NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
ADVISORY COUNCIL
PUBLIC TELECONFERENCE MEETING
WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
AUGUST 14, 2019
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PREFACE
The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) is a federal advisory committee that
was established by charter on September 30,1993, to provide independent advice, consultation,
and recommendations to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on
matters related to environmental justice.
As a federal advisory committee, NEJAC is governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA).
Enacted on October 6,1972, FACA provisions include the following requirements:
• Members must be selected and appointed by EPA.
• Members must attend and participate fully in meetings.
• Meetings must be open to the public, except as specified by the EPA Administrator.
• All meetings must be announced in the Federal Register.
• Public participation must be allowed at all public meetings.
• The public must be provided access to materials distributed during the meeting.
• Meeting minutes must be kept and made available to the public.
• A designated federal official (DFO) must be present at all meetings.
• The advisory committee must provide independent judgment that is not influenced by
special interest groups.
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) maintains summary reports of all NEJAC meetings,
which are available on the NEJAC web site at https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/national-
environmental-justice-advisory-council-meetings. Copies of materials distributed during NEJAC
meetings are also available to the public upon request. Comments or questions can be directed via
e-mail to NETAC@epa.gov.
NEJAC Executive Council - Members in Attendance
Richard Moore, NEJAC Chair, Los Jardines Institute
Sylvia Orduno, Vice-Chair, Michigan Welfare Rights Coalition
April Baptiste, Colgate University
Charles Chase, University of Colorado-Denver
Ellen Drew, Rural Communities Assistance Corporation
Jan Marie Fritz, University of Cincinnati, University of Johannesburg, University of South Florida
Rita Harris, Sierra Club
Melissa McGee-Collier, Mississippi Department of Environmental Equality
Jeremy Orr, Natural Resources Defense Council
Na'Taki Osborne Jelks, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance and Proctor Creek Stewardship Council
Millicent Piazza, Washington State Department of Ecology
Dennis Randolph, City of Grandview, Missouri
Cynthia Kim Len Rezentes, Mohala I Ka Wai
Jerome Shabazz, JASTECH Development Services and Overbrook Environmental Education Center
Karen Sprayberry, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Hermila "Mily" Trevino-Sauceda, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas
Sandra Whitehead, National Environmental Health Association
Sacoby Wilson, Maryland Institute of Applied Environmental Health
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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Public Teleconference
August 14, 2019
MEETING SUMMARY
The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) convened by teleconference on
Wednesday, August 14, 2019. This synopsis covers NEJAC members' deliberations during the
teleconference meeting and the issues raised during the public comment period.
1.0 Welcome and Opening Remarks
Matthew Tejada, the NEJAC Designated Federal Officer, welcomed attendees and took a roll
call to establish a quorum. He noted that 182 members of the public had joined the call and
reminded everyone of the mechanics of the teleconference. He then asked Sylvia Orduno to
make some opening remarks as Richard Moore, the NEJAC Chair, had not yet joined the
teleconference.
Sylvia Orduno, the NEJAC Vice-Chair, welcomed everyone and thanked the Office of
Environmental Justice staff for hosting the call.
Mr. Tejada introduced Brittany Bolen and thanked her for joining the teleconference from
her off-site location where she was engaging with other stakeholders.
1.1 Remarks from the EPA's Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy
Brittany Bolen, the Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy, thanked NEJAC members
for their service and the external parties for joining the call and expressing interest in
environmental justice. She expressed Administrator Wheeler's regrets that he was unable to
join the teleconference and stated that he is committed to participating in the face-to-face
NEJAC meeting that will be scheduled for early 2020. Ms. Bolen expressed interest in the
public comments section and stressed the importance of the NEJAC's advice and
recommendations for the Agency. She reaffirmed EPA senior leadership's commitment to
environmental justice, highlighting the release of the EPA's environmental justice progress
report for FY18. Ms. Bolen then fielded questions from NEJAC members about the
Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization Council and the recent executive order
requiring federal agencies to review their advisory committees.
Na'Taki Osborne Jelks asked Ms. Bolen about the Environmental Justice and Community
Revitalization Council and its effect on the regions. Ms. Bolen stated that all 10 regions are
represented on the EJCRC and that they serve on both a community-driven solutions
workgroup and a state-focused workgroup.
Richard Moore, the NEJAC Chair, asked Ms. Bolen if there had been discussion about the
ongoing relationship between the EPA and the NEJAC, in light of the recent executive order
from the President requiring federal agencies to review their advisory committees. Ms. Bolen
expressed that the EPA is going through an internal process to review its committees but
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could not share further details. However, she reiterated the importance of the NEJAC to the
EPA.
Sacoby Wilson asked Ms. Bolen about the administrator's focus on risk assessment Ms.
