintained distribution system, may also pose a
health risk
Non-PRASA systems (i.e., not connected to the island-wide municipal drinking water
infrastructure operated by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority) are privately
owned systems, which usually serve small communities or even just a few homes. They
serve a total of approximately 120,000 people (3% of the island's population), mostly in
rural areas. In general terms, Non-PRASA systems: have poor compliance with
regulations and minimal operation and maintenance practices; and have little or no
technical nor financial capacity. They include approximately 247 systems.
• Through a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP), the Villa Blanca
community (a small privately owned system) will be connected to a Puerto Rico
Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA)municipal drinking water system. This
action will directly result in the connection of 800 people to a PRASA drinking
water system, and the closure a Non-PRASA water supply which is in violation to
SDWA requirements. In addition, outreach will be conducted to significant
noncompliant communities with SDWA requirements. This action will result in
educating system users/residents of potential environmental health risks. In turn,
these efforts will mitigate serious health risks associated with the lack of
disinfection.
Region 2 Review of the Worker Protection Standards
The WPS is a federal regulation designed to protect employees on farms, forests,
nurseries, and greenhouses from occupational exposures to agricultural pesticides. The
WPS offers protections to approximately 2.5 million agricultural workers (people
involved in the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people who mix,
load, or apply pesticides) that work at over 600,000 agricultural establishments. The WPS
represents a major strengthening of national efforts to safeguard the health of agricultural
workers and pesticide handlers. Effective implementation of the WPS will substantially
lower the risk of pesticide poisonings among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers.
• Region 2 will perform an assessment of EJ integration within its implementation
of the WPS program. Follow-up recommendations will be integrated EJ into
WPS program. This effort will achieve significant reduction of occupational
exposure to agricultural pesticides among field workers.
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Region 2 Asthma Program Strategy - Asthma is a serious life threatening respiratory
disease which affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. Over 22 million
people including 6.8 million children suffer from asthma and the prevalence is higher
among low income families. For example, African Americans have much higher medical
visits and the disease affects approximately 2 million Hispanic Americans and Puerto
Ricans (125% higher than the rate for Non-Hispanic Caucasian Americans). The Asthma
Program strategy outlines efforts which will result in reducing or preventing related
deaths and mortality, including asthma attacks from indoor and outdoor air pollutants.
The goal by 2012 is to have 6.5 million people undertaking essential action to manage
asthma triggers.
(New Jersey)
• Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition ofNJ (PA CNJ) ALANJ
To increase public awareness that asthma is a manageable disease that can be
controlled through a public awareness campaign; provide professional asthma
education for classroom teachers; provide an asthma management system to
childcare providers; change the culture of NJ schools in their approach to healthy
school environments and promote and advance the implementation of asthma
action plans in NJ schools.
PACNJ's work in schools was awarded national recognition with a Special
Achievement Award at the 2007 Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools
Symposium. With work in Newark completed, PACNJ will look to partner with
other NJ urban schools to improve asthma management in schools and child care
centers.
PACNJ has recently updated its Statewide Asthma Treatment plan and
instructions and it is now available at www.pacnj.org in 7 languages based on
recommendations from NJ Health officials (Chinese, French Creole, Gujariti,
Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, and Tagalog.) This Asthma Treatment Plan has
been adopted by Horizon Mercy, one of the largest Medicaid Managed Care
providers in the State.
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(Puerto Rico)
• University of Puerto Rico - Allied Health
Train health educators/ caseworkers to conduct in-home environmental
assessments and training of asthma patients and their families at several sites
around the island. Conduct health care provider training and follow-up, including
nurses and physicians who are part of the Health Care Reform Program (Managed
Care). Hold the "Asmarlin" the Asthma Magician in elementary schools in areas
with the highest asthma rates.
• IAQ Tools for Schools/Asthma in Puerto Rico
Conduct a comprehensive community based in-home asthma education and
intervention program that includes implementing educational sessions and in-
home visits and follow-up visits.
Region 2 Indian Nation Leaders Meeting: Region 2's senior management team and
the Leaders of 7 federally-recognized Indian Nations meet on an annual basis to share,
exchange and discuss environmental-related concerns affecting tribal regions/areas. A
direct output from this multi-day event is the generation of an "action items" database.
Throughout the collaborative process, multi-faceted initiatives are formed that have
specific outputs and concrete, measurable environmental and human health
improvements. Region 2 continues to build strong partnerships with tribal governments
as it seeks to protect human health and the environment in Indian Country.
• In FY09, the 13th Annual Indian Nations Leaders meeting will take place in East
Syracuse, NY and span December 1-4, 2008. In addition to Region 2, the state
environmental agency, NYSDEC, and its Commissioner, are scheduled to
participate.
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe 2006-2011 Performance Partnership Agreement: The multi-
year Performance Partnership Agreement will serve as the primary environmental
planning document for the Tribe, and as a work plan for several of its programs. By
investing in the use of this innovative management tool, Region 2 and SRMT seek to
work collectively in addressing long-term environmental planning via goal setting
processes. This effort seeks to ensure the highest degree of environmental quality for the
SRMT community. Region 2 continues to build strong partnerships with tribal
governments to protect human health and the environment in Indian Country.
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Region 2 Requirement for Use of Clean Diesel technology at EPA-Directed Site
Response Actions in EJ Communities and Other Densely Populated Areas:
The Superfund program frequently carries out response actions that involve the extensive
use of diesel equipment. Uncontrolled diesel engine emissions include substantial
amounts of fine particulate matter, a dangerous air pollutant. EJ communities and other
densely populated areas are often exposed to unhealthy amounts of fine parti culate air
pollution. When EPA carries out cleanups in these areas (or requires responsible parties
to carry out the cleanups), we may unintentionally exacerbate the fine particulate
problem.
• During F Y-2009 Region 2 will begin to require the use of clean diesel technology
wherever practicable at EPA-directed cleanups (whether federally or privately
funded), particularly near EJ communities and other densely populated areas. As
a measure of success we will track and report the number of response actions at
which clean diesel technology is employed
Regional Support for Brownfields Job Training Program: The Brownfields Worker
Training Program produces a workforce skilled in environmental remediation around
Brownfields impacted communities. It provides opportunities for unemployed residents
with the skills needed to gain full-time employment in environmental remediation,
construction, and Brownfields redevelopment-related work through the awarding of
Brownfields job training cooperative agreements to differing communities throughout the
United States.
• Provide regional assistance to Brownfields Job Training programs through staff
involvement along with career exposure workshops for trainees and capacity
building/program development support workshops for project coordinators
(grantees). Regional support and involvement with the Job Training programs
will enhance the programs to ensure success.
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PERFORMANCE MEASURES MATRIX
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Addressing Non-PRASA Drinking Water Systems in Puerto Rico
Millions of Americans receive high quality drinking water every day from their public water systems, (which may be
publicly or privately owned). Nonetheless, drinking water safety cannot be taken for granted. There are a number of threats to drinking
water: improperly disposed of chemicals; animal wastes; pesticides; human wastes; wastes injected deep underground; and naturally-
occurring substances can all contaminate drinking water. Likewise, drinking water that is not properly treated or disinfected, or which
travels through an improperly maintained distribution system, may also pose a health risk.
