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Environmental Justice
What is Environmental Justice?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice, as fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, or commercial operations, or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies. Meaningful involvement means that potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decision-making about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health.
About Us
Environmental justice is an integral part of Region 4's mission. The Region, states, tribes, and affected communities work together to ensure equitable environmental and public health protection through effective implementation of policies and procedures.
In the southeast, the Environmental Justice Program is responsible for integrating environmental justice into the region's programs, policies, and procedures. Also, the Program promotes the integration of environmental justice into local, state, and federal government programs, policies, and procedures. In addition, the Program encourages stakeholder involvement in environmental justice by providing workshops and training.
Other major functions of the Program include managing environmental justice grants and processing environmental justice inquiries and complaints. The grants are awarded on an annual basis to eligible community groups and federally recognized 2 governments that are working on or planning to carry out projects to address environmental justice issues. Inquiries and complaints are reported to the Environmental Violations web site.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Inter Agency Working Group Meeting - Tentatively June 2012. Location TBD.
Save the Date - Southeast Regional Environmental Justice Conference
When: August 16-17, 2012
Where: Atlanta Federal Center - Sam Nunn Bldg.
61 Forsyth
Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 Cost: FREE
Audience: communities, states, local businesses, colleges, and universities in GA, AL, MS, TN, KY, FL, SC, NC
Please save the date for the Southeast Regional Environmental Justice Conference, to be held in Atlanta, GA on August 16-17, 2012. This conference is essential for promoting environmental justice and equality in EPA Region 4. Registration and more details will be available soon. Save the Date Flyer [PDF, 1pp., 205K]
- Learn about tangible solutions to address environmental, social, and health impacts associated with environmental pollution
- Engage in networking opportunities with environmental justice leaders and organizations
- Participate in various interactive workshops
- Participate in student poster session: Submission deadline, June 1, 2012 at www.surveymonkey.com/s/EJConferencePosterSession
For more information, contact Sheryl Good (good.sheryl@epa.gov), (404) 562-9559