Federal Interagency
Working Group on
Environmental Justice
Fiscal Year 2016 Progress Report
Working together
towards collaborative
& innovative solutions.
US DA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary 1
Creating Change Through Collaboration 2
EJ IWG Framework for Collaboration 3
Goal 1: Enhance Communication and Coordination 3
Goal 2: Enhance Multi-Agency Support 5
Goal 3: Advance Interagency Strategies 6
Goal 4: Develop Partnerships with Academic Institutions 8
Federal Achievements in Advancing Environmental Justice 9
Looking Forward: FY 2017 Priorities 10
Stay Connected 11
~ IWG Annual Progress Report
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Executive Summary
The Federal interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJIWG), through the collaboration of 17 federal agen-
cies and White House offices, imbues the federal government with the principals of environ-
mental justice and assists overburdened and under-resourced communities implement com-
prehensive solutions to the environmental and human health challenges that impact them.
The EJ IWG strives to ensure the federal government is:
accessible to communities and other stakeholders working to address environmental
justice concerns,
aware of the environmental justice issues confronting communities in order to facilitate
coordinated and collaborative federal assistance, and
accountable - able to explain federal efforts to achieve environmental justice.
To further enhance its collaborative efforts, the EJ IWG developed a Framework for Col-
laboration (Framework) outlining the goals of the working group for fiscal years (FY) 2016
through 2018. Consistent with its desire to be accountable and transparent to environmental
justice stakeholders, the EJ IWG will provide annual Framework implementation progress
reports. This, the EJ IWG's first report, summarizes its numerous accomplishments during
FY 2016, a few of which are highlighted here:
Chanya Liv, Public Health Program Specialist at HHS
capturing next steps and follow up items for the EJ IWG,
The EJ IWG successfully launched its Access and Awareness webinar series, bringing to-
gether over 700 people with various federal agencies and other subject matter experts to
discuss resources and innovative ways to further environmental justice.
The EJ IWG's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Committee issued the Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in
NEPA Reviews report, which will help federal agencies advance strategies to efficiently identify and address environmental
justice concerns. The report is a compilation of practices on how to effectively integrate environmental justice considerations
into NEPA processes. The committee collaborated with a team of NEPA experts from ten departments, three agencies, and
one White House office to develop this resource. The Committee also released a video featuring three agencies discussing the
importance of NEPA and the value of the Promising Practices report in advancing environmental justice.
The EJ IWG connected communities to resources to enhance multi-agency support of community-based solutions to environ-
mental justice concerns. For example, the EJ IWG's Regional Interagency Workgroups (RIWG) brought together federal agen-
cies and other local stakeholders to provide targeted and coordinated technical assistance to communities in the northeast
(region 2) and southeast (region 4) regions.
0 The Region 2 RIWG is working with six communities to create partnerships for building a foundation to respond to
local environmental justice issues.
0 The Region 4 RIWG is moving forward with the North Birmingham Environmental Collaboration Project, a coordinat-
ed approach to evaluate the environmental conditions and potential impacts in certain areas in and around Birming-
ham, Jefferson County, Alabama.
The EJ IWG is using the Brownfields to Healthfields approach to focus on rural communities by fostering collaborations at the
federal, state, and local levels that connect communities to resources that improve access to items such as food, housing and
healthcare.
The EJ IWG continued to support the College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP) by expanding federal
agency participation and technical assistance to communities. The CUPP approach works to catalyze partnerships between
local government and academic institutions to work with local communities to identify needs and develop projects to address
those needs while federal agency partners provide technical assistance at no cost. The program also facilitates public-private
partnerships through engagement with the private sector and nonprofit organizations when appropriate. 1The CUPP is cur-
rently working with 61 academic institutions in 21 US states, including a new partnership with Oxford University in London,
England. These partnerships are currently working with approximately 46 communities/cities with 89 ongoing or completed
projects. Assistance from academic institutions involved with this program has been valued at almost $3,000,000 to date; the
direct impact of the projects on the communities is believed to be far greater. In total, CUPP projects have benefited commu-
nities and cities with a total population of over 700,000 people. For more information on the College/Underserved Community
Partnership Program go to: https://www.epa.gov/communitvhealth/collegeunderserved-communitv-partnership-program-
cupp
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EJ IWG Annual Progress Report
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During FY 2017, the EJIWG will build upon its work to facilitate federal agency collaborations that assist overburdened
and under-resourced communities. The EJ IWG's priorities include efforts to:
Continue and expand communication and outreach to communities by hosting the Access and Awareness Webinar Series; by
providing informational documents such as lessons learned, fact sheets, and resource information; by increasing the EJ IWG's
online presence; and by evaluating additional communication tools.