Non-PRASA systems (i.e., communities not connected to the island-wide municipal drinking water infrastructure operated
by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority) are privately owned systems, which usually serve small communities or even just
a few homes. They serve a total of approximately 120,000 people (3% of the island's population), mostly in rural areas. In general
terms, Non-PRASA systems: have poor compliance with regulations and minimal operation and maintenance practices; and have little
or no technical nor financial capacity. They include approximately 247 systems.
Activities/ Resources/
/Partners
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Villa Blanca Community
connection to PRASA
drinking water system thru a
Supplemental
Environmental Project
Connecting 800 people
to PRASA drinking
water system and
closing a Non PRASA
water supply which is
in violation to SDWA
requirements
Understanding health
risk associated with
the lack of proper
water treatment
Acceptance from the
Community to be
connected to
PRASA'snew
drinking water plant
Avoid serious health
risk associated with the
lack of disinfection
Cristina Maldonado
CEPD-MWPB
787-977-5835
maldonado. cri stina@epa.
gov
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Region 2 Review of Worker Protection Standards (WPS)
The WPS is a federal regulation designed to protect employees on farms, forests, nurseries, and greenhouses from
occupational exposures to agricultural pesticides. The WPS offers protections to approximately 2.5 million agricultural workers
(people involved in the production of agricultural plants) and pesticide handlers (people who mix, load, or apply pesticides) that work
at over 600,000 agricultural establishments. The WPS represents a major strengthening of national efforts to safeguard the health of
agricultural workers and pesticide handlers. Effective implementation of the WPS will substantially lower the risk of pesticide
poisonings among agricultural workers and pesticide handlers.
Activities/ Resources/
/Partners
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Create a review team to
apply EPA's Environmental
Justice Enforcement and
Compliance Review
Protocol to WPS program
Conduct review to assess
the extent of EJ integration
in the WPS program.
An assessment of EJ
integration of WPS
program
Recommendations to
further integrate EJ
into WPS program
Implementation of
recommendations
Significant reduction of
occupational exposure
to agricultural
pesticides.
Dr. Adrian Enache
DECA/PTSB
732-321-6769
enache.adrian@epa.gov
Derval Thomas DECA/IO
Tel: 212-637-4028
thomas.derval@epa.gov
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Region 2 Asthma Program Strategy
Asthma is a serious life threatening respiratory disease which affects the quality of life for millions of Americans. Over 22
million people including 6.8 million children suffer from asthma and the prevalence is higher among low income families. For
example, African Americans have much higher medical visits and the disease affects approximately 2 million Hispanic Americans and
Puerto Ricans (125% higher than the rate for Non-Hispanic Caucasian Americans). The Asthma Program strategy outlines efforts
which will result in reducing or preventing related deaths and mortality, including asthma attacks from indoor and outdoor air
pollutants. The goal by 2012 is to have 6.5 million people undertaking essential action to manage asthma triggers.
NOTE: Activities can be found on next page.
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Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Pediatric/Adult Asthma
Coalition of NJ (PACNJ)
ALANJ
To increase public awareness
that asthma is a manageable
disease that can be controlled
through a public awareness
campaign; provide
professional asthma education
for classroom teachers;
provide an asthma
management system to
childcare providers; change
the culture of NJ schools in
their approach to healthy
school environments and
promote and advance the
implementation of asthma
action plans in NJ schools.
Conduct an awards
breakfast with
NJDHSS
Commissioner and
EPA'sRA for PACNJ
Asthma Friendly
School Award
Conduct 1 day
training on Indoor Air
Quality Tools for
Schools and Asthma
Friendly School
Award.
Spring Asthma
Awareness Campaign
- including
recognition for
'Asthma Friendly'
Schools
On Nov 2, 2006
135 schools
representing
70,000 students
received
recognition for
improvements to
make their schools
more Asthma
Friendly
At least 200
additional schools,
including at least 1
urban district will
qualify for this
award. This effort
will impact
approximately
100,000 students
Reduction in ER visits
for children in schools
receiving award
during normal peak in
October
Paul Giardina, Chief
DEPP-Radiation & Indoor Air
Branch
212-637-4005
giardina.paul@epa.gov
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PACNJ's work in schools was
awarded national recognition
with a Special Achievement
Award at the 2007 Indoor Air
Quality Tools for Schools
Symposium. With work in
Newark completed, PACNJ
will look to partner with other
NJ urban schools to improve
asthma management in schools
and child care centers.
PACNJ has recently updated
its Statewide Asthma
Treatment plan and
instructions and it is now
available at www.pacnj.org in
7 languages based on
recommendations from NJ
Health officials (Chinese,
French Creole, Gujariti,
Korean, Portuguese, Spanish,
Tagalog.) This Asthma
Treatment Plan has been
adopted by Horizon Mercy,
one of the largest Medicaid
Managed Care providers in the
State.
Develop criteria for
'renewal' of Asthma
Friendly School
Award
Continue professional
education for NJ
school nurses and
teachers through
Asthma Action plan
CD-Rom training and
faculty in service
Continue tracking
trainings with post
tests and surveys
Asthma Management
for Child Care
Providers
Distribute Top 10
Asthma Triggers to
providers to share
with families -
through State's EPIC
program to Train
pediatricians
Work with 200 Health
care providers from
Federally Qualified
Health Center's
Work towards full
adoption of IAQ
management plan.
School nurses will
report a reduction
in early dismissals
for students with
asthma
Assessment of
provider action to
reduce exposure to
at least 1 trigger
Insurance
companies and
FQHC'swill value
Trigger
management and
Feedback from
insurance companies
and possibly FQHC's
on ER visits and
Paul Giardina, Chief
DEPP-Radiation & Indoor Air
Branch
212-637-4005
giardina.paul@epa.gov
-------
(FQHC) and others
attending the Asthma
Summit to supply
educational materials
for patient education
Add web clips on
trigger management
and Home Inspection
form to web site
Track web
hits/downloads of
materials and
information
distribute these
materials
hospitalizations rates
University of Puerto Rico -
Allied Health
Train health educators/
community health workers to
conduct in-home
environmental assessments
and training of asthma patients
and their families at several
sites around the island, as
certified asthma instructors.
Conduct health care provider
training and follow-up,
including nurses and
physicians who are part of the
Health Care Reform Program
(Managed Care). Hold the
"Asmarlin" the Asthma
Magician in elementary
schools in areas with the
highest asthma rates.
Train 100 new asthma
instructors who will
be responsible for
conducting 100 in-
home visits and
educating 1000
families
Conduct the Asmarlin
sessions in 8 schools
100 families to
have increased
awareness on how
to take direct
action on reducing
asthma triggers in
the home
1000 families
potentially will
have increased
awareness and
knowledge
100 families to
take direct action
on reducing
asthma triggers in
the home
1000 families
potentially will
take direct action
to reduce env.