Bolen restated that her remarks were referring to the way risk is communicated to the public
and deferred to the Office of Research and Development (ORD) to discuss risk assessment
2.0 Presentation from the EPA's Office of Research and Development on the STAR
Grants Program and EnviroAtlas
Dr. Bruce Rodan, the Associate Director for Science in ORD, gave introductory remarks on
behalf of ORD. He stated ORD's commitment to identifying and mitigating environmental
stressors with solutions-based research, with a specific focus on aspects of those stressors
experienced by disadvantaged communities. Dr. Rodan also discussed the concept of
translational research, working with communities to identify and characterize their struggles
and do the research to move toward solutions. ORD would ask the NEJAC to provide advice on
how to systematize environmental justice and outreach in ORD's work, and how to
disseminate results to other communities. Dr. Rodan then turned the floor to Kacee Deener.
Kacee Deener, Director of ORD's Office of Science Policy, addressed the NEJAC with a
presentation that addressed questions that were raised at the previous NEJAC meeting and
provided some updates on topics that had been mentioned.
First, she gave updates on the Environmental Health Disparities Research Centers, a
partnership with the National Institutes of Health to award grants in 2015 to five
universities—The University of New Mexico, the University of Arizona, the University of
Southern California, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University—for the purpose of
creating centers that are conducting multidisciplinary research and partnering with local
communities to address the environmentally-driven health disparities that those
communities face. Ms. Deener provided several examples of how the research centers
approach community engagement.
Ms. Deener presented general information about the STAR grant program, including the
three-year competition process to select grant recipients and the methods ORD uses to
educate potential applicants and encourage minority-serving institutions to apply.
Next, Ms. Deener presented updates about EnviroAtlas, sharing that ORD is developing data
layers for Alaska and Hawaii and will be developing data layers for the U. S. Virgin Islands and
Puerto Rico in 2020. She also shared that a new widget allowing EnviroAtlas users to better
refine data will be available in late 2019 or early 2020.
Finally, Ms. Deener shared ORD's commitment to engaging with the Office of Environmental
Justice, regional and state offices, tribes, and partner organizations such as public health
organizations in order to get ORD's research to the communities it could benefit Ms. Deener
ended her presentation encouraging NEJAC members to join the STAR grants process as peer
reviewers and to share any ideas they have about how to get word out more broadly about
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funding opportunities and other tools and resources to overburdened communities.
Sacoby Wilson recommended that ORD refer to the EJ Academy in Region 4 as a model to
create a community advisory group. He also suggested partnering with the Center for Disease
Control on their community engagement work for guidance on best practice, looking at it
through the lens of an inter-agency working group. Finally, he recommended that for grants
that have a community engagement component and an EJ component, ORD should place an
emphasis on peer reviewers who are community practitioners to add equity to the review
process.
Richard Moore recommended that ORD include grassroots environmental justice
organizations in the development of its EJ council. He noted that historically, there has been a
lack of engagement with college and university institutions such as HBCUs, land grant
institutions, and Native American institutions regarding funding opportunities such as the
STAR grants program. Regarding community engagement, he advised that ORD focus not just
on its research, but on how to implement the findings in those communities.
Sylvia Orduno recommended that ORD should identify how to fund transition projects and
work with community groups to transfer data into developing a strategic plan for policy
development and action items. ORD could identify ways to help prepare communities and
research institutes to take the available information and use it to achieve EJ goals within the
community.
Milli Piazza recommended creating how-to videos on YouTube to demonstrate how
members of the community could make use of available resources and tools. She also
recommended tapping into existing EJ groups and networks to share those tools.
Cynthia Rezentes recommended reaching out to local university systems in Alaska and
Hawaii, in addition to the Alaska Native Corporations and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, in
order to disseminate information about grants and RFPs.
Dr. Rodan and Ms. Deener thanked the NEJAC members for their comments and shared that
Danielle Branch, the EJ coordinator for ORD, would be working to incorporate the feedback.
3.0 Presentation from the EPA's Office of Public Affairs on Risk Communication
Andrea Drinkard, senior adviser in the Office of Public Affairs, gave remarks on the topic of risk
communication, stating that it is an important component of EPA's mission to protect human health
and the environment and is a priority of Administrator Wheeler. The Administrator stresses the
importance of all of EPA, including all of the program offices and regions, speak with one voice and
convey the same information to the American public about environmental health risks associated
with different chemicals and pollutants. Ms. Drinkard thanked the NEJAC for partnering with the
EPA on risk communication, acknowledging that environmental hazards disproportionately impact
individuals in marginalized communities and asking the NEJAC for feedback on how the Agency can
more effectively communicate risks to those communities. She announced that at the behest of
Administrator Wheeler, the EPA has formed an agency-wide risk communications group to assess
how each office is approaching risk communication and how these efforts may be improved in the
future. One of the proposed actions is to hire a new senior risk communication adviser who will
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serve as a checkpoint for all the offices and regions to enhance the consistency of risk
communication at the EPA. Ms. Drinkard asked the NEJAC to share feedback about ways the EPA
can improve its risk communication, both through comments following her presentation and
through future participation in an ad-hoc sub-group on the topic.