Implement additional strategies to eliminate barriers that arise from lack of access to digital communication by prioritizing in-
person outreach efforts through community visits and public dialogue with the EJ IWG.
Convene cross-agency meetings and work sessions at multiple levels of government to foster communication and collabora-
tion on environmental justice program and activity implementation.
Foster cross-agency coordination and communication regarding outreach, trainings and workshops, projects, technical assis-
tance, and coordinated resources for communities and on a regional scale.
Support agencies in the development of environmental justice policies, programs, or activities by providing technical support,
tools, and information.
Create additional partnerships with federal agencies and academic institutions, including expanding the College/Underserved
Community Partnership Program (CUPP) to include additional colleges and universities and federal agencies.
Support the Educate, Motivate, Innovate (EMI) Initiative to expand collaborations with minority-serving institutions, including
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic serving institutions, and Asian
American,Native American, and Pacific Islander serving institutions.
Creating Change Through Collaboration
The Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ IWG) comprises 17 federal agencies and White House offices
working together to - advance environmental justice principles across the federal government, engage and support local commu-
nities in addressing environmental and human health impacts, and promote and implement comprehensive solutions to address
environmental justice. The EJ IWG provides leadership, guidance, and
support to federal agencies by:
Coordinating a focused and collaborative effort across the federal
government to address the environmental, social, economic, and
public health burdens in minority, low-income, indigenous and tribal
communities;
Identifying and supporting policies that have measurable impacts on
environmental justice;
Focusing federal agency resources and technical assistance to ad-
dress the challenges facing overburdened communities namely, dis-
proportionately high and adverse health or environmental effects;
and
Developing partnerships with colleges, universities, and other organ-
izations outside of the federal government to facilitate support for,
and improvement in, overburdened communities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) defines
Environmental Justice as:
The fair treatment and meaningful
Involvement of all people regardless of
race, color, national origin, or income
with respect to the development,
implementation, and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, and
policies.
The EJ IWG Framework for Collaboration ("Framework") outlines the goals of the working group for FY 2016 through
2018, which will advance greater federal agency collaboration to meet the objectives outlined above. The Framework also in-
cludes information on the formation and governance structure of the EJ IWG.
FY 2016 was the first implementation year of the Framework for Collaboration. In addition to highlighting some out-
standing environmental justice work being delivered through interagency collaboration, this report also features some of the in-
credible work of the individual partner agencies of the EJ IWG.
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~ IWG Annual Progress Report
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EJIWG Framework for Collaboration
The EJ IWG developed and published the Framework in 2016 (https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-04/
documents/ei iwg framework for collaboration fv2016-2018 O.pdf). The strategy builds upon decades of environmental jus-
tice work and community engagement to enhance the collective efforts of federal agencies. In addition to cross-agency strategies
to better support environmental justice, the Framework articulates priorities that work to increase opportunities for public input
and engagement with the EJ IWG. Successful community engagement meets communities "where they are" by employing ap-
proaches that provide cross-agency tools and resources, which enable the public to address environmental injustice in their local
communities. The following is a snapshot of accomplishments achieved under the Framework's four key goals. This report also
features some of the incredible work of the individual partner agencies of the EJ IWG.
Goal 1: Enhance Communication and Coordination
Enhance communication and coordination to improve health, quality-of-life, and economic
opportuni ties in o verb urd ened com muni ties.
In FY 2016, through web-based and in-person communication, the EJ IWG in-
creased access and awareness about critical environmental justice activities that inform
and provide stakeholders with resources and an opportunity to engage directly with the
federal agencies that make up the working group. Highlights include:
Access and Awareness Webinar Series
In August of 2016, the EJ IWG launched the Access and Awareness Webinar Series.