Triggers in the
home
8 schools to adopt
asthma
management
programs to
reduce triggers.
100 families will
directly benefit by
having a reduction in
hospital visits,
number of asthma
attacks and missed
school days
1000 families
potentially will also
benefit by having a
reduction in hospital
visits, number of
asthma attacks and
missed school days
8 schools adopting
asthma management
programs to reduce
triggers which
directly result in more
symptom-free days,
higher attendance, etc.
Paul Giardina, Chief
DEPP-Radiation & Indoor Air
Branch
212-637-4005
giardina.paul@epa.gov
-------
NY IAQ Tools for Schools
Network
The IAQ Tools for Schools
Network is a 2-part workshop
series that provides classroom
training and hands-on
technical support for NJ
schools adopting IAQ TFS
50 school personnel
trained
10,000 students
will have
improved indoor
air quality
Paul Giardina, Chief
DEPP-Radiation & Indoor Air
Branch
212-637-4005
giardina.paul@epa.gov
IAQ Tools for Schools/
Asthma in Puerto Rico
Conduct and implement a
comprehensive and
customized IAQ Champions
program within schools with
high asthma rates. This
involves training school
teachers, school supervisors
and superintendants on the
IAQ TFS program. After
training has been completed,
schools will conduct
walkthroughs and develop a
list of areas of concern with a
list of possible mitigation
techniques. The trained school
teacher will then be
responsible in developing and
sustaining a school's IAQ team
which will then address the list
of problems within the school.
50 teachers trained
50 teachers with
increased
awareness and
knowledge of tools
to reduce asthma
triggers in schools
50 teachers and
many students and
their families will
have incorporated
asthma trigger
management in
their schools.
50 schools will
have adopted IAQ
TFS, and 1,500
school children
will have
improved IAQ
Resulting in fewer
IAQ complaints,
missed school days,
fewer asthma attacks,
fewer ER visits
Paul Giardina, Chief
DEPP-Radiation & Indoor Air
Branch
212-637-4005
giardina.paul@epa.gov
-------
Region 2 Requirement for Use of Clean Diesel technology at EPA-Directed Site Response Actions
in EJ Communities and Other Densely Populated Areas
The Superfund program frequently carries out response actions that involve the extensive use of diesel equipment.
Uncontrolled diesel engine emissions include substantial amounts of fine particulate matter, a dangerous air pollutant. EJ
communities and other densely populated areas are often exposed to unhealthy amounts of fine parti culate air pollution. When EPA
carries out cleanups in these areas (or requires responsible parties to carry out the cleanups), we may unintentionally exacerbate the
fine paniculate problem.
During FY-2009 Region 2 will begin to require the use of clean diesel technology wherever practicable at EPA-directed
cleanups (whether federally or privately funded), particularly near EJ communities and other densely populated areas. As a measure
of success we will track and report the number of response actions at which clean diesel technology is employed.
Activities/ Resources/
/Partners
Output
Short-term
(awareness)
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate
(behavior)
Point of Contact
Long-term
(condition)
Create a workgroup that will
recommend how to
incorporate clean diesel
(and other green
remediation techniques) into
Superfund site response
actions in EJ communities
and other densely populated
areas
Number of response
actions at which clean
diesel technology was
employed. (It is
possible we may also
be able to estimate the
emissions reductions at
each site.)
Implementation of
recommendations
Significant reduction of
diesel emissions from
site response actions
Amanda Gallagher
212-637-4302
gallagher.amanda@epa.g
ov
and/or
Nicoletta Diforte
212-637-3466
diforte.nicoletta@epa.gov
-------
Region 2 Indian Nation Leaders Meeting
Region 2's senior management team and the Leaders of 7 federally-recognized Indian Nations meet on an annual basis to
share, exchange and discuss environmental-related concerns affecting tribal regions/areas. A direct output from this multi-day event is
the generation of an "action items" database. Throughout the collaborative process, multi-faceted initiatives are formed that have
specific outputs and concrete, measurable environmental and human health improvements. Region 2 continues to build strong
partnerships with tribal governments as it seeks to protect human health and the environment in Indian Country. For FY09, the 13th
Annual Indian Nations Leaders meeting will take place in East Syracuse, NY from December 1-4, 2008.
NOTE: Activities can be found on next page.
-------
1. Coordinate to schedule an
Annual Indian Nations Leaders
Mtg
2. Coordinate with NYSDEC
and other Federal Agencies in
planning meeting and
presentations
3. Integrate EJ element into the
existing planning meeting/
agenda processes
4. Enhance EJ communications
with Indian Nations, State and
other Federal agencies
5. Identify EJ activities and
issues related to Indian Nations
6. Distribution of EJ program
information
7. Target discussions to Indian
Nation EJ issues a and
community partners
8. Building Partnerships:
EPA, Indian Nations, State,
other federal agencies
1. Annual Mtg held
with participation
from 7 federally
recognized Indian
Nations and EPA
management
2. Communications
with Indian Nation
communities with
potential EJ concerns
3. Schedule training:
provide EJ info
4. Update Action Item
list and database
5. Multi-faceted
initiatives, with EPA
Regional leads, that
have specific outputs
& concrete,
measurable
environmental and
human health
improvements; leads
to environmental and
public health results
9. Provide legal
support for the
Region's Indian
programs
1. Increase EJ
awareness by all
stakeholders
2. Partners/
stakeholders are
more aware of the
EJ challenges of
working with
disadvantaged and
underserved
communities
3. Partners/
stakeholders are
more aware of EJ
issues, as well as
of tool s& partners
to address
concerns.
4. Discuss and
provide status of
issue activities/
issues by sharing
database updates.
1. Initiation of
discussion of EJ
agenda topics
2. Increased
coordination to
consider partnering
with regard to EJ
issues and options
to address issues.
1. Annual Meeting
held; agenda reflects EJ
discussions, tools and
issues.
2. Partnerships
developed between
entities to discuss EJ
matters and options to
address concerns.
3. Up to date EJ
information/data-base
updates shared with
Indian Nations
(1-8)
Christine Yost,
DEPP
(212)637-3564
y ost. chri stine@epa. gov
Grant Jonathan
DEPP
(212)637-3843
jonathan.grant@epa.gov
Janice Whitney
DEPP
(212)637-3790
whitney.ianice@epa.gov
(9)
Nina Dale
ORC
(212)637-3231
Dale.Nina@epa.gov
Frances Zizila
ORC
(212)637-3135
Zizila.Frances@epa.gov
-------
St. Regis Mohawk Tribe 2006-2011 Performance Partnership Agreement
The multi-year Performance Partnership Agreement will serve as the primary environmental planning document for the
Tribe, and as a work plan for several of its programs. By investing in the use of this innovative management tool, Region 2 and SRMT
seek to work collectively in addressing long-term environmental planning via goal setting processes. This effort seeks to ensure the
highest degree of environmental quality for the SRMT community. Region 2 continues to build strong partnerships with tribal
governments to protect human health and the environment in Indian Country.
