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Environmental Justice
Small Grant Recipients
What
is Environmental Justice?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines Environmental
Justice as fair treatment for people of all races, cultures,
and incomes, in the development of environmental laws, regulations,
and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of
people, including a racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic group,
should bear a disproportionate impact from industrial, municipal,
or business operations or the implementation of government
programs and policies.
What is the mission of the EPA Southeast Region Environmental Justice Program?
- Raise awareness of environmental justice issues.
- Identify, assess, address, and respond to inequitable environmental impacts.
- Focus resources on areas shouldering a disproportionate share of environmental harm.
- Communicate to the public about opportunities to get involved in environmental decision making.
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 and Community Liaison Staff Office (Office) is responsible for integrating environmental justice into the region's programs, policies, and procedures. Also, the Office promotes the integration of environmental justice into local, state, and federal government programs, policies, and procedures. In addition, the Office encourages stakeholder involvement in environmental justice by providing workshops, training, and information.
Other major functions of the Office are managing environmental justice small grants and processing environmental justice inquiries and complaints. The grants are awarded on an annual basis to eligible community groups and federally recognized tribal governments that are working on or planning to carry out projects to address environmental justice issues. Inquiries and complaints are reported to the Environmental Justice and Community Liaison Staff Office on a daily basis. Resolution of these inquiries and complaints is coordinated by the Office and referred to other EPA Region 4 programs for action.
The region's Environmental Justice Cross-Divisional Team is composed of representatives from a cross-section of programs and activities. Team members include engineers, scientists, community relations experts, and grant specialists. They work together in support of the environmental justice program.
For information about the contents of this page please contact Elvie Barlow .