Friday, March 15, 2013

Matthew Tejada, Director, EPA Office of Environmental Justice

Matthew Tejada
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is turning to Matthew Tejada, a Houston activist, to lead the EPA's Office of Environmental Justice. As executive director of the Air Alliance Houston for almost six years (2007-2013), Tejada fought against pollution in poor neighborhoods surrounding Gulf Coast ports. Tejada is expected to begin his new role in early March.

University of Oxford, PhD, History,  20042006
 
University of Oxford, MPhil, Russian and East European Studies, 20022004
 
The University of Texas at Austin, BA, English, 19972000

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Journal CoverEnvironmental Justice

CALL FOR PAPERS


Environmental Justice is the essential peer-reviewed journal that explores the equitable treatment of all people, especially minority and low-income populations, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

They invite you and your colleagues to publish your most exciting new work in this important peer-reviewed journal dedicated to all aspects of the environmental justice movement. Submissions are encouraged on a rolling basis.
 
Environmental Justice welcomes papers on:
  • The adverse health effects on populations that are most subject to health and environmental hazards particularly those related to climate change, global warming, energy/power generation, food production and food access
  • The protection of socially, politically, and economically marginalized communities from environmental health impacts and inequitable environmental burden
  • The prevention and resolution of harmful policies, projects, and developments and issues of compliance and enforcement, activism, and corrective actions
  • Multidisciplinary analysis, debate, and discussion of the impact of past and present public health responses to environmental threats, current and future environmental and urban planning policies, land use decisions, legal responses, and geopolitics
  • Past and contemporary environmental compliance and enforcement, activism, and corrective actions, environmental politics, environmental health disparities, environmental sociology, and environmental history
  • The connection between environmental remediation, economic empowerment, relocation of facilities that pose hazardous risk to health, selection of new locations for industrial facilities, and the relocation of communities
  • The complicated issues inherent in remediation, funding, relocation of facilities that pose hazardous risk to health, and selection for new locations
They strongly encourage interdisciplinary papers that draw upon research from public health, engineering, history, philosophy and the social sciences. (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc Publishers)
 
Visit their Instructions for Authors page for further information.
 
Contact:
 
Sylvia Hood Washington, PhD, MPH, MSEEditor-in-Chief, Environmental JusticePresident, Environmental Health Research Associates, LLC
University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health
Institute for Environmental Science & Policy
2121 W. Taylor Street, Room 525
Chicago, IL 60612-7260

sewhood@uic.edu
sewhood@ehra.us

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Liebert Environmental Justice Content Alerts

current journal cover

Environmental Justice

Table of Contents Alert

Volume: 6, Number: 1, February 2013

View this Issue Online
 

Special Section: Empowered Partnerships, Part OneChristopher Bacon, Guest EditorArticles


Introduction to Empowered Partnerships: Community-Based Participatory Action Research for Environmental Justice
 
Christopher Bacon, Saneta deVuono-Powell, Mary Louise Frampton, Tony LoPresti, and Camille Pannu

 
Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 1-8.

The Three Rs: How Community-Based Participatory Research Strengthens the Rigor, Relevance, and Reach of Science

Carolina L. Balazs and Rachel Morello-Frosch

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 9-16.

THE (Trade, Health, Environment) Impact Project: A Community-Based Participatory Research Environmental Justice Case Study

Analilia P. Garcia, Nina Wallerstein, Andrea Hricko, Jesse N. Marquez, Angelo Logan, Elina Green Nasser, and Meredith Minkler

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 17-26.

Where Is the “Public” in Public Universities?

Malo A. Hutson

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 27-31.

Book Review

Book Review of Beth Rose Middleton's Trust in the Land: New Directions in Tribal Conservation

Scott W. Williams

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 32-33.