Activities/ Resources/
/Partners
Output
Short-term
(awareness)
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate
(behavior)
Point of Contact
Long-term
(condition)
Develop a multi-year
performance partnership
agreement (PPA) between
EPA Region 2 and the St.
Regis Mohawk Tribe
(SRMT)
The PPA will cover the
period 2006-2010. It
will serve as the
primary environmental
planning document for
the Tribe, and as a
work plan for several
of its programs
By investing in the
use of this
innovative
management tool,
Region 2 and SRMT
seek to work
collectively in
addressing long-
term environmental
planning via goal
setting processes
Achieve highest degree
of environmental
quality for the SRMT
community
Christine Yost
Regional Indian Program
Coordinator
212-637-3564
yost.christine@epa.gov
-------
Region 2 Support for Brownfields Job Training Program
The Brownfields Worker Training Program produces a workforce skilled in environmental remediation around Brownfields
impacted communities. It provides opportunities for unemployed residents with the skills needed to gain full-time employment in
environmental remediation, construction, and Brownfields redevelopment-related work through the awarding of Brownfields job
training cooperative agreements to differing communities throughout the United States.
Region 2 will provide assistance to Brownfields Job Training programs through staff involvement along with career
exposure workshops for trainees and capacity building/program development support workshops for project coordinators (grantees).
Regional support and involvement with the Job Training programs will enhance the programs to ensure success.
Activities/ Resources/
/Partners
Output
Short-term
(awareness)
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate
(behavior)
Point of Contact
Long-term
(condition)
Regional support for
Brownfields Job Training
(a) Provide regional
assistance to
Brownfields Job
Training programs
through staff
involvement along with
career exposure
workshops for trainees
and capacity
building/program
development support
workshops for project
coordinators (grantees)
Regional support and
involvement with the
Job Training programs
will enhance the
programs to ensure
success
(a)
Schenine Mitchell
Region 2 Brownfields Job
Training Coordinator
ERRD-PSB/BFS
(212) 637-3283
mitchell. schenine@epa. g
ov
-------
Activities/ Resources/
/Partners
Output
Short-term
(awareness)
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate
(behavior)
Point of Contact
Long-term
(condition)
Regional support for
Brownfields Job Training
(cont'd)
(b) Provide counseling
to ERRD in reviewing
application for
brownfields grants.
Including a host of
legal issues that can
arise in connection
with the review of
grant applications and
the awarding of the
grants, as well as legal
counseling on matters
concerning brownfields
grants that have
already been awarded
(b)
Michael Mintzer
ORC-NYCSB/NYST
(212)637-3168
mintzer.michael@epa.go
v
Deborah Schwenk
ORC-NJSB/NJST
(212)637-3149
schwenk. deborah@epa. g
ov
-------
Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Objective 2: Reduce exposure to air toxics (e.g., reduce releases of mercury)
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term Intermediate Long-term
(awareness) (behavior) (condition)
Point of Contact
Perform an air quality
assessment for the Jamestown
Coal Project near Buffalo, NY
(using Region 2's Policy and
GIS tool) and document the
results for public review in
Feb 2007 (nothing new on this
item)
In 2008 an EJ analysis was
performed on the air impacts
associated with a neighboring
community due to the
construction of a power plant
at Cornell University
Air quality assessment
will be incorporated
into the record for
public review in Feb.
2007
Comments will be
considered prior to
finalizing the permit
The EJ analysis
revealed a possible
community of concern
due to income levels
of students.
EJ analysis was
documented and made
available for public
comments.
No adverse or
disproportionate
impact was indentified
With each permit
action, the Region
learns how to
better address and
mitigate adverse
effects to nearby
communities
Cornell
supplemented
Region 2's GIS
tool and policy by
enhancing public
outreach on their
website.
Although not
required under
PSD, Region 2 is
using its discretion
to recommend that
sources with high
levels of PM2.5 to
assess compliance
with the health
based standard
The EJ analysis
was documented
and included in
the public record.
Public comments
were solicited
during the draft
permit stage
It is anticipated that
EPA will finalize the
PM2.5 Rule for PSD,
thereby requiring a
fine particulate
analysis to be
included in all permit
actions. Since the new
NAAQS is more
strict, many more
sources will need to
mitigate impacts to
communities
Permit conditions
ensuring compliance
are incorporated into
the final permit
Annamaria Coulter
Air Quality Modeler
DEPP-APB/Permitting
Section
212-637-4016
coulter.annamaria@epa.gov
-------
Air Quality will be
improved and adverse
respiratory health
impacts will be
reduced
(New regulatory
requirements):
The PM2.5 Implementation
Rule for New Source Review
and PSD was finalized in July
2008
PSD and
Nonattainment
Permits must now
assess impacts of fine
particulate matter,
PM2.5 and mitigate
any adverse impact
Although Region
2 has been
encouraging the
assessment of
PM2.5 to date, it is
now a
requirement.
New permit must
assess the effects
of PM2.5, and
ensure compliance
with the associated
health standards
Annamaria Coulter
Air Quality Modeler
DEPP-APB/Permitting
Section
212-637-4016
coulter.annamaria@epa.gov
An EJ assessment will be
performed for the Broadwater
LNG terminal in Long Islands
Sound and for a modification
at the HO YENS A Refinery in
St. Croix. (Nothing new on
Broadwater, HO YENS A was
finalized in 2007)
Although not currently
required under PSD, Region 2
will use its discretion to
recommend that sources with
high levels of PM2.5 to assess
compliance with health based
standards which effect asthma
Assess areas impacted
by the Broadwater and
HOVENSA facilities
in order to ensure that
there are no
disproportionate or
adverse air quality
impacts
Any additional permit
applications will need
to ensure compliance
with Region 2's EJ
Policy
With each permit
action, the Region
learns how to
better address and
mitigate adverse
effects to nearby
communities
Although not
required under
PSD Region 2 is
using its discretion
to recommend that
sources with high
levels of PM2.5 to
assess compliance
with the health
based standard
Following the
issuance of the final
rule in July 2008,
EPA will now require
a fine particulate
analysis to be
included in all permit
actions. Since the new
NAAQS is stricter,
many more sources
will need to mitigate
impacts to
communities
Annamaria Coulter
Air Quality Modeler
DEPP-APB/Permitting
Section
212-637-4016
coulter.annamaria@epa.gov
-------
It is anticipated that PM2.5
PSD Rule will be fully
implemented by the end of the
year, thus extending the
requirement to all sources.
By year's end, the Air
Programs Branch plans to see
at least 4 other EJ analyses in
PSD applications. (This final
rule became effective on July
2008. New sources will now
need to comply with these
stricter health standards
regarding fine particulate
matter. See discussion above
following Cornell Univerity.)