Dennis Randolph suggested ensuring that technical concepts are communicated simply so that
individuals without a scientific background can understand what is being conveyed.
Sacoby Wilson recommended focusing on risk communication to increase environmental health
literacy of the public.
Sylvia Orduno recommended focusing on emergency risk communication and increasing trust
between the EPA and the public. Ms. Drinkard acknowledged that risk communication and
emergency response are two separate efforts, but certain concepts can be shared across those lines
to benefit both programs.
Na'Taki Osborne Jenks, Kelly Wright, Jerome Shabazz, Sacoby Wilson, and Dennis Randolph
offered to be part of the ongoing risk communication conversation suggested by Ms. Drinkard in
her remarks.
4.0 NEJAC Letter Review
4.1 Aboveground Storage Tanks Letter
Melissa McGee-Collier led the NEJAC in its discussion about the recommendation letter regarding
aboveground storage tanks. She summarized the position taken by the NEJAC in the letter, including
prior recommendations the NEJAC had made to the EPA on the subject, incidents in the United
States involving aboveground storage tanks, the currently existing regulations, and the benefit of
the EPA implementing further regulations.
Kelly Wright asked that the letter be amended to include language about agricultural storage.
Sylvia Orduno ensured there were no final comments and called for the NEJAC to vote on approval.
The letter was approved to go forward to the Administrator with the proposed amendment
4.2 Data Limitations Letter
Cynthia Rezentes led the NEJAC in its discussion about the recommendation letter regarding data
limitations, recognized that some of the issues discussed in the letter about data limitations—
namely, that the available tools do not cover all of the areas of the United States and territories that
the EPA is responsible for—were addressed by ORD in their presentation. However, it was still
recommended to submit the letter to the Administrator, with an edit to the language stating that
certain areas were excluded by EnviroAtlas until recently.
Sylvia Orduno ensured that there were no final comments and called for the NEJAC to vote on
approval. The letter was approved to go forward to the Administrator with the proposed
amendment.
4.3 PFAS Letter
Sylvia Orduno led the NEJAC in its discussion about the recommendation letter regarding the PFAS
class of chemicals. She summarized the position taken by the NEJAC in the letter that the EPA
should strengthen its PFAS action plan and the specific recommendations proposed by the NEJAC.
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Jan Fritz suggested that the letter be edited to note that there are currently 712 PFAS sites in 49
states in the country.
Karen Sprayberry proposed the addition of a recommendation that the EPA form a scientific
community for drinking water similar to the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, stating that the
health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion may be difficult to achieve across the board as each
state has very different levels. After discussion, Ms. Sprayberry agreed that the letter could proceed
as is. Ms. Orduno suggested making a change to an existing recommendation that would
acknowledge the differences between states and the challenges of establishing a limit at the federal
level. Charles Chase volunteered to assist with changing the language for this recommendation.
Sacoby Wilson recommended adding examples of contamination from other communities across
the country. He also recommended adding a recommendation to look more closely at occupational
health impacts.
Sylvia Orduno ensured that there were no final comments and called for the NEJAC to vote on
approval. The letter was approved to go forward to the Administrator with the proposed additions
and amendments.
4.4 NEPA Letter
Dennis Randolph led the NEJAC in its discussion about the recommendation letter regarding the
National Environmental Policy Act and its relation to Environmental Justice. He summarized the
position taken by the NEJAC in the letter and the points that the NEJAC advised for further scrutiny.
Karen Sprayberry suggested the addition of a recommendation that an external party review how
the EPA responds to requests or suggestions.
Sacoby Wilson agreed with the addition about an external review and recommended adding a
section that requires health impact assessments as part of the NEPA process. He also recommended
that the EPA should take the plain language approach to disseminating information to communities,
and that health economists should be part of the team doing NEPA review.
Sylvia Orduno recommended that Mr. Randolph, Ms. Sprayberry, and Mr. Wilson work together to
make the proposed changes to the letter and called for the NEJAC to vote on its approval. The letter
was approved to go forward to the administrator once the proposed changes have been made.
5.0 Public Comment Period
Sylvia Orduno apologized for the meeting being behind schedule due to the conversation during
the letter review section and opened the floor for public comment.
