ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
EJ in New England
EJ SMALL GRANTS
Environmental Justice
Small Grants Program
U.S. EPA | ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AT EPA NEW ENGLAND
EPA NEW ENGLAND'S ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE PROGRAM works to protect all people, regardless
of race, color, national origin or income, from environmental harms and
risks, and to involve all citizens in making decisions that affect their
environment. The program is designed to achieve environmental and public
health improvements for communities disproportionately burdened by the
impacts of pollution.
INTRO:
The EJ Small Grants Program has supported a diverse group of community-based groups working to create healthy,
sustainable communities through dozens of local projects. Generally, projects that are considered for funding must
include a plan with strategies for addressing local environmental issues, educating and empowering the community
about the issues, building consensus, and setting community priorities. In addition, the proposed plans must show
how the applicant will work with other stakeholders including: community-based organizations, environmental groups,
businesses, industry, federal, tribal, state and local governments and schools.
BACKGROUND:
To be eligible for the Environmental Justice Small Grants
Program, an applicant must be a legally incorporated
non-profit organization. Applicants must be able to show
they have worked with the "affected" community, which
means a community that is disproportionately impacted
by environmental harms and risks, and has a local or public
health issue that is identified in the
proposal. Grant applicants must
also outline how their projects will
address the core mission of the
Environmental Justice Program,
including: addressing fair treat-
ment of all people regardless of
race, color, nation of origin or
income; and ensuring the meaning-
ful involvement of residents in deci-
sions about activities that will affect
their environment or health.
more than 200 years in some cases. Lead paint must be
removed and residents must be educated about the risks
associated with lead paint exposure. New England has
a complex network of rivers, streams, watersheds and
tributaries. During the early part of this nation's history,
industry harnessed the power of our waterways. Indus-
try also has left our region facing
the cleanup of soil contamination
in many communities. As a result,
many New England communities
have been plagued with environ-
mental degradation. The EJ Small
Grants Program has been a useful
way for communities to address
these unique environmental issues.
Groundwork Springfield accepting
EJ Small Grant check.
NEW ENGLAND:
The EJ Small Grants Program is
being used by communities throughout the New England
region to address its unique environmental concerns. The
program has awarded grants to fund a wide variety of
projects throughout the six-state region. Our commu-
nities are faced with an old housing stock dating back
Past projects have addressed a vari-
ety of issues, including: education
about recycling in Hartford, Conn.;
performing basic home energy
evaluations and home weatheriza-
tion tasks in Providence, Rl; conducting a 20-week, door-
to-door energy efficiency campaign in Somerville, Mass.;
and helping resettled immigrant families understand their
rights to quality housing that is free of lead, pests, mold,
and harmful pesticides in Lewiston, Maine.
KEY CONTACTS:
HEATHER ROSS
EPA New England
EJ Specialist, Office of
Civil Rights & Urban Affairs
(617) 918-1073
ross.heather@epa.gov
AMY BRAZ
EPA New England
EJ Coordinator, Office of
Civil Rights & Urban Affairs
(617) 918-1346
braz.amy@epa.gov
GENERAL INFO:
EPA NEW ENGLAND
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912
(617) 918-1111
www.epa.gov/region1/
TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE
1-888-EPA 7341
LEARN MORE AT:
www.epa.gov/ne/ej/
grants.html
L United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
© printed on 100% recycled paper, with a minimum of 50% post-consumer waste, using vegetable-based inks
EPA-901-F-11-004
April 2011
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