By the year end, the
Air Programs Branch
plans to see at least 4
other EJ analyses in
PSD applications
With each permit
action, the Region
learns how to
better address and
mitigate adverse
effects to nearby
communities
Although not
required under
PSD Region 2 is
using its discretion
to recommend that
sources with high
levels of PM2.5 to
assess compliance
with the health
based standard
Following the
issuance of the final
rule in July 2008,
EPA will now require
a fine particulate
analysis to be
included in all permit
actions. Since the new
NAAQS is stricter,,
many more sources
will need to mitigate
impacts to
communities
Annamaria Coulter
Air Quality Modeler
DEPP-APB/Permitting
Section
212-637-4016
coulter.annamaria@epa.gov
-------
Jamestown has held public
outreach sessions. If there is a
public request, Region 2 will
hold an additional public
hearing for Jamestown or any
additional PSD permits
Permitting section will hold a
public comment period and
perhaps a public hearing (at
the request of the public) for
the Broadwater and
HOVENSA permits
Enhance public outreach in all
PSD permit applications
In the case of
Jamestown, concerned
citizens were
identified and will be
notified of any permit
actions so that they
may participate in the
process
Enhance public
outreach by notifying
concerned citizens of
forthcoming permit
activities. Include
multi-lingual public
announcements when
applicable. Hold
informal public
availability sessions
prior o formal public
hearing. In addition,
encourage facilities to
reach out to their
communities
Efforts will be
made to document
the names and
addresses of
concerned citizens
so that they may
be notified of any
permit action
Pay attention to
the concerns so
that they may be
addressed early in
the process
Answer questions
from the beginning so
that the public
involvement process
is more efficient
Annamaria Coulter
Air Quality Modeler
DEPP-APB/Permitting
Section
212-637-4016
coulter.annamaria@epa.gov
-------
Goal 1: Clean Air and Global Climate Change
Objective 6: Enhance Science and Research
Activities
Output
The regional climate and
energy workgroup is pursuing
funds from ORD to host a
conference on climate change
impacts and research needs in
2009
Host a one day
conference and invite
the EJ community in
addition to state
environmental agency
staff and others
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term
(awareness)
Increased
awareness of
climate change
threats
Intermediate
(behavior)
EJ communities
work with local,
state and federal
agencies on
climate change
adaptation issues
Long-term
(condition)
Communities have
increased resilience to
climate change threats
Point of Contact
Irene Boland
OPM-PPEB
212-637-3586
boland.irene@epa.gov
-------
Goal 2: Clean and Safe Water
Objective 2: Clean and Safe drinking water
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
PRASA Watershed
Stewardship Program, Phase 2
(EPA, EQB, & DOH). Rio
Grande de Loiza and La Plata
Watersheds serve as a
significant source of drinking
water and receive significant
effluent from PRASA
wastewater and drinking water
plants
a)Phosphate Detergent
Ban on Household
Detergents. New
Regulation. Reduce
loading from
wastewater treatment
plants, septic tank
failures, sewage pump
stations and other
sewage collection
system by 50%.
b) Septic Tanks
Regulation: Revise
regulation on existent
septic tanks and
develop regulations
for a new septic tanks
design & construction
c) Septic Tanks
Overflow elimination:
Connection of Septic
Tanks Overflow to
PRASA's sewer line
in two low income
communities ( "
Vuelta del Dos" and
"Los Zayas")
a) Understanding
of the effects of
Phosphate in the
water supply by
the general public
b) Knowledge of
proper septic tanks
operation and
maintenance
c) Understanding
of the effects of
sewage overflows
to the environment
by the general
public
a) Reduction in
the use of
Phosphate
Detergents.
b) Communities
start to follow
septic tanks
regulations
c) Community
support in
connecting their
systems to
PRASA
a)Avoid lakes
euthrophi cation
b) Better raw water
quality for drinking
water purposes.
c) Better raw water
quality for drinking
water purposes
Evelyn Huertas /
CEPD-MPCB
787-977-5852
huertas. evelyn@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Continue to participate in the
Year of the Reef Workgroup
Through our
partnerships, provide
support to develop
informational tools
(e.g. at least 6 PSAs)
on protecting coral
reefs in EJ
communities in the
Carribean
Increased
awareness about
the threats to coral
reefs and the
individual actions
that one can take
to reduce those
threats
EJ communities
will incorporate
the suggestions
from the PSAs
into their everyday
choices
Coral reef degradation
is slowed or stopped
Heather Barnhart
OPM -PPEB
212-637-4971
barnhart.heather@epa.gov
Outreach to significant
noncompliant communities
with SDWA requirements
At least 5 community
meetings to discuss
environmental health
risks from non
compliance with
SDWA requirements
Understanding
health risk
associated with the
lack of proper
water treatment
Acceptance from
the Community to
be connected to
PRASA'snew
drinking water
plant
Avoid serious health
risk associated with
the lack of
disinfection
Cristina Maldonado
CEPD-MWPB
787-977-5835.
maldonado.cristina@epa.gov
-------
Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
Objective: Revitalization of Brownfields and contaminated sites
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term Intermediate Long-term
(awareness) (behavior) (condition)
Point of Contact
Re-establishing the
Brownfields Inter-Agency
Work Group to provide
assistance New York and New
Jersey communities
Commit to leverage
resources to support
environmental
restoration and
community
development in
Region 2
Collaborating with
other federal,
state, and local
agencies to
provide Region 2
communities with
appropriate
resources to assist
with local
environmental
restoration and
enhance economic
development
IAWG collaborative
support should
significantly enhance
the community's
revitalization efforts
Philip Clappin
Brownfields Project Manager
ERRD-PSB/BFS
(212)637-4431
Clappin.philip@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term Intermediate Long-term
(awareness) (behavior) (condition)
Point of Contact
Continue Brownfields Inter-
Agency Work Group
assistance to the 78
municipalities of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Commit to leverage
resources to support
environmental
restoration and
community
development in
communities of Puerto
Rico
Allow selected
communities to
present projects
from their region
demonstrating
resource needs.
IAWG is
comprised of
approximately 15-
20 Federal and
Commonwealth
agencies who
combine resources
to support
environmental
protection and
economic social
development
IAWG collaborative
support should
significantly enhance
the community's
revitalization efforts
Ramon Torres
Region 2 Brownfields
Coordinator
ERRD-PSB/BFS
(212) 637-4309
Torres.ramon@eap.gov
-------
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term Intermediate Long-term
(awareness) (behavior) (condition)
Point of Contact
(a)Targeted Brownfields
Assessment (TEA) support to
Region 2 projects
(b) Provide Technical
assistance includes activities
such as QAPP reviews, field
sampling, analytical support,
etc.