Over 700 individuals registered for webinars that were produced in August and Sep-
tember. These webinars focused on highlighting federal programs that provide tar-
geted resources to communities that are impacted by environmental injustice. The
webinar series has provided an opportunity for various agencies and subject matter
experts to discuss approaches, provide resources, share guidance, and highlight pro-
grams that help address environmental injustice across the county. Webinars includ-
ed participants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Depart-
ment of Labor (DOL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. De-
partment of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI).
Below is a description of the initial webinars in the series and a link to access webinar
recordings:
Federal Agencies Convening for Environmental Justice: Connecting
Communities to Green Space, Healthcare and Jobs
Introduction to the EJ IWG by highlighting three innovative federal pro
jects from HHS, DOL, and DOI National Parks Service
Increasing Awareness of Federal Grants and Resource Opportunities
Overview of how to use Grants.gov to apply for federal funding, along
with grant opportunities available for communities from EPA and USDA
The Access and Awareness Webinar Series continued into FY 2017 and additional webinar
recordings will be posted here https://www.epa.gov/en v i ron m e nta I i u sti ce/f ed e ra I -
interagencv-working-group-environmental-iustice-ei-iwg as they become available.
The EJ IWG helps
ensure the federal
government is:
Accessible
Easily reached by communities,
advocates, and other
stakeholders regarding
environmental justice
concerns
Knowledgeable of the
environmental justice concerns
and issues facing communities
in
order to facilitate collaboration
and coordination
Accountable
Capable of explaining the
actions and decisions related
to the implementation of
Executive Order 12898
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~ IWG Annual Progress Report
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Ei IWG Fact Sheet Updated
The EJ IWG updated its fact sheet in FY 2016 to better illustrate its work and the resources
available to help overburdened communities improve their environment, health, quality-of-
life, and economic opportunities. Community spotlights were incorporated to provide con-
crete examples of EJ IWG efforts and programs. The revised fact sheet is now available on
the EJ IWG's webpage (https://www.epa.gov/environmentaliustice/federal-interagencv-
working-group-environmentaI-iustice-ei-iwg) in English and Spanish. The fact sheet will also
be distributed at events attended or hosted by the EJ IWG for stakeholders interested in the
working group.
Goods Movement Federal Resources Compendium
Emissions from ports disproportionately impact millions of people in nearby communities
that are often comprised of low income and minority populations. EPA is working with com-
munity groups, non-profits, and ports to facilitate effective communication and engagement with the local port communities
in decision-making processes that impact their lives. In conjunction with this activity, the EJ iWG Goods Movement Com-
mittee developed the Goods Movement Federal Resources Compendium\, which is intended to provide community stakehold-
ers with a single document brings together all the publicly available resources from across the federal government (e.g.,
agency strategies, guidance documents, reports, funding mechanisms, data and assessment tools) for communities that are
impacted by the goods movement industry and port activities. The Compendium has been reviewed and approved by EJ IWG
agencies and will be published on the EJ IWG webpage in FY 2017.
Spanish Translation of Citizens Guide to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The EJ IWG NEPA Committee members from the Departments of Energy and Justice and the EPA worked together with the
White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to translate CEQ's existing Citizens Guide to the National Environmental
Policy Act into Spanish for those with limited English proficiency so
that they may better understand the NEPA process. The Spanish
translation has been posted to CEQ's website (https://ceq.doe.gov/
get-involved/citizens guide to nepa.html ).
Advancing Environmental Justice through NEPA Video
The NEPA Committee members developed a video to highlight the
importance of NEPA as a tool to help advance environmental jus-
tice. The video showcases three agency representatives: Suzi Ruhl
(EPA), Kedric Payne (DOE), and Chris French (USDA-Forest Service).
Each speaker provides a personal perspective on environmental
justice and why it is an essential focus area for federal agencies and communities. EPA's Office of Environmental Justice
helped produce the video, which was accompanied by an EJ in Action blog (https://blog.epa.gov/blog/2016/ll/ei-nepa-
promising-practices/). The video and blog allow the EJ IWG to educate the public on the many methods the working group is
using to integrate environmental justice into agency practices that impact overburdened communities (see Goal 3, Environ-
mental Justice Tools for the National Environmental Policy Act, below for more examples of working to enhance the NEPA
process).