5.1 Kate Macintosh - Louisiana Bucket Brigade
Kate Macintosh wanted to call attention to RISE St James, a state-based community organization
in Cancer Alley, an area along the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. She
offered thanks to the NEJAC for urging the EPA to regulate ethylene oxide, as well as to preserve the
chemical disaster safety rule. Ms. Macintosh stated that Cancer Alley residents are being poisoned
by toxic air emissions, and these regulations are saving them from further toxic pollution. She then
referred to environmental racism in St James Parish, stating that there are petrochemical plants
concentrated in two districts with a majority African-American population and that those residents
bear a pollution burden and cancer risk. The St. James district has eight operating plants with two
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under construction and four slated for approval. One is Formosa, aka FG LA LLC, a complex
comprised of 14 new plants. Formosa would emit 800 tons of toxic air pollutants each year,
doubling the toxic air pollution for St James residents and serving as the largest new source of
greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Ms. Macintosh stated that to date, RISE St. James has
received no contact from the EPA.
Mr. Tejada confirmed that Gloria Vaughn, the Environmental Justice coordinator from Region 6 of
the EPA, would be in contact to discuss the issue further.
5.2 Juan Parras - Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS)
Juan Parras wanted to register his disappointment that the next NEJAC in-person meeting would
not be taking place in Houston and that the NEJAC was not given the opportunity to vote on the
location. He stated that there is a plastic boom taking place in Texas that will be releasing billions of
pounds of ethylene oxide.
Matthew Tejada, DFO shared that due to changes in political leadership in Region 6, the EPA was
unable to commit to hosting the NEJAC in Texas, so the responsibility shifted to Region 4 and
Florida, specifically Jacksonville. Houston is still a priority location, but the NEJAC meeting could
not be postponed until Region 6 was ready to host. The selection of meeting locations is a
partnership between the Office of Environmental Justice and EPA leadership.
Sylvia Orduno suggested that the NEJAC figure out how to better communicate with impacted
communities, instead of relying on in-person meetings. She also suggested that a separate
discussion take place to focus on the issues affecting Houston.
5.3 Nil Adjukoff - Bethel, Alaska
Nil Adjukoff commented that he hopes that there will be follow-up on the discussion about the
NEPA process and EIS statements. He also seconded Mr. Wilson's comments on using actual science
in environmental impact statements.
5.4 Marvin Robinson
Marvin Robinson commented that the EPA needs to be doing more to relay to other governmental
agencies, such as the Department of the Interior and the Veterans Administration, the importance
of community engagement
5.5 Louis Zeller - Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
Louis Zeller thanked the NEJAC for its work. He then raised issues that have occurred in Virginia
and North Carolina regarding environmental quality agencies issuing permits that, while in
compliance with national ambient air quality standards, have an adverse impact on communities.
Sacoby Wilson recommended asking these agencies to look at cumulative risk and to gather site-
specific data rather than regional monitors to inform decision making and to focus on local
ordinances rather than just the national standard. He recommended that Mr. Zeller contact an
organization in Maryland called Communing Communities.
5.6 Emma Cheuse - Earth Justice
Emma Cheuse offered solidarity for the comments offered by TEJAS and the Louisiana Bucket
Brigade. She thanked the NEJAC for responding to public comments with its letters on ethylene
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oxide and the EPA's risk management program. She asked that the NEJAC share any updates
received from the EPA on either of these issues. She stated the importance of the NEJAC providing
ongoing advice on environmental issues and supported the request that the NEJAC hold a meeting
in Houston and bring attention to the need for environmental justice and health protection in that
area.
5.7 Stephanie Herron - Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform
Stephanie Herron echoed Ms. Chu's comments of appreciation regarding the NEJAC letters, which
were a result of public comments received at the last NEJAC in-person meeting in Bethesda,
Maryland. She also echoed Mr. Parras' request for a NEJAC meeting in Houston, emphasizing that
meetings should take place in communities facing environmental justice concerns. Ms. Herron also
asked that the NEJAC provide any updates or response received from the EPA. Mr. Tejada
committed to having responses received from the EPA posted onto the NEJAC website so that any
interested party can access them.
6.0 Adjournment
Sylvia Orduno ensured that there were no further public comments, thanked all the participants,
and adjourned the meeting.
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APPENDIX A
AGENDA
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL PUBLIC TELECONFERENCE MEETING August 14,
2019- 3:00 PM-6:00 PM
AGENDA
3:00 pm - 3:10 pm WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
o Matthew Tejada - U.S. EPA Designated Federal Officer
o Karen L. Martin - U.S. EPA Designated Federal Officer
o Richard Moore - National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Chair
o Jill Witkowski Heaps - National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Vice-Chair
o Sylvia Orduno - National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Vice-Chair
3:10 pm - 3:30 pm WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
o Brittany Bolen, Associate Administrator - U.S. EPA Office of Policy
3:30 pm -4:15 pm OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOMENT - RESEARCH FUNDING
o Bruce Rodan - U.S. EPA - Office of Research and Development
o Kacee Deener - U.S. EPA - Office of Research and Development
o James Gentry - U.S. EPA - Office of Research and Development
4:15 pm-4:45 pm RISK COMMUNICATION
o Andrea Drinkard - U.S. EPA - Office of Public Affairs
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4:45 pm - 5:30 pm
DISCUSSION AND DELIBERATION OF ISSUE LETTERS
o Above Ground Storage Tanks - Melissa McGee-Collier - Mississippi Department of Environmental
Quality
o Data Limitations - Cynthia Rezentes - Mohala 1 Ka Wai
o PFAS/PFOA - Sylvia Orduno - Michigan Welfare Rights Organization
o NEPA - Dennis Randolph - City of Grandview, Missouri
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5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Members of the public will be given three (3) minutes to present comments on their issue or concern to
the NEJAC.
6:00 pm
CLOSING REMARKS & ADJOURN
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APPENDIX B
MEETING ATTENDEES
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Teleconference Attendees
First Name
Last Name
Company
Nile
Aguchak
Orutsararmiut Native Council
Yvette
Arellano
Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services
Samantha
Bayer
Oregon Farm Bureau
Agatha
Benjamin
US EPA
Brittany
Bolen
US EPA
John
Brakeall
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Tara
Brown
The Wilderness Society
Omari
Burrell
US EPA
Sylvia
Carignan
Bloomberg Environment
Emma
Cheuse
Earthjustice
Anna
Cummins
The 5 Gyres Institute
Deiclra
Davis
Texas A&M University
Hailey
Duncan
NAACP
Frances
Eargle
US EPA
Aris
Efting
City of Tacoma
Ngozika
Egbuonu
Waterkeepers Chesapeake
Jane
Eyre
U.S. House of Representatives
Cynthia
Ferguson
US Dept. of Justice / ENRD
Anna
Fletcher
Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
Laura
Flores Cantrell
Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment
Running
Grass
US EPA - Region 10
Stephanie
Herron
Environmental Justice Health Alliance for Chemical Policy
Reform
Nalleli
Hidalgo
Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services
Marcus
Holmes
US EPA - Region 1
Allison
Hoppe
US EPA
Ben
Hughey
Office of Senator Cory Booker
Patricia
Juarez
University of Texas at El Paso - Center for Inter-American
and Border Studies
Michele
Knorr
US EPA
Katie
Kruse
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and
Energy
Sara
LaBelle
Old Dominion University Graduate Student
Diane
Lauricella
Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs
Charles
Lee
US EPA
Michael
Malcom
The People's Justice Council
Tynechia
Marshall
Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Mary
Matthias
Orutsararmiut Native Council
Kate
Mcintosh
Louisiana Bucket Brigade
Jean
Mendoza
Friends of Toppenish Creek
Danielle
Mercurio
Van Ness Feldman LLP
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Teleconference Attendees
First Name
Last Name
Company
Althea
Moses
US EPA - Region 7
Roopa
Mulchandani
USEPA-OIG
Jasmin
Muriel
US EPA
Bridgette
Murray
Achieving Community Tasks Successfully (ACTS)
Crystal
Myers-Wilkins
Illinois EPA
Julie
Narimatsu
US EPA
Daria
Neal
Department of Justice
William
Nichols
US EPA
Yomi
Noibi
ECO-Action
Jacqueline V
Norris
Prince George's Environmental Equity Marginalized
Community Collaborative
Shannon
0' Neil
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Justin
Onwenu
Sierra Club
Ashley
Overton
City of Gary - Environmental Affairs
David
Padgett
Tennessee State University
Ana
Parras
Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services
Juan
Parras
Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services
Mil licent
Piazza
Washington State Department of Ecology
Raquel
Pinderhughes
San Francisco State University
Chris
Pressnall
Illinois EPA
Elise
Rasmussen
State of Washington Department of Health
Amani
Reid
Department of the Interior - Office of Environmental Policy
and Compliance
Danielle
Ridley
US EPA
Gary
Ringer
Detroit Fire Department
Elisa
Ringholm
Story of Stuff Project
Vanessa
Rivas Villanueva
Marvin
Robinson
Quindaro Ruins / Underground Railroad- Exercise 2020
Jonathan
Sandau
Oregon Farm Bureau
Oral
Saulters
National Tribal Brownfields Working Group
David
Schultz
Bloomberg Environment
Stephanie
Schwarz
Environmental Defense Fund
Isabel
Segarra
Earthjustice
Deneen
Simpson
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Darius
Sivin
International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and
Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)
Stephen
Stetson
Sierra Club
Elyse
Sutkus
US EPA - OLEM/OBLR
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Teleconference Attendees
First Name
Last Name
Company
Ean
Tafoya
Colorado Latino Forum
Steven
Taylor
Coming Clean
Larry
Taylor
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection
Kathy
Triantafillou
US EPA - Region 5
Kim
Tucker-Billingslea
General Motors LLC
Fatima
Ty
US EPA - Region 9
Gloria
Vaughn
US EPA - Region 6
Brian
Warner
New York Power Authority
Yolanda
Whyte
Dr. Yolanda Whyte Pediatrics
Carolyn
Yee
CalEPA - Department of Toxic Substances Control
Jonathan
Young
California Municipal Utilities Association
Louis
Zeller
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League
Victor
Zertuche
US EPA
Kate
Zielke
North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)
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APPENDIX C
WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENTS
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Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services
Juan Parras,
Executive
Director
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Ana Parras,
Executive Co-
Director
August 14,2019
Yvette Arellano,
Policy Research
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
August 14, 2019
RE: Teleconference Issues EPA must Invest in rectifying access issues
As grassroots advocates inTexas specifically the Houston and Greater Houston area we are concerned with
the lack of accessibility to follow information's during the NEJAC meeting. EPA is able to provide a series of
webinars for a number of issues. Why can we not have a webinar line for this issue to better share
information? We see this as a barrier to better understanding the information being presented.
We seek support from NEJAC to rectify this issue by providing a letter of support on recommendations
concerning access to information. As a grassroots organization that struggles with community
engagement, we invited a number of our partners including seniors, research partners, youth led
organizations, faith-based groups and others. Many of which were confused and could not follow the
material. How are we supposed to utilize tools and resources like the research grants, community tools
and EnviroAtlas if that we cannot even see them. We are not the first group to raise this concern and hope
you strongly consider to a webinar, live video feed or other platform. We see NEJAC as vital to our
advocacy work and one of the few times we can follow work our partners state, local and tribal have
developed.
It is vital for our continued participation to access the resources being presentedas they are spoken about
during the NEJAC. Whether intentionally or unintentionally this is an issue of a lack of access and limits
our participation compared to groups who have resources to participate in person. A lack of resources
should not limit access disproportionally compared to entities who are able to view them. This would be
one less burden to our already overburdened communities. Access to a webinar is a simple request that
would make a world of difference.
We hope to gain your support and assistance.
Yvette Arellano
Policy Research and Grassroots Advocacy
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^e.j.a.s
Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services
Juan Parras,
Executive
Director
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
August 14,2019
Ana Parras,
Executive Co-
Director RE: EJ Screen & Toxic Release Inventory - Problems
Yvette Arellano As grassroots advocates in Texas specifically the Houston and Greater Houston area we are
Policy Research concerned with how restricting the EJ screen and Toxic release Inventory is for our community
members. The limited access and use to computers, Internet connection, and tool development is
difficult for community members to readily learn about their community through online resources,
such as the EJ Screen and Toxic Release Inventory. Below are a sets of problems that have been
brought to our attention. The EJ Screen Workshops are compressed into one day and do not allow the
community members to understand the depth of the EJ Screen, nonetheless understand the
complexity of the ArchGIS version. Part of our work includes providing EJ Screen printed reports for
community members to take home. Currently the bookmark section only permits the web user to
save their project to the page without an option to share electronically. Any wrong click and the
selected area will erase permanently. The creation of a save, share, and undo option on the EJ Screen
would further facilitate community research or the creation of EJ Screen Online profiles in which
community member could sign-in and share data and information readily. Also when working on the
EJ Screen the census map only allows the user to select one Census block at a time and does not allow
the user to select multiple census blocks into one cluster. The EPA Toxic Release Inventory Map links
are broken, when the sites are clicked on, a page is displayed with and error message. The download
button for TRI reports is also broken and the spacing in the table cells hide the "next" button that
prompts you to the following page. We seek support from NEJAC to rectify these issues by providing a
letter of support on recommendations concerning the problems.
We hope to gain your support
Nalleli Hidalgo, Community Outreach
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From:
To:
Subject:
Date:
Marv Matthias
Neiac
Written Comment Submission
Wednesday, August 14, 2019 4:37:45 PM
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL (NEJAC) Public Comment Submission
Name: Mary Matthias
Name of Organization or Community: Orutsararmiut Native Council
City and State: Bethel, Alaska
Telephone Number: 907-543-2608
E-mail Address: mmatthias(5)nativecouncil.org
Brief description of concern: EPA has allowed the state of Alaska to issue wastewater permits to
mining industries, who have not adopted EPA's Clean Water Act policies.
Alaska is known to have rich abundance in wild salmon stocks, rural communities throughout our
state participate in the gathering of subsistence foods from both land and waterways.
Communities are residing along the Kuskokwim River, who all gather, hunt, and fish from this
river.
We are facing a large mining industry, called the Donlin Gold Mine Project. Donlin is backed up by
the state. It received over 16 Permits from ADF&G. DNR and DEC Division of Air and Water
Quality issued approvals for this mine to discharge treated wastewater into the Crooked Creek
river. This river connects to the Kuskokwim River, which is highly known as one of the largest
rivers in Alaska, where salmon migrate in and out from to the salmon spawning tributaries. There
are other non-salmon species
Our traditional cultural values are going unrecognized by the State of Alaska who wants to do
away with ANILCA Laws that protect lands and waterways. While we are working hard to protect
our natural resources, our environment, and our way of lifestyles. The federal government is
bound by law to deal with Tribes as sovereign governments.
What you want the NEJAC to advise EPA to do:
Enforce stricter regulations to the mining industries where states don't have adopted policies
from EPA's the Clean Water Act and not to overlook the tribal communities who live in areas
where cultural traditions are highly valued. There are many communities who have Indian
General Assistance Programs funded by EPA and their mission is to strive towards keeping their
communities and environment clean from contaminated and hazardous waste.
Best Regards,
Mary C. Matthias
Natural Resources Director
Orutsararmiut Native Council
Direct line: 543-0522
Main office: 907-543-2608
Cellphone: 545-4755
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From:
To:
Subject:
Date:
Reed. Sunnv Jason
Neiac
he NEJAC will convene a public teleconference meeting on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, starting at 3:00 p.m
Sunday, July 28, 2019 11:27:36 AM
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to post a proposal to the upcoming NEJAC teleconference taking place August
14th. I would like to propose the withholding of federal dollars allocated to the City of
Milwaukee, Wl if the city should fail to fund the replacement of the lead lateral lines in
several underserved communities. Milwaukee continues to receive federal dollars from
several federal agencies and continues to fund projects in the revitalized downtown areas.
One such project is the Milwaukee Trolley, referred to as the HOP. The city has expended
more than $50 million to date and plans on expanding the trolley line at an expense
estimated at more than $30 million. Doing so through federal, state and local tax incremental
financing districts and other funding mechanisms. Still, the lead water lines remain an
unfunded project. There should not be extravagant spending on non-essential and obsolete
transpiration systems for the wealthy when there are families being exposed to lead in their
drinking water.
I sincerely hope this issue can be resolved in an expeditious fashion.
Sunny J Reed
Port Washington, Wl 53074
sunnyjr2@illinois.edu
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Yolanda Whyte, MD
August 9, 2019
Re: National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) Public Comment
Dear NEJAC,
As a pediatrician and environmental health expert who has advocated for environmental justice
communities for the past decade, I fully support the work that you do. On behalf of the children and
families I see, and physician colleagues, I am very grateful for the guidance that you provide the EPA.
In consideration of the regulatory rollbacks, EPA budget cuts and rising number of environmental justice
communities and environmental-related diseases when the focus has highlighted the impact of
environmental pollution on the poor and minorities, I am now recommending the EPA restrategize its
priorities on highlighting the health impact of pollution on wealthy Caucasians.
As we all know, African-Americans are more EXPOSED to pollution with regard to living within close
proximity to coal plants, chemical plants and other hazardous sites. However, Caucasians, especially
male children, are more AFFECTED by pollution with regard to their rising rates of autism and cancer,
according to the CDC and National Cancer Institute, respectively.
Currently in Georgia, a wealthy Caucasian community in Smyrna, GA, a suburb of Atlanta, has been
dealing with uncontrolled ethylene oxide emissions from a medical sterilization plant. A middle class
Caucasian community in Juliette, GA is now a ghost town after their cancer clusters were linked to
uranium poisoning that residents attribute to the nearby coal plant. Waycross, GA has been dealing
with pediatric cancer clusters for almost a decade now. While that population is ethnically diverse, the
cancer clusters occur almost exclusively in Caucasian children.
Having the EPA refocus on a different demographic will hopefully generate compassion and empathy
that has been missing for so long. I have high hopes that this strategy will result in stronger protections,
stricter enforcements of environmental rules and regulations, increased funding for the EPA and most
importantly, improved health outcomes and peace of mind for all Americans.
Thank you.
Yolanda Whyte, MD
PO Box 720164
Atlanta, GA 30358
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APPENDIX D
MEETING PRESENTATIONS
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vvEPA
Office of Research and Development:
Update for the
National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
National Environmental Justice
Advisory Council Meeting
August 14, 2019
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vvEPA
NIH-EPA Environmental Health Disparities
Research Centers
Harvard University
& Boston University
University of
Southern
California
hns Hopkins
University
University of Arizona
& Northern Arizona
University
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vvEPA
Community-Based, Community-Engaged
Research
• Differential
Exposures
• Environmental
Sustainability and
Health Disparities.
* Cumulative Effects of
Multi-Environ mental,
Physical, and Social
Stressors.
• Community
Partnerships and
Engagement
• / :
* Land Use
Considerations and
Health Disparities
• Built Environment,
Housing, and
Transportation
ft
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v>EPA Community Engagement
University of New Mexico Researcher
presentation to Navajo Trustee Team, EPA
Region 9, community members and
researchers on limestone sorption research
results, July 2018
University of New Mexico Researchers teamed up with a tribal artist to
communicate scientific information to the community
U Damages Imm une Cell DMA
Zinc Repairs Damage to ONA
Healthy Immune Function Restored
Through the eyes ofZuni artist Mallery Quetawki\ 2017
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\ .