Provide funding
and/or technical
assistance for
environmental
assessments at
brownfields sites
throughout the region
(c) Provide counseling
to ERRD regarding
legal issues that arise
in the evaluation,
selection and
implementation of
removal actions and
remedial action that
will promote the land
revitalization goal
and/or clean up
contamination sites in
EJ communities
Work with distressed
communities that have
environmental justice
issues
(a)
Ramon Torres
Region 2 Brownfields
Coordinator
ERRD-PSB/BFS
(212)637-4309
Torres.ramon@epa.gov
(b)
Patricia Sheridan
DESA-HWSB
(732)321-6780
Sheridan.patricia@epa.gov
(c)
Paul Simon
ORC
(212)6373152
Smon.Paul@epa.gov
Continued support of the
Annual Brownfields
Community Outreach
Initiative for the U.S. Virgin
Islands
Conduct Economic
Development training
for stakeholders in the
Virgin Islands
Provide outreach
support to
communities in
the U.S. Virgin
Islands
To pass the Voluntary
Cleanup
Program/Brownfields
legislation in the U.S.
Virgin Islands
Ramon Torres
Region 2 Brownfields
Coordinator
ERRD-PSB/BFS
(212) 637-4309
Torres.ramon@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term Intermediate Long-term
(awareness) (behavior) (condition)
Point of Contact
Brownfields Assessment,
Cleanup and Revolving Loan
Grants: These grants will help
sustain, clean up, and restore
communities and the
ecological systems that
support them by providing
funds to assess and clean up
brownfields.
Expected outputs of
these grants will
include the number of
jobs leveraged and
other funding
leveraged through the
economic reuse of
properties along with
the acres of
greenspace created for
communities.
The region will
continue to support
current grant efforts
identified in
previously awarded
Brownfield grant
agreements
Region 2 has
received:
110 assessment
grants totaling
more than $22
million;
10 revolving loan
fund grants
totaling $8
million;
21 cleanup grants
totaling about $4.2
million.
The anticipated
outcomes of these
grants are assessments
and the cleanup of
Brownfield sites.
Local expected
outputs will be
included in each grant
agreement
Local expected
outcomes will be
included in each grant
agreement
Ramon Torres
Region 2 Brownfields
Coordinator
ERRD-PSB/BFS
(212) 637-4309
Torres.ramon@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Output
Short-term
(awareness)
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate Long-term
(behavior) (condition)
Point of Contact
Accomplishments:
More than 534
properties have been
assessed; 3 properties
have been cleaned up;
more than 3725 jobs
have been leveraged;
more than $574
million in cleanup and
redevelopment
funding has been
leveraged; PR has
received since the
2001 five grants
totaling $1 million.
This year Puerto Rico
obtained 10. new
assessments grants
totaling $2 million.
Continue to provide oversight
and perform split sampling at
the Ringwood Mines Site
which is located in a low
income area where many
residents are said to belong to
the Ramapo Mountain Tribe of
Native Americans.
This assistance will
ensure that the
contaminated area's
soil sediment and
waters are being
sampled and analyzed
correctly.
Knowledge of
what pollutants are
present on the site
and where they are
located.
Proper cleanup and
removal of
pollutants from the
site will occur.
Community will have
a significantly
reduced exposure to
pollutants dumped on
the site.
Diane Salkie
DESA-HWSB
732-321-4423
Salkie.diane@epa.gov
-------
Goal 3: Land Preservation and Restoration
Objective 1: Preserve Land
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Continue to support integrated
solid waste management plan
(ISWMP) development and
ensure adherence to minimum
federal requirements for
municipal solid waste landfill
(MSWLF) program
implementation in Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico:
-issue comments to
PR SWMA on draft
ISWMP, called the
Dynamic Itinerary for
Infrastructure Projects
-meet with PR EQB
re. identified MSWLF
program regulatory
deficiencies
Virgin Islands:
-issue comments to VI
WMA on draft
ISWMP
-issue comments to VI
DPNR on MSWLF
program authorization
application
PR and VI waste
management
agencies are made
aware of EPA
recommendations
and requirements
for ISWMP and
MSWLF program
implementation,
respectively
PR and VI agencies
establish plans as
public policy, and
adopt EP A-
approved
regulatory changes,
which will also
include
opportunities for
public comment
PR and VI agencies
implement safe,
effective waste
management
activities that assure
protection of public
health
Dale Carpenter
DEPP-RPB
(212)637-4110
carpenter.dale@epa.gov
-------
Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Objective 1: Reduction in elevated blood lead levels
Activities Output
Short-term
(awareness)
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate Long-term
(behavior)
(condition)
Point of Contact
1. Protect Children's Health,
including reducing elevated
blood lead levels in Oneida
County, NY through:
a. education/outreach efforts
b. sampling and analyzing for
lead in school drinking water
c. enforcement and compliance
assistance
(a) Distribute
guidance on lead in
drinking water and on
integrated pest
management to school
districts serving
18,900 children
(b) Sample and
analyze drinking
water outlets for a
maximum of 400
samples or 10
elementary schools in
Oneida County school
districts
(c) Conduct RCRA
site visits of three
Oneida County
schools; conduct 25
lead-based paint
disclosure inspections
of residential housing;
conduct 10
inspections to curb
Increased
knowledge of
methods to reduce
or eliminate
exposure
pathways.
Decrease in
concentration of
lead in elementary
school drinking
water fountains.
Improve Oneida
County school
districts' capacity
to develop testing
and corrective
action programs for
lead in drinking
water.
Increase "lead safe", and
"lead free" housing.
Reduce lead poisoning
in Oneida County which
has a high rate of
elevated blood lead
levels.
Reduce children's
exposures to lead,
illegal pesticides,
asbestos, and other
hazardous materials and
chemicals in schools
and communities.
(a) & (c):
Laura Livingston,
DECA-PTSB
732-906-6998
E-mail:
Livingston.Laura@epa.go
v
(b) John Kushwara,
DESA-MAB
732-321-6686
E-mail:
Kushwara.John@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Point of Contact
access to illegal
pesticides by children
and 5 school visits to
promote integrated
pest management
practices;
(d) Provide legal
support to on
enforcement action
under REC A or
TSCA, as needed
(d) Paul Simon
ORC
(212)6373152
Simon.Paul@epa.gov
-------
Goal 4: Healthy Communities and Ecosystems
Objective 2: Collaborative problem-solving to address environmental justice issues
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Meet monthly with the North
River Community
Environmental Review Board
(NRCERB) to address any EJ
issues on a timely basis.
Ensure that conditions
are such that EJ issues
are addressed in such
a way that NRCERB
would not need to
elevate issues to The
Regional
Administrator level
NRCERB feels
empowered to
achieve it's
mission to realize
the EJ mandates
for The North
River WWTP and
Riverside Park
Continued growth
in the use of
Riverside Park.
(10,000 people per
day in summer
2008)
Reach a level of
satisfaction with the
NRCERB such that an
EPA liaison will no
longer be necessary.
Walter Andrews
Chief, DWMIB.
212-637-3880
andrews.walter@epa.gov
State and Local Government
Environmental Justice
Programs
Provide continued
assistance to the EJ
Coordinators and
other EJ "Point of
Contacts" at
state/local
environmental
regulatory agencies,
including New York
State Department of
Environmental
Conservation and
New Jersey
Department of
Environmental
Protection.
Information sharing
and collaboration
among federal,
state, local
government
agencies with EJ
programs will
enhance and
produce more
effective strategies
in addressing local
community
concerns.
Terry Wesley
Environmental Justice
Coordinator
212-637-5027
Weslev.terry@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Develop a multi-year
partnership between EPA
Region 2 and high schools in
the Edison, NJ area to create a
program which:
1. increases awareness of
environmental issues in
disadvantaged areas;
2.provides an overview of
opportunities within the
sciences to make a positive
impact on the local community
1 .Educate students on
the negative impacts
of various
environmental
contaminants
2(a). Allow high
school seniors to
shadow R2
Laboratory staff;
2(b). Conduct mock
interviews for students
in preparation for
workforce
Greater
understanding of
the laboratory
analyses which
support on-going
monitoring efforts
in the local
community
Increase students'
interest in the
environmental
sciences who might
otherwise not be
interested in the
sciences
Track number of
students who
successfully complete
program
John Bourbon,
DESA-LB
732-321-4469
E-mail:
Bourbon.iohn@epa.gov
-------
Goal 5: Compliance and Environmental Stewardship
Objective 1: Ensure Compliance
Activities Output
Short-term
(awareness)
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate Long-term
Point of Contact
(behavior)
(condition)
Development and approval of
Sludge Treatment System
(STS) Consent Decree. This
decree will include 130 water
treatment plants.
130 water treatment
plants will have
functional STS system
that should result in
improved compliance
with their NPDES
permit.
Increase
understanding of
STS discharges
and impacts
through the Island.
Compliance with
CWA Regulations
and Capacity
Evaluations for the
major water
treatment plants in
PR.
Reduced settleable
solids impact on the
waterbodies of Puerto
Rico and its uses
(fishing, swimming and
recreational activities).
Jorge Martinez
CEPD-MWPB
(787)977-5827
martinez.iorge@epa.gov
Perform compliance assistance
activities to improve the
quality of data using the TRI-
ME Web Tools in Puerto Rico.
25% of the reporting
facilities will be using
the TRI-ME Web
Tool to comply with
regulations.
Increase the
understanding of
the TRI-ME Web
Tools to improve
the quality of the
data.
The amount of
people and facility
using the TRI-ME
Web tool will
improve the data
collection.
Quality of data will
increase and review by
EPA will be expedited
providing the
information earlier to
the communities.
Lizette Lugo
CEPD-MPCB
(787)977-5833
lugo.lizette@epa.gov
Perform 10 compliance
assistance site visits to MS4
Municipalities in Puerto Rico.
Municipalities comply
with regulations.
Municipalities
become aware of
new regulations.
Improved
Stormwater
Management Plans
and Regulations
within the
Municipalities.
Reduced pollutants
impacts through
Stormwater runoffs to
the community
waterbodies.
Sergio Bosques / CEPD-
MPCB. 787-977-5838
bosques.sergio@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Conduct environmental impact
analyses for "major" EPA
actions that must comply with
the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) (e.g.
special appropriation act
project (SAAP) grants and
NPDES "new source"
permits).
Under the Clean Air Act
Section 309 Program, review
other federal agency's projects
in their NEPA compliance
process.
Output
90 percent of EP A' s
"major" actions
complying with
NEPA undergo an EJ
analysis.
Review all
environmental impact
statements (EIS) for
inclusion of EJ
analysis.
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term
(awareness)
Ensure that public
is informed about
the proposed
project and allow
them the
opportunity to
provide input.
Enter in public
record if EJ
analysis is lacking
for a "major"
federal action.
Intermediate
(behavior)
Respond to public
concerns on
proposed projects
and research ways
to minimize
adverse impacts.
Long-term
(condition)
Ensure that "major"
actions complying with
NEPA do not
significantly add
environmental burden to
those community(s)
already
disproportionately
burdened.
Point of Contact
Nikolaus Wirth
DEPP-SPMMPB
212-637-3902
wirth.nikolausfoiepa.sov
Nikolaus Wirth
DEPP-SPMMPB
212-637-3902
wirth.nikolausfoiepa.sov
-------
Cross Cutting Strategies:
Objective: Internal Capacity Building (e.g., internal program management)
Activities
Output
Short-term
(awareness)
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate Long-term
(behavior)
(condition)
Point of Contact
Meet with Region 2's EJ
coordinator to evaluate
progress and see if adjustments
need to be made to conform to
evolving national/regional EJ
goals.
Participate in the development
of national EJ training
materials and guidance.
Participate in regional
conference calls, and
Divisional Meetings to foster
communication and ensure
optimum evaluations of EJ
assessments in the PSD
program
See if regional policy
needs to be revisited
for
updates/improvements
. Make changes if
necessary.
Develop national EJ
training materials and
guidance. Increased
assurance of high
caliber EJ assessments
in the PSD program.
See if regional
policy needs to be
revisited for
updates or
improvements
This will assure
that Region2 is on
right track. Make
changes if
necessary.
Increased capacity
building for
implementing a national
goal of environmental
justice
Annamaria Coulter
Air Quality Modeler,
Permitting Section,
212-637-4016
coulter. annamaria@epa. g
ov
-------
Enhance R2's existing EJ
application by incorporating
the EJ Strategic Enforcement
Assessment Tool (EJSEAT)
indicators and 18 datasets.
The web-based tool
will be accessible to
all Region 2 and
national EPA staff via
the EPA intranet to
conduct EJ analysis
and EJ national
program reviews.
The web based EJ
application will
allow staff with
little knowledge of
GIS to perform EJ
analyses and
conduct EJ
reviews of their
programs.
An increase in staff
EJ awareness and
informed EJ
program reviews
will lead to
improved program
development. The
enhanced tool will
help EPA staff to
better target, assess,
and make decisions
in response to EJ
issues.
The implementation of
EPA programs will
include empirical as
well as community-
based managed data
resulting in better
decision-making
processes that take into
account on-the-ground
environmental and
health impacts and
considerations.
Suk-Yee-D Tang
212-637-3592
tang.suk-yee-d@epa.gov
-------
Assess type of environmental
justice training that is needed in
Region (basic or program
specific training). Enlist
support of program office staff
for development and delivery
of training.
1. Identify staff who
did not take Region
2's basic
environmental justice
training course.
2. Refer staff to
National Enforcement
Training Institute's
(NETI) on-line
training course titled,
"Introduction to
Environmental
Justice." This course
can also serve as a
refresher for those
who have taken EJ
training in the past.
3. Deliver tailored
environmental justice
courses to support
Divisional requests, as
needed.
Increased
awareness by EPA
Region 2
employees of the
policies and
procedures used to
address
environmental
justice as
measured by pre
and post course
questionnaire.
Use of
environmental
justice principles in
work conducted by
program offices.