Community Spotlights
Since September of 2014, the EJ IWG has provided opportunities for stakeholders to attend its monthly meeting and make
presentations on an environmental justice issue or program, in FY 2016, the EJ IWG welcomed Robert Garcia of the City Pro-
ject to discuss Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and urban green space equity in Los Angeles, California (see
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-08/documents/the city project iwg.pdf). in addition, numerous Title VI
and EJ advocates participated in an EJ IWG monthly meeting led by the EJ IWG Title VI Committee to discuss strengthening
enforcement across the federal government.
Federal Interagency Working
Group on Environmental justice
ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL USTICE
THROUGH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POL CY AC"
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EJ IWG Annual Progress Report
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Participating in the Central Appalachia
Regional Brownfielcls Conference was a
great experience for Tennessee grass-
roots organizations. The conference pro
vided important networking opportuni-
ties that led to connecting with the EPA
Brownfielcls Assessment Grant process in
Campbell County, TN.
After the Conference our organization
continued to coordinate and attend the
Campbell County Community Develop
ment meeting where we were able to
add two coal strip mine sites on the
Woodland Community Land Trust to the
assessment grant. One of these sites is
an Abandoned Mine Lands and the other
is a coal legacy site. The assessment pro
cess, which included a series of
meetings to educate additional groups
and community leaders, included a grant
writing session focused on EPA Brown
field Clean Up Grants.
Community Leaders also met with the
Tennessee Department of Environmental
Conservation to discuss potential oppor
tunities for the state Abandoned Mine
Lands program and discussed further
collaboration with the EPA Brownfields
Program in Nashville and Knoxville
Bonnie Swinton
Sierra Club, Tennessee
Goal 2: Enhance Multi-Agency Support
Enhance multi-agency support of holistic community-based solutions to provide
assistance as needed to address environmental justice issues.
In FY 2016, the EJIWG promoted awareness and increased collaboration to
leverage resources for capacity building, economic investments in minority,
low-income, indigenous and tribal communities. Highlights include:
Building Capacity in Rural Communities
At the Central Appalachia Regional Brownfields Conference, the Rural Com-
mittee of the EJ IWG is using the Brownfields to Healthfields (B2H) approach
to foster collaborations that help local organizations access state and federal
resources to transform brownfields into end uses that improve access to
healthcare, food security, recreation, and renewables, especially in overbur-
dened and underserved communities. The EJ IWG convened a community
engagement forum and B2H session with breakout working groups at the Cen-
tral Appalachia Regional Brownfields Conference in September 2016. In the
text box to the right, please find a testimonial from Bonnie Swinton of Sierra
Club, Tennessee on the value the community engagement forum brought to
her organization.
Fostering Collaboration to Advance the B2H Model by Aligning Healthy Food
with Affordable Housing
The EJ IWG worked to increase access to healthy food for the low income,
minority population in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Relevant USDAand other
federal departments coordinated on how to best ensure community access to
food and housing.
Fostering Collaboration to Improve Drinking Water Quality in Rural America
The EJ IWG explored ways to help rural communities address adverse environ-
mental and public health impacts by reducing exposures in ground water and
drinking water from failing and/or non-existing wastewater infrastructure.
Discussions brought together experts from across the federal family in the technical, financial, health, and management as-
pects of water infrastructure.
Building Capacity Regarding Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
The EJ IWG hosted a workshop at National Environmental Justice Conference which discussed the intersection of Title VI of
the Civil Rights Act and Environmental Justice. More than 50 people from community organizations and federal agencies
attended a training workshop held by the EJ IWG's Title VI Committee on March 11, 2016. The training focused on building
capacity with respect to three topics: Title VI 101, Title VI and Environmental Justice and How to File a Complaint with Federal
Civil Rights Agencies. Presenters included federal civil rights staff from the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and
Transportation, as well as the EPA and the General Services Administration.
Building Capacity by Strengthening Regional Interagency Community Collaboration
Successful community engagement meets communities "where they are" by employing valuable outreach and communica-
tion strategies that are effective in addressing local needs. The EJ IWG is providing targeted and coordinated technical assis-
tance to communities in EPA Region 2 (NY, NJ, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands and eight Tribal Nations) and Region 4
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and six Tribal Nations) through
Regional Interagency Workgroups (RIWG).
