Justice Strategy February 2014 The Region 6 Vision is that all persons, regardless of race, ethnicity, culture or income, are protected from unacceptable levels of environmental pollution and hazards are given the opportunity to meaningfully participate in environmental decisions and processes that may affect their health or community. Environmental Justice is a principle that permeates all that we do in Region 6. EPA Region 6 PURPOSE The Region 6 Environmental Justice (EJ) Strategy is a broad set of principles designed to address the goals of the FY14-FY18 Cross-Agency Strategy for Working to Make a Visible Difference in Communities. Specific activities will be defined in other documents including EJ state action plans, regional annual plans and program commitments. STRATEGY In furtherance of the Region's Vision, the Region shall: 1. Direct the OEJTA Director, to oversee all Environmental Justice (EJ) efforts in the Region and to provide information and make recommendations to the Division Directors, Regional Administrator, and Deputy Regional Administrator. 2. Partner with the Region 6 States, Tribes, local officials, other federal agencies, communities, business, and industry (stakeholders) to help address existing EJ concerns, avoid the creation of new EJ concerns and find solutions that will promote EJ and sustainability. 3. Implement the programs it administers and oversees in a manner that provides for all persons in the community that are impacted by its decisions to have meaningful involvement to the maximum extent practical in the development of the decisions. 4. Design and engage in focused Regional initiatives that will help to prevent or address environmental justice issues and have lasting results across the Region. 5. Engage EJ community representatives in a collaborative process to identify priorities and develop plans that describe steps that the Region, the community and other stakeholders will take to address EJ issues. 6. Capture and share accomplishments in Annual Reports. ------- |