Improved programs will
continue to meet the
needs of EJ
communities and
respond to emerging EJ
issues.
Terry Wesley
Environmental Justice
Coordinator
212-637-5027
Wesley.terry@epa.gov
-------
EJ Grant Activities
Provide financial assistance to
eligible affected local
community-based
organizations working on or
planning to work on projects to
address local environmental
and/or public health concerns.
The EJCPS Cooperative
Agreements Program further
requires that the recipients use
EPA's Collaborative Problem
Solving model to advance their
projects.
Programs:
- EJ Small Grants (EJSG)
- EJ Collaborative Problem-
Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative
Agreements
Award, at a minimum,
one (1) EJSG in
Region 2
Assist HQ-Office of
Environmental Justice
(OEJ) in the awarding
of at least one (1) EJ
CPS cooperative
agreement identified
in Region 2. [Note:
Regional technical
assistance to be
provided during post
award activities.]
Recipients achieve
environmental and/or
human health objectives
identified in their
respective grant
proposals and approved
project workplans.
Terry Wesley
Environmental Justice
Coordinator
212-637-5027
Wesley.terry@epa.gov
Tasha Frazier
Environmental Justice
Assistant
212-637-3861
Frazier.tasha@epa.gov
-------
Cross Cutting Strategies:
Objective: Collaborative problem-solving to address environmental justice issues
Activities
Community involvement
outreach to the Ramapo Indian
nation impacted by the
Ringwood Mines superfund site
Community involvement
outreach to residents of DePew,
NY impacted by contamination
from NL Industries.
Output
Community
involvement
activities including:
public information
sessions;
disseminating fact
sheets; formation of
a community
advisory groups;
one-on-one listening
sessions
Community
involvement
activities during the
removal action
including: public
press events; fact
sheets; door to door
outreach
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term
(awareness)
Greater
understanding of
the impact of site
related
contamination on
the community.
Greater
understanding of
the impact of site
related
contamination on
the community.
Intermediate
(behavior)
Minimize
community's
exposure to site
related
contamination.
Minimize
community's
exposure to site
related
contamination.
Long-term
(condition)
Point of Contact
Pat Seppi
Community Involvement
f~\ if .
Coordinator
Tel: 212-637-3679
seppi.patricia@epa.gov
Mike Basile
Community Involvement
f~\ if .
Coordinator
Tel: 716-551-4410
basile.michael(3)epa.sov
-------
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Point of Contact
Solicit input from and involve
communities in the
assessment/ identification of
future uses of the Passaic
River, its shorelines and
adjoining neighborhoods.
Solicit input on and involve
communities in the
contaminated sediment
removal project, the
development of early action
alternatives for cleanup of
sediment contamination in the
lower eight miles of the
Passaic River and in the
comprehensive study of the
entire lower Passaic and
Newark Bay. Solicit input on,
as applicable, location of
sediment processing/ transfer
facilities and confined disposal
facility. Provide community
with bi- or multilingual
information on fish
consumption and health issues
associated with sediment
contamination of the lower
Passaic River and Newark
Bay.
Commit to
leverage resources
to support
environmental
restoration and
community
development in
Newark, Clifton,
Paterson, Passaic,
Elizabeth and
other
municipalities in
NJ affected by the
lower Passaic
River Restoration
Project.
Anticipated
leveraged
resources include
EPA, New Jersey
DEP, New Jersey
DOT, New Jersey
DOHandU.S.
Army Corps of
Engineers
Increased awareness of
risks associated with
contamination and the
process/timeline for
potential remedy
selection.
Input on potential
cleanup alternatives,
transportation issues,
re-use and future-use
decisions.
Reduction or
elimination of
consumption offish
and shellfish from
the lower Passaic
River and Newark
Bay complex.
Collaborative
support for
remedy
selection
should
significantly
enhance the
community's
revitalization
efforts.
Increased
awareness of
risks to human
health from
contaminated
fish and
shellfish should
significantly
reduce
exposures,
especially
among
sensitive
populations.
Dave Kluesner
Community Involvement
Coordinator,
Lower Passaic River
Restoration Project and
Newark Bay Study
212-637-3653
kluesner.dave@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Community involvement
outreach to residents of
Garfield, NJ. EPA is conducting
a removal assessment in
Garfield, Bergen County, New
Jersey because ground water
samples indicate chromium
contamination.
(Garfield has one of the lowest
per capita income levels in
Bergen
county )www.epa.gov/region02/s
uperfund/npl/garfi el d/
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Community
involvement
activities
including: public
information
sessions;
disseminating fact
sheets; door to
door outreach to
potentially
impacted
residents; public
notices
Short-term
(awareness)
Greater understanding
of the impact of site
related contamination
on the community.
Intermediate
(behavior)
Minimize
community's
exposure to site
related
contamination.
Long-term
(condition)
Melissa Dimas
Community Involvement
Coordinator
Tel: 212-637-3679
dimas.melissa@epa.gov
-------
Cross Cutting Strategies:
Objective: External Capacity Building
Activities Output
Continue outreach to EJ
communities on issues
relating to sustainability.
Develop at least one
new partnership that
addresses EJ
communities and their
needs. Include
information on website
that is useful to EJ
communities. Present
to at least one
educational and/or EJ
community
organization.
Short-term
Applicable Outcome Measure
Intermediate Long-term
Point of Contact
(awareness)
Increased
understanding by EJ
communities of
sustainability tools
and resources
available to them.
(behavior)
An increase in the
understanding of
sustainability will
enable EJ communities
to begin to improve the
health and reduce the
environmental impacts
of their communities
and buildings.
(condition)
EJ communities
will continue to
improve the health
and reduce the
environmental
impacts of their
communities and
buildings.
Rabi Kieber
212-637-4448
Kieber.Rabi@epa.gov
Expand green building
outreach to EJ
communities through
partnerships such as the
New York City Green
Building Competition.
Provide information
about the successes of
green buildings and
sustainable design in
EJ communities.
Increased
understanding by EJ
communities of green
building principles,
tools, and resources.
Additionally, an
increased
understanding of
why buildings should
be constructed and
maintained in a
environmentally
sound way.
An increased demand
for green building
products.
EJ communities
will have more
sustainable
buildings to live,
work, and play in.
Rabi Kieber
212-637-4448
Kieber.Rabi@epa.gov
-------
Activities
Output
Applicable Outcome Measure
Point of Contact
Short-term
(awareness)
Intermediate
(behavior)
Long-term
(condition)
Develop tools that can be
used by EJ communities to
make more sustainable
decisions about the built
environment.
Produce a
Sustainability
Handbook for
Communities
Increased
understanding of how
to make EJ
communities more
sustainable.
EJ communities use the
tools and information
in the handbook to
assess their
Sustainability, and
develop plans to
improve.
EJ communities
become more
sustainable, which
enhances health
and environmental
quality.
Irene Boland
212-637-3586
Boland.irene@epa.gov
-------
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