5 I Page
~ IWG Annual Progress Report
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The RIWG, co-chaired by EPA and HHS, in EPA Region 2 is working with the following six communities to create part-
nerships and build a foundation to respond to local environmental justice issues: Camden, New Jersey; Newburgh,
New York; Cano Martin Pena, Puerto Rico; St. Croix (Hovensa site), US Virgin Islands; St. Regis Mohawk, New York; and
Ramapo Nation, New Jersey. The RIWG chaired by EPA in EPA Region 4 is moving forward with a coordinated ap-
proach to evaluate the environmental conditions and potential environmental impacts, in North Birmingham, Fair-
mont, Collegeviiie, and Harriman Park neighborhoods, as well as portions of Five-Mile Creek and Harriman Park ditch,
located in and around Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. This effort, working to address air, water and waste
issues, is known as the North Birmingham Environmental Collaboration Project. You can find more information here:
https://www.epa.gov/north-birmingham-proiect.
Goal 3: Advance Interagency Strategies
Advance interagency strategies to identify and address environmental
justice concerns in agency programs, policies and activities.
In FY 2016, the EJIWG fostered federal interagency coordination
and increased accountability at regional, state, tribal and local levels, it
also identified opportunities to highlight interagency community solu-
tions that would advance the implementation of federal environmental
justice policies and guidance. Highlights include:
Strategy and Policy Integration
Fostering Collaboration Through Interagency Leadership Meetings
Gathering Stakeholder Feedback at the National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee (NEJAC) Meeting
A panel of EJ IWG representatives presented at the March 2016 National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee
(NEJAC) meeting in Gulfport, Mississippi. The panel highlighted the accomplishments and potential activities of the EJ
IWG Committees. NEJAC members were able to ask questions and provide direction and feedback. For example,
NEJAC members suggested that the EJ IWG should be involved in the revitalization the 100 overburdened communi-
ties discussed in EPA's EJ 2020 Action Agenda - The U.S. EPA's Environmental Justice Strategic Plan for 2016-2020
(referred to as "EJ2020") (available at: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaliustice/environmental-iustice-2020-
action-agenda).
In EJ 2020, EPA notes that it "will work with the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ
IWG) and other partnerships, as well as through direct relationships with other federal agencies to develop and imple-
ment an interagency strategy for promoting the revitalization of overburdened communities. This strategy will focus
on connecting EPA's community-based work, when and where possible, to other agencies' statutorily-based program-
matic resources and functions, and will be guided by achieving outcomes that answer community needs." (EJ 2020 pg.
35).
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EJ IWG Annual Progress Report
V.Ann Heard (left) Deputy Regional Administrator for Region
4 of EPA; and Vernice Miller Travis, (right) Vice Chair,
Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustain
able Communities discuss the importance of Regional Inter-
agency Collaboration .
The EJ IWG coordinated two senior leadership meetings in
February and August of FY 2016. The theme of the Febru- 1
ary meeting was "A Collaborative Conversation on Environmental Justice." Topics included a discussion on "EJ IWG
Advancing Collaboration in Communities," a "Federal Family Community Collaboration Spotlight" from the West At-
lanta Watershed Alliance, and a roundtable discussion on "Strengthening Integration of Environmental Justice infra-
structure in Agencies and Departments."
Several EJ advocates attended the August senior leadership meeting which focused on "Passing the Leadership Ba-
ton." Topics included a "Community Voice: Stakeholders Perspectives on the EJ IWG" discussion and a roundtable on
"Lessons Learned Through EJ Strategy Implementation and Collaboration." The EJ IWG has been implementing the
next steps suggested during these leadership meetings, such as the expansion of the College Underserved Partnership
Program as discussed under Goal 4 below.
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DHS: Teresa Pohlman (left) Director, Sustainability
and Environmental Programs, DHS and Lisa Quiveors
(right) Sustainability and Environmental Programs,
DHS.
The first ever Hazel M. Johnson Federal Agency
Achievement Award was presented to the Department of Health and Hu-
man Services for Outstanding Agency Achievement in Advancing EJ. In
addition, a EJ Champion Award was presented to Arthur Blazer, Former
Deputy Under Secretary at United States Department of Agriculture for
his outstanding leadership in environmental justice at USDA and with the
EJ IWG.
Facilitating Collaboration to Address Concerns of Native American/Indigenous
Peoples
The EJ IWG Native American/Indigenous Peoples Committee convened a
subgroup to discuss potential opportunities for federal agency coordina-
tion and collaboration regarding support for the United Nations Declara-
tion on the Rights of indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In FY 2016 the UNDRIP
subgroup developed a draft set of UNDRIP training materials and scheduled its first interagency training which took place
in the first quarter of FY 2017. Thirty-seven federal employees, from ten federal agencies, attended the training which
was designed to enhance awareness of the UNDRIP, identify ways it is being applied by federal agencies, and enhance
interagency coordination and collaboration in supporting the UNDRIP.
Environmental Justice Tools for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Published Promising Practices Report
The NEPA Committee published the Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews (referred to as "Promising
Practices Report') in March 2016. The report represents the professional experience, knowledge, and expertise of indi-
viduals from ten departments, three agencies, and one White House office. These individuals spent almost 48 months
researching, analyzing and discussing the interaction of environmental justice and NEPA.
The Promising Practices Report is a compilation of practices on how to effectively integrate environmental justice consid-
erations into NEPA processes. The report disseminates promising environmental justice practices across the federal gov-
ernment so that we can learn from one another about effective ways to build robust methods for considering environ-
mental justice into our NEPA practice. This document draws from existing environmental justice and NEPA Guidance de-
veloped by White House Council on Environmental Quality and federal agencies, but is not and should not be considered
formal guidance.
The Promising Practices Report is available at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/fiIes/2016-08/documents/
nepa promising practices document 2016.pdf.
Developed NEPA Lexicon
The NEPA Committee developed a Lexicon of terms from the Promising Practices Report to succinctly explain technical
terms in a manner that is useable for all stakeholders. It includes preexisting agency definitions and a contextual basis for
application. Agencies and communities may then use the Lexicon to more appropriately evaluate environmental justice
issues. The final draft of the Lexicon was completed in September 2016 and is undergoing review.
Building Federal Capacity Through Training and Tools
Across the federal government, departments and agencies are acting to advance EJ through NEPA and other environmen-
tal assessments, including the implementation of the Promising Practices Report. Departmental actions include training
opportunities, guidance documents, and working groups to advance the methodologies outlined in the Promising Practic-
es Report.
The EJ IWG's NEPA Committee has developed standardized training materials which can be used to create training mod-
ules as well as shorter, targeted presentations to enable the committee to expand the use of the Promising Practices Re-
port. To help promote the use of methods outlined the Promising Practices Report, members of the NEPA Committee
have also conducted briefings and trainings at various federal agencies. These agencies include: Department of Transpor-
tation (DOT) (Title VI, Office of Civil Rights & Environmental Law Practice Group; Federal Transit Agency); Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA); Department of the Interior (DOI); Department of Agriculture (USDA); and Department of Energy
(DOE).
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EJ IWG Annual Progress Report
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IPtI
The NEPA Committee also
created a guide that aggre-
gates tools and resources that
NEPA reviewers from across
the federal government utilize
to address and evaluate envi-
ronmental justice concerns.
These tools were compiled
from a variety of federal
agencies including the Depart-
ment of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD), Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC), EPA, DOT, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), USDA,
and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
I * r' ^4
' ml* Ki,#
III
Marsha Minter, (center) Asso
ciate Director of the Office of
Environmental Justice and EJ
IWG Program Manager, EPA;
Joanna Stancil (second from
left), Senior Advisor for State
and Private Forestry, US Forest
Service and Joey Baietti
(second row center), Program
Analyst, HUD; pose with EMI
students following successful
conference presentations.
Goal 4: Develop Partnerships with Academic Institutions
Develop partnerships with academic institutions to assist in providing long-term technical assistance to overburdened
communities
In FY 2016, the EJ IWG expanded technical assistance opportunities for overburdened communities by developing partnerships
with academic institutions. Highlights include:
Launched Educate, Motivate, and Innovate (EMI)
In 2015, the White House launched the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice's Educate,
Motivate and Innovate Climate Justice Initiative. This initiative focuses on the next generation of climate-justice
leaders and expands collaborations with Minority-Serving Institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Uni-
versities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Asian American and Native American
Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. The initiative is guided by the following principles:
0 Educate: Provide a two-way learning experience, access to information, platform to expand and share
knowledge and ideas, and bridge the communication and capacity building gap.
0 Motivate: ignite interest, nurture growth and commitment to addressing the complex issues around cli-
mate change and environmental justice in vulnerable communities.
0 Innovate: Embrace the opportunity for creative thought and action.
In FY 2016, the EMI Initiative put out a call for student climate justice abstracts which led to a successful workshop
at the 2016 National Environmental Justice Conference, posted a blogon the EJ IWG website to provide background
on the initiative and its mission, and developed an EMI video https://www.epa.gov/environmentaliustice/federal-
interagencv-working-group-environmental-iustice-ei-iwg or https://www.voutube.com/watch7vHiHpESIFOqE.
Expanded the College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP)
In an effort to expand agency technical support to the CUPP, USDA and the EPA signed a Memorandum of Under-
standing (MOU) on August 22, 2016. The CUPP MOU established a cooperative relationship with universities to
develop research and projects that address environmental justice, environmental quality and improve economic
opportunities and public health in local underserved communities through the CUPP model. CUPP is based on de-
veloping partnerships between small, underserved communities and geographically close colleges/universities to
provide a variety of technical support at no cost to those communities. The program will facilitate public-private
partnerships among schools, communities, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations. Some examples of past
CUPP projects involving students that worked with local communities to provide solutions to their concerns can be
found here: https://www.epa.gov/communityhealth/collegeunderserved-communitv-partnership-program-
cupp#getinvoIved. The EJ IWG is continuing to support the expansion of the CUPP program with the support of
federal partners such as the Departments of the Interior, Energy and Health and Human Services.
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EJ IWG Annual Progress Report
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Federal Achievements in Advancing Environmental Justice
One of the core functions of the EJIWG is to support the integration of environmental justice throughout federal government
policies and programs. The principles of environmental justice help improve the effectiveness of our programs and ensure that the
most vulnerable communities in America are taken into consideration when policies are implemented. This section highlights a
few examples of how agencies are advancing environmental justice throughout the federal government.
In 2016 the following agencies published updated environmental justice strategies:
General Services Administration
(https://www.gsa. gov/portal/getlVlediaData?mediald=129654)
US Department of Agriculture
(https://www.dm.usda.gov/emd/responserestoration/docs/8162572 USDA%20 EJ %20Str a tegy%20 F i na I. p d f)
US Environmental Protection Agency
(https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-05/documents/Q52216 ei 2020 strategic plan final O.pdf)
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
(htt ps ://w w w. h u d e xc ha n ge. i n fo/re so u rce s/d oc u m e nts/H U D- E n vi ro n m e n ta I -J usti ce -Stra te gy. p d f)
US Department of the Interior
(https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/doi ei strategic plan final nov2016.pdf)
US Department of Transportation
(htt ps ://w w w. transportation, gov/p ol icv/tr a n s po r ta ti on -p o I icv/e n vi r o n m e n ta I - i u stice -str a te gy)
U.S. Department of Agriculture Achievements in Advancing EJ
The Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP), sponsored by the USDA National Institute for
Food and Agriculture, reached over half a million families and youth from low-income communi-
ties in 2016 to help improve access to healthy food. The USDA enhances diets and nutrition prac-
tices, stretches food dollars farther, improves food safety, and increase physical activity levels
because of the EFNEP program.
For our nation's children, USDA expanded the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program so
more children from low-income households can eat regularly and well. Established in Section 104
(a) of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, the CEP program is a streamlined approach to
school meal service that allows schools in high-poverty communities to provide meals to all stu-
dents, free of charge, for up to four consecutive school years. For FY 2016-17, USDA seeks to fo-
cus its expansion effort on those schools that are most in need and where CEP can have the
greatest impact.
U.S. Department of Justice Achievements in Advancing EJ
In August 2016, the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services,
Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation issued joint agency technical assistance,
Guidance to State and Local Governments and Other Federally Assisted Recipients Engaged in
Emergency Preparedness, Response, Mitigation, and Recovery Activities on Compliance with Title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/885401/download) to recipi-
ents of federal financial assistance.