Vv
Community Engagement
The Johns Hopkins University Environmental Health Disparities Center
Comparing Urban and Rural Effects of Poverty on COPD
University of Southern California
Maternal and Developmental Risks from
Environmental and Social Stressors
(MADRES) Center
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Cleaning Products, Hidden Toxins,
and our Health
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v>EPA
STAR Research Project Making Difference
in Environmental Justice Communities
University of North Carolina STAR "Total Environmental Health" Research
Project partnered with a minority community without municipal water
supply annexation.
Scientific Evidence from STAR project helped support the annexation
petition.
Water service coming this fall!
Right: STAR project team member
Sydney Lockhart (MS student)
presents at community meeting
with Irongate Drive residents (June
2019)
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vvEPA
STAR and EJ Science and Research
"EPA strongly encourages all eligible applicants identified in Section
lllf including minority serving institutions (MSIs), to apply under this
opportunity
Since STAR began, 381 research grants have been awarded to Minority
Serving Institutions
New STAR funding opportunity: Contaminated Sites, Natural Disasters,
Changing Environmental Conditions and Vulnerable Communities:
Research to Build Resilience. OPEN: July 29, 2019 - CLOSE: Sept. 10, 2019
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vvEPA
Additional Resources
• Environmental Public Health Indicators Impact Report: Data and methods that support
environmental public health decision-making by communities:
https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record report.cfm?Lab=NCER&dirEntrvld=341Q77
A Decade of Tribal Environmental Health Research: Results and Impacts from EPA's
Extramural Grants and Fellowship Programs:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-Q8/documents/results-impacts.pdf
2017 Summary Report of Environmental Health Disparities:
https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public file download.cfm?p download id=536319
The Pilot EPA-NIMHD Centers of Excellence on Environment and Health Disparities:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2Q17-
11/documents/health disparities book 110217508finalv2.pdf
Working with Tribes to Assess, Manage, and Improve Ecosystem Function through
EPA's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Grants Program and Collaborative Research
https://cfpub.epa.gov/si/si public record report.cfm?Lab=NCER&dirEntrvld=341810
Projects:
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vvEPA
Opportunities to Engage
5/gn up for EPA Research Grants Listserv:
h tt ps:// www, e p a, gov/res e a rc h-
grants/research-grants-fellowship-and-sbir-
listserv
Peer Review Participant: Peer reviews ensure
all funded activities and research are
technically sound, competently performed,
properly documented and consistent with
established quality criteria. Contact: Meta
Bonner, bonner.meta@epa.gov
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&EPA EnviroAtlas Updates
Alaska, HawaiiUSVI, and Puerto Rico EnviroAtlas Data
Some EnviroAtlas data layers are already available for Alaska and
Hawaii and can be viewed in the EnviroAtlas Interactive Map
• Demographic variables from the US 2000 and 2010 Censuses
• Demographic variables 2012-2016 American Community Survey
• Ecosystem Markets
• 303d Assessed and Impaired Waters
• EPA Regulated Facilities Data (Superfund, RCRA, Brownfields)
• National Wetlands Inventory
ORD is developing "100 data layers for Alaska and Hawaii to include
in EnviroAtlas by 12/2019. Data for USVI and Puerto Rico in 2020.
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\7
EPA
V\
Alaska, Hawaii, USVI, and Puerto Rico in
EnviroAtlas
X \
m m
Alaska
Lower 48
Hawaii
Puerto
Rico& US
Virgin
Islands
EnviroAtlas developing new widget that will let users select geography of interest from map-
Only maps available for that extent will show up in Table of Contents.
I lt\ ir®AU.JS
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v>EPA \\ Regional-State-Tribal Innovation Projects
2019 Regional-State-Tribal Innovation Projects
Partnerships for Environmental Priorities
on In Utah
It PA RB| AMT>W»l*r
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to $Cff«n
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W*s-l#nv*w 0ls«*U*B*t
fi**1 Grii^S* for U6r*ry
Ale S«fiW* Li?*rt hrOff*rt*r
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C-*£jrw£t« lndl*fi tacto*
( nh***»d *o*l fc*k
to ftakicc indo&r
Air M*alth Hauo &
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oEP/A Additional Updates
Pb mapping to identify communities with high exposures
ORD research planning and consideration of EJ priorities
Partner engagement (public health, states, tribes)
Solutions-driven research
ORD Tools and Resources webinar series:
https://www.epa.gov/research/epa-tools-and-resoyrces-
webinar-series
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&EPA ORD Reorganization
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V V
v>EPA We would like your input
How best to share information about relevant grant findings?
How to increase awareness of STAR grant program, funding
opportunities, and application process?
How can we best share ORD tools and resources with
communities?
How can we continue this dialogue?
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vvEPA
Thank you
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