r/EFA
United States Office of Enforcement and November 2009
Environmental Protection Agency Compliance Assurance
Office of Environmental Justice (2201 A)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-showcase.html
Environmental Justice
Showcase Communities
FACT SHEET
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is
announcing a national initiative to address
environmental justice challenges in ten
communities. The selected Environmental Justice
Showcase Communities will use collaborative,
community-based approaches to improve public
health and the environment. The EPA has
committed $1,000,000 to this effort over the next
two years.
EPA will provide $100,000 per project to help
address concerns in communities
disproportionately exposed to environmental risks.
These demonstration projects will test and share
information on different approaches to increase
EPA's ability to achieve environmental results in
communities.
Each Region throughout the country has
communities with Environmental Justice concerns
including: (a) multiple, disproportionate
environmental health burdens; (b) population
vulnerability; (c) limits to effective participation in
decisions with environmental and health
consequences and/or (d) opportunities for multiple
federal, state and local agency collaboration, with a
focus on green development. Therefore, EPA will
to work to improve collaboration in the delivery of
services to support to communities with
environmental justice issues.
By working to resolve complex issues and leverage
resources in communities disproportionately
burdened by environmental and human health
concerns through improving meaningful
participation by community members and groups,
academicians, and local, state, and federal agencies
the quality of life can be improved in a community.
Environmental Justice
Showcase Communities
The following locations will serve as
Environmental Justice Showcase Communities:
> Bridgeport, Connecticut
> Staten Island, New York
> Washington, District of Columbia
> Jacksonville, Florida
> Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> Port Arthur, Texas
> Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City,
Kansas
> Salt Lake City, Utah
> Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long
Beach, California
> Yakima, Washington
EPA's Commitment to Environmental Justice
" We must take special pains to connect with those who
have been historically underrepresented in EPA decision-
making, including the disenfranchised in our cities and
rural areas, communities of color, native Americans,
people disproportionately impacted by pollution, and small
businesses, cities, and towns working to meet their
environmental responsibilities. Like all Americans, they
deserve an EPA with an open mind, a big heart and a
willingness to listen...As we meet these challenges, we must
be sensitive to the burdens pollution has placed on
vulnerable subpopulations, including children, the elderly,
the poor and all others who are at particular risk to threats
to health and the environment. We must seek their full
partnership in the greater aim of identifying and
eliminating the sources of pollution in their neighborhoods,
schools and homes."
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
For More Information
If you would like more information, please visit:
http://www.epa.gOv/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/e
i-showcase.html
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