Two additional resources to assist recipients of federal financial assistance also accompany the
guidance: the Department of Justice's Tips and Tools for Reaching Limited English Proficient Com-
munities in Emergency Preparedness. Response and Recovery (https://www.iustice.gov/crt/
file/885391/download) and the Department of Health and Human Services' Checklist for Recipi-
ents of Federal Financial Assistance (https://www.iustice.gov/crt/file/885396/download), which
facilitates the integration of the whole community into emergency-related activities.
USDA
Euviiouiiiiriital Justiiv StratrgH- Plan:
2016-2020
wUh.gf.ni, nr.
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
iplcmcntntion Progress Report
Environmental Justice
Page
~ IWG Annual Progress Report
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Looking Forward: FY 2017 Priorities
A: Communication and Coordination (Accessible and Aware)
Goal: Enhance communication and coordination to improve health, quality-of-life, and economic opportunities in overburdened
Communities
Priorities:
Continue the Access and Awareness Webinar Series and, as appropriate, provide re-
sources documents for the webinar topics.
Share lessons learned from regional interagency collaboration.
Prioritize in-person outreach efforts through community visits and public dialogue with
the EJ IWG. Implement additional strategies to help bridge the "digital divide".
Enhance the EJ IWG's online presence and identify, or develop where necessary, addi-
tional communication tools.
Provide information that helps identify which government entities rural and urban
communities can engage with concerning potential goods movement concerns.
Hold a panel discussion on environmental justice, the federal government, and Indige-
nous Communities.
Support efforts to finalize and distribute a Community Guide to the Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews
report.
B: Support Community-based Solutions (Accessible and Accountable)
Goal: Enhance multi-agency support of holistic community-based solutions to provide assistance as needed to address
environmental justice issues
Priorities:
Convene cross-agency meetings at various levels within federal agencies to foster communication and collaboration on imple-
mentation of environmental justice efforts.
Conduct workshop and training activities on interagency activities such as NEPA Promising Practices, Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act and EJ IWG's work with Native American and Tribal Communities. Continue outreach to various stakeholder communities
and beneficiaries of federal assistance.
Look for opportunities to support regional interagency collaborations to help communities address EJ concerns and work to
expand EPA Region 4's EJ Academy.
Seek to leverage federal resources for communities participating in EPA's Near-Port Community Capacity Building efforts
Conduct outreach on climate justice and public health efforts.
Foster cross-agency coordination and communication that assists rural communities, such as collaborations to improve health
and wellness through the Brownfields to Healthfields approach, community-focused environmental justice workshops, and
facilitated dialogs between communities and other stakeholders focused on addressing place-based needs.
C: Interagency Strategies (Accountable)
Goal: Advance interagency strategies to identify and address environmental justice concerns in agency programs, policies and
activities.
Priorities:
Support federal agencies in the development of environmental justice policies, programs, or activities by providing technical
support, tools, and information.
Coordinate with the federal agencies to gather and share public feedback with the EJ IWG. Determine the EJ IWG's focus areas
based on public comment and other recommendations.
Continue engagement and training on implementation of the Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews report
to foster cross agency learning of effective practices.
Provide training for federal agencies on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and identify any
potential opportunities for coordination and collaboration.
Outstanding Achievement Awards
Presented during the Principles Meeting.
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~ IWG Annual Progress Report
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D: Partnerships with Academic Institutions (Accessible and Aware)
Goal: Develop partnerships with academic institutions to assist in providing long-term technical assistance to overburdened
Communities
Priorities
Look for ways to expand the College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP).
Collaborate with academic institutions to promote the health, economic and environmental vitality of rural populations and
to advance the understanding and application of the Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews report.
Continue supporting the Educate, Motivate, Innovate (EMI) initiative to expand collaborations with minority-serving institu-
tions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority-serving institutions.
Stay Connected
Find more resources and information on the EJ IWG Website:
https://portaI.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program offices/economic resilience/Environmental Justice Strategy
Sign up for EPA's EJ ListServe: https://lists.epa.gov/read/all forums/subscribe?name=epa-ei
11 I Page
~ IWG Annual Progress Report
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» EPA
EPA-300B16002
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