NEJAC Brownfields
Recommendations
In 1995, the EPA and NEJAC co-sponsored a
series of dialogues across the country that
provided an opportunity for environmental
justice advocates and residents of
impacted communities to provide input
on revitalization of abandoned properties
called "Brownfields."
The NEJAC formulated an extensive set of
advice and recommendations for EPA to
consider. A consistent theme throughout
the recommendations was the importance
of seeking and including communities
in decisions and planning. Taking these
recommendations into consideration, EPA
took a number of actions to improve its
Brownfields initiative.
For example, EPA agreed to create a
Brownfields Job Training Grants Program
targeted toward residents living in close
proximity to Brownfield sites. EPA initiated
Brownfields pilots with the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services to focus on
an assessment of health risks associated
with revitalizing Brownfields sites. The
NEJAC recommendations also led to the
creation of the EPA National Brownfields
Conference and the Brownfields Showcase
Communities.
About the National Environmental Justice
Advisory Council
In 1993, EPA established the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC)
in order to obtain independent, consensus advice and recommendations from a broad
spectrum of stakeholders involved in environmental justice. As a federal advisory
committee, the NEJAC was chartered to provide the Administrator with advice and
recommendations on integrating environmental justice considerations into the
agency's programs, policies, and day-to-day activities.
The NEJAC consists of representatives of community-based groups, business and
industry, academic and educational institutions, state and local governments, tribal
governments and indigenous organizations, and non-governmental and environmental
groups. The council meets publicly approximately two times a year and provides a
forum for discussions about integrating environmental justice into EPA priorities and
initiatives.
The issues around environmental justice are often complex and involve strongly
divergent viewpoints. The NEJAC provides an environment for all parties to express
their viewpoints and to formulate independent, clear and timely consensus advice and
recommendations to EPA about major public policy issues.
Incorporating the Voice of
Stakeholders in Agency Decisions
EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson made expanding the conversation on
environmentalism and working for environmental justice one of EPA's top priorities.
The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) supports the agency's environmental justice
strategy, Plan EJ 2014, through organizing and coordinating the work of the NEJAC.
By meeting with the public and consolidating advice from members who represent
a broad range of viewpoints, the NEJAC provides recommendations to EPA that
incorporate communities' voices and help the government to better integrate
environmental justice into its programs, policies, and activities.
L//a 7QU. September 30th, 2013 will mark the 20th
/CffOu' ' anniversary of the establishment of the Natii
Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Environmental Justice
Continued on back
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working foe
environmental
justice
NEJAC Recommendations
The NEJAC has developed advice and provided recommendations to the agency for creative
and collaborative strategies to better address the human health and environmental
protection needs of disadvantaged and underserved communities. Below are descriptions
of a few major recommendations that have been proposed:
^ Permitting: At the July 2010 NEJAC meeting, the EPA requested that the council
provide advice on how to enhance environmental justice throughout its permitting
programs. Following up on its initial recommendations in 2000 about incorporating
environmental justice concerns into the permitting process, the council advised EPA on
the types of permits the agency should work on. It also identified the types of permits
issued pursuant to federal environmental laws that are best suited for addressing the
issue of cumulative impacts.
School Air Toxics Monitoring: In 2009, the EPA launched
an initiative to investigate air pollutant levels and
remediate any potentially high exposure risks posed to
schools. To ensure that EPA's communication materials
about the effort are accessible to environmental
justice communities, the NEJAC advised the agency on
how it could most effectively promote strategies that
would improve EPA's long-term school and community
outreach approaches for school monitoring and future
initiatives.
Goods Movement and Air Quality: In 2009, EPA asked the NEJAC to identify the
most significant community environmental and/or public health concerns related to
air pollution from goods movement activities. The NEJAC report addressed how the
Agency could most effectively promote strategies to identify, mitigate, and prevent the
disproportionate burden of air pollution impacts on communities from the movement of
goods through ports and along highways. The recommendations informed EPA's planning
process and influenced EPA's 2010-12 Ports Air Quality Plan.
Consultation with Tribal Governments and
Indigenous Communities: In a 2000 report,
the NEJAC raised concerns about the lack of
effective consultation and collaboration between
Federal agencies and the Native American tribal
governments and outlined methods of effective
consultation. In 2004, NEJAC issued an additional
report to guide EPA on working with federally-
recognized tribes to incorporate meaningful
involvement and fair treatment into their federally-
authorized tribal environmental regulatory programs.
Meeting in 201±
the National Tribal
Operations Council
Visit epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/recommendations.html to view the full list of
recommendations, and epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/current-charges.html to view
the NEJAC's current activities.
NEJAC
FACTS
How to Participate
The NEJAC is required to hold open
meetings at which members of the public
can submit comments, questions, and
suggestions for the council to consider as
it develops advice for EPA. Each meeting
includes a minimum of two hours where
the public can make comments.
Public comments may also be provided
during public teleconference call
meetings. All comments are recorded and
maintained as part of the public record
of each meeting. To find future meeting
dates or obtain meeting minutes, visit
epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/
meetings.html
How to Become a
Member
The NEJAC is made up of approximately
26 members. The membership rotates to
provide the widest participation possible
by the greatest number of stakeholders.
Organizations or members of the public
may nominate qualified persons to be
considered for appointment to serve
on the NEJAC or one of its subgroups.
Individuals may also self-nominate.
Nomination packages must include:
Ji Contact information
j- Statement of interest
^Brief bio
,/'Current resume
j- Letter[s] of Recommendation
A list of current members and their
biographies, as well as a sample
nomination form are available at
epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac
fi-EPA
EPA300F12003
July 2012
For More Information
To find out more about the NEJAC, call 202-564-2515,
or http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/nejac/index.html
Connect with EPA
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