Additional Original Article

Embedding Issues of Environmental Justice in the Mainstream Curriculum

Marjorie M. Nussbaum

Environmental Justice, Vol. 6, No. 1, February 2013: 34-40.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

EPA Policy Documents on Title VI

Two Draft EPA Policy Documents on Title VI Out for Public Comment


EPA has made improving its civil rights program a priority and recognizes that its enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) is an important tool in its efforts to protect against discrimination and ensure that recipients of EPA financial assistance do not discriminate in implementing programs and activities.


As part of this effort, EPA has posted two draft policy papers for review and comment. The first draft policy paper proposes to change the way EPA assesses "adversity" by having the Agency refrain from applying a "rebuttable presumption" in certain Title VI investigations. The second draft paper discusses EPA's thinking on how to expand the roles of complainants and recipients in the Title VI complaints process.


EPA also adopted a Title VI Term and Condition that will be included in domestic grant awards made on or after January 23, 2013.


The two draft policy papers and the new grants language are on OCR's website at http://www.epa.gov/ocr/title6policy.htm. EPA will take comments on the two draft policy papers until March 8, 2013.


For further information or questions please contact:
Helena Wooden-Aguilar
External Civil Rights - Assistant Director
US EPA - Office of Civil Rights
202-564-0792
Wooden-Aguilar.Helena@epa.gov

NEJAC Seeks Nominations For New Members

Seeking Nominations for Members to EPA's National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). The NEJAC is a multi-stakeholder federal advisory committee that provides independent advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator about cross-cutting issues related to environmental justice.

This notice solicits nominations to fill at least six (6) new vacancies. To maintain the representation outlined by the charter, nominees will be selected to represent the following stakeholder work force sectors:

  • Academia (2 vacancies)
  • Grassroots Community-based organizations (1 vacancy)
  • Non-governmental/environmental organizations (1 vacancy)
  • State and local government agencies (1 vacancy)
  • Tribal governments and indigenous groups (1 vacancy)
Within these sectors, EPA is seeking nominees with knowledge and experience in community-driven initiatives, climate change adaptation, land use and equitable development, environmental sociology and statistical/data analysis, and environmental financing. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, the agency encourages nominations of women and men of all racial and ethnic groups. All nominations will be fully considered.

Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to this advisory committee. Individuals may self-nominate. Nominees should possess the following qualifications:
  • Strong understand of the issues facing communities with environmental justice concerns
  • Demonstrated experience with environmental justice and community sustainability issues at the national, state, or local level;
  • Excellent interpersonal and consensus-building skills
  • Willingness to commit time to the committee and demonstrated ability to work constructively and effectively on committees
  • Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication, and consensus-building skills
  • Ability to serve a 3-year appointment and to volunteer approximately 5 to 8 hours per month to support the Council's activities
How to Submit Nominations: Nominations can be submitted in electronic format (preferred) following the template available at . In order to fill anticipated vacancies by June 2013, nominations should be received by February 20, 2012.

Additional details regarding the nomination process and to learn more about NEJAC.

To be considered, all nomination packages should include:
  • Current contact information for the nominee, including the nominee's name, organization (and position within that organization), current business address, e-mail address, and daytime telephone number.
  • Brief Statement describing the nominee's interest in serving on the NEJAC
  • Resume and a short biography (no more than 2 paragraphs) describing the professional and educational qualifications of the nominee, including a list of relevant activities, and any current or previous service on advisory committees
  • Letter[s] of recommendation from a third party supporting the nomination. The letter(s) should describe how the nominee's experience and knowledge would bring value to the work of the NEJAC.
For further questions regarding this notice, please contact the EPA Office of Environmental Justice at (202) 564-2515.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

EPA Solicits Comments: National Enforcement Initiatives

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting public comment and recommendations on National Enforcement Initiatives to be undertaken in fiscal years (FY) 2014-2016. EPA is inviting interested Environmental Justice (EJ) stakeholders to comment on extending the current six national enforcement initiatives (See Background) for the FY 2014-2016 cycle. EJ stakeholders are also invited to propose new sectors or other important strategic areas for consideration.

A conference call is scheduled for January 28, 2013, 2:30 - 3:30 pm (EST). If you would like to participate, the dial-in number is: 1-866-299-3188; Conf. ID: 0872138#. If you have questions about the call, please contact: Michele McKeever in EPA's Office of Compliance, at 202-564-3688.
In preparing comments, please keep in mind that EPA will select a limited number of National Enforcement Initiatives (NEIs) for the FY 2014-2016 time period. Please note that EPA selects National Enforcement Initiatives taking into account Agency resource constraints and funding levels as well as criteria such as environmental impact, significant noncompliance, and appropriate federal role.



Background

EPA protects people's health and safeguards communities by assuring compliance with the nation's environmental laws and by taking enforcement action when laws are violated. Every three years, EPA reviews the national enforcement initiatives to ensure that the Agency's civil and criminal enforcement resources and expertise are focused on the most serious pollution problems affecting communities. For the FY 2011-2013 time period, EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) has six National Enforcement Initiatives. These initiatives are:
  • Municipal Infrastructure - addressing sewage discharges from combined sewer systems, sanitary sewer systems, and municipal separate storm sewer systems;
  • Mineral Processing - addressing hazardous waste at phosphoric acid facilities and high risk mineral processing sites;
  • New Source Review - controlling emissions from coal fired utility sector, cement plants, glass plants, and acid production plants;
  • Air Toxics - addressing toxic emissions from high risk facilities by examining leak detection and repair (LDAR), flares, and excess emission sources;
  • Energy Extraction - addressing land-based natural gas extraction facilities, including corporate-wide evaluations; and
  • Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations - addressing animal waste discharges from large animal feeding facilities.
For more information on the current initiatives, full descriptions can be found on the EPA website.
For the FY 2014-2016 time period, EPA is considering retaining the current National Enforcement Initiatives. However, if a compelling non-compliance problem were identified that was of similar significance to the existing NEIs, then EPA could focus a national initiative on another sector or strategic area. As EPA begins to identify FY 2014-2016 National Enforcement Initiatives, the Agency is inviting input and information on three issues:
  • whether to extend the current six National Enforcement Initiatives for the 2014-2016 cycle;
  • whether new sectors or strategic areas are appropriate for consideration; and
  • whether current or new significant environmental problems in Indian country or affecting Indian country exist that are appropriate for consideration.
EPA will incorporate the selected National Enforcement Initiatives into the Final FY 2014 National Program Manager (NPM) Guidance. The Guidance is scheduled to be finalized in late April 2013. (EPA)

Information on the NPM Guidance.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Conference


To expand the conversation on environmentalism and working for environmental justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf of Mexico Program will be hosting a Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Conference.

The conference will be held in Biloxi, MS, March 1-2, 2013, at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center.

The theme of the conference is: Environmental Justice: Systems, Symptoms, and Solutions.

Its purpose is to provide a forum for representatives from varying sectors to engage in dialogue and action regarding injustices plaguing vulnerable and underserved communities. To obtain additional information regarding the conference, please visit the EPA website and click on Register for the Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Conference.



Gulf of Mexico Environmental Justice Poster Presentation Submission

Anyone involved in the field of Environmental Justice, including community leaders, students, researchers, business/industry professionals, government agency employees, healthcare professionals, K-12 educators, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit posters for presentation. Organized, well-delivered presentations covering a variety of EJ Gulf topics of practical value to attendees' are desired. Reviewers look for clear descriptions of how these projects are helping people of the Gulf, especially EJ communities. Projects can range from restoration projects in at-risk communities to student led projects that are raising awareness about coastal issues affecting EJ communities. The poster submission entry form.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Connecticut College EJ Conference In April

SAVE THE DATES!
April 19 - 20, 2013
The Quest for Global Environmental Justice in an Increasingly Inequitable World
Join the Goodwin-Niering Center for the Environment at Connecticut College for our 2013
Elizabeth Babbott Conant & Christian A. Johnson Endeavor Foundation Conference.
For more information, please email them

Monday, December 31, 2012

NEJAC January Teleconference Meeting

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Public Teleconference Meeting Wednesday, January 23, 2013

The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) will host a public teleconference meeting on Wednesday, January 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time. The primary topic of discussion will be promoting community resiliency in overburdened industrial waterfront areas.

There will be a public comment period from 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Eastern Time. Members of the public are encouraged to provide comments relevant to the topics of the meeting.
To Register
  • Register Online
  • By Email: Send an email to with "Register for the NEJAC January 2013 Teleconference" in the subject line.
  • By Phone: Leave a voice message at 877-773-0779.
When registering, please provide your name, organization, city and state, email address, and telephone number for follow up. Please also state whether you would like to be put on the list to provide public comment, and whether you are submitting written comments before the Friday, January 11, 2013, deadline. Non-English speaking attendees wishing to arrange for a foreign language interpreter may also make appropriate arrangements using the email address or telephone number.

Members of the public who wish to attend or to provide public comment must pre-register by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, January 11, 2013. Individuals or groups making remarks during the public comment period will be limited to five minutes. To accommodate the large number of people who want to address the NEJAC, only one representative of a community, organization, or group will be allowed to speak. Written comments can also be submitted for the record. The suggested format for individuals providing public comments is as follows: name of speaker; name of organization/community; city and state; and email address; brief description of the concern, and what you want the NEJAC to advise EPA to do.

Written comments received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, January 11, 2013, will be included in the materials distributed to the NEJAC prior to the teleconference. Written comments received after that time will be provided to the NEJAC as time allows. All written comments should be sent to EPA’s support contractor, APEX Direct, Inc., via email.

Information about Services for Individuals with Disabilities: For information about access or services for individuals with disabilities, please contact Ms. Estela Rosas, APEX Direct, Inc., at 877-773-0779 or via email.

Friday, December 21, 2012

EPA Seeks Nominations for Annual Environmental Quality Awards

Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honors businesses, individuals, governments and organizations that have contributed significantly to improving the environment and protecting public health in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and eight federally recognized Indian Nations over the past year.

EPA is now seeking nominations for this annual award. Winners will be honored at an awards event in April 2013. Each winner will receive a plaque recognizing her or his environmental achievement at a ceremony during Earth Week. The Agency is accepting nominations for its Environmental Quality Awards until February 19, 2013.

EPA wants to recognize businesses, individuals, organizations and government agencies that often blaze the trail on a range of environmental protection and public health issues. Everyone is encouraged to submit nominations that illustrate outstanding environmental accomplishments. The awards recognize achievement in six categories:
  •   Business and Industry
  •    Individual Citizen
  •    Non-Profit Organization, Environmental or Community Group
  •    Environmental Education
  •    Federal, State, Local or Tribal Government or Agency
  •    Print and Broadcast Media
For award criteria, prior winners and nomination instructions, visit EPA's Environmental Quality Award webpage.
For additional information, please contact Elizabeth Myer, Public Affairs Division, at (212) 637-3860.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

EPA January Community Call Jan 17


EPA Environmental Justice Quarterly Community Outreach Call - January 17, 2013. Additional details will follow in January.

Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has made Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working for Environmental Justice one of EPA’s top priorities. In support of this priority, we invite environmental justice advocates to participate on our next Environmental Justice Community Outreach Call, which will take place on January 17, 2012.

The purpose of these calls is to provide information to participants about the Agency’s EJ activities and maintain an open dialogue with EJ advocates. As EPA continues to advance Plan EJ 2014, the Agency hopes that these calls will better inform the public about EPA’s EJ work and enhance opportunities to take advantage of federal activities.

Listen to, or read about, previous calls.

We are taking suggestions on agenda topics for the upcoming call. After receiving your suggestions, we will select the topic(s) that are of general concern to communities. Please keep in mind that the call will only last one hour, so the number of topics discussed will be limited. Submit a topic.

For more information about the Administrator’s priorities

For more information about Plan EJ 2014

Thursday, December 6, 2012

EPA Announces 2012 EJ Small Grants

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a total of $1.2 million in competitive grants awarded to 50 non-profit and tribal organizations working to address environmental justice issues nationwide. The grants enable non-profit organizations to conduct research, provide education, and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in low-income communities overburdened by harmful pollution.

The 2012 grants support activities that address a range of community concerns including restoring and protecting waterways, reducing exposure to air pollutants from diesel exhaust and seeking healthier alternatives to household pesticides.

Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process. Since 1994, EPA’s environmental justice small grants program has supported projects to address environmental justice issues in more than 1,300 communities. The grants represent EPA’s continued commitment to expand the conversation on environmentalism and advance environmental justice in communities across the nation.

2012 EJ Small Grant recipients and project descriptions


More information about EPA’s Environmental Justice Small Grants program


Request for Proposals (RFP) for the FY 2013 Environmental Justice Small Grants and schedule of pre-application teleconference calls.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Detroiters Working For Environmental Justice

Mission

Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice works with communities to create cleaner, healthier and safer neighborhoods.

Vision

DWEJ envisions Detroit as a vibrant urban center in SE Michigan where all thrive in environmental, economic, and social health. We aim to foster sustainable communities by:
  • Reducing health hazards
  • Encouraging sustainable development
  • Influencing economic vitality in the communities we serve
Background

Since 1994, DWEJ has been a voice for environmental justice in Michigan. Historically, minority and low-income populations have suffered disproportionately from environmental pollution, often because they have the least capacity to respond. DWEJ is dedicated to empowering urban residents to take a meaningful role in the decision-making process surrounding environmental concerns in their own communities.

They are also about building connections—between jobs and a healthy environment, community development and environmental justice, community-driven policy and economic development.

Guy Williams, CEO

Guy Williams is a DWEJ founding member and also served for many years on the Board of Directors. He has been the CEO of DWEJ for two years.  Williams was formerly the owner of the consulting firm G.O. Williams & Associates, LLC. He waas previously Program Manager at Fair Food Foundation, Sr. Director, Community Relations and Great Lakes Regional Director at National Wildlife Federation, He is a graduate of Bucknell University.
 
He served as Chair of the Washtenaw County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, on the board of the S.E. Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and Vice-Chair of the national board of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. He is a member of the External Advisory Committee of the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems, Great Lakes Leadership Academy Board of Governors and the Michigan Green Chemistry Roundtable.

Williams is a registered lobbyist in the State of Michigan, board member of Eastern Market Corporation (Detroit), recent past president of the Legacy Land Conservancy and board member of Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice.

Monday, November 12, 2012

A Review of State-Level Analytical Approaches for Evaluating Disproportionate Environmental Health Impacts



Abstract

While many federal agencies are undertaking environmental justice-related activities to respond to Executive Order 12898 issued by President Clinton in 1994: “Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations,” there is a lack of guidance on how to assess disproportionate human health or environmental effects of agency programs, policies, and actions on minority and low-income populations. Meanwhile, many state governments are now developing their own strategies for identifying disproportionate environmental health impacts and addressing environmental justice concerns.

The purpose of this study is to review the diversity of state-level approaches and methodologies for conducting disproportionate environmental health impact evaluations as part of their environmental justice programs and initiatives. We found state approaches to these assessments, often called “environmental justice analyses” range from simple qualitative evaluations of demographic indicators, such as race and income, to complex quantitative analyses of environmental health hazards such as statistical modeling across populations and geographic regions.

In spite of the progress many states have made to develop methods for disproportionate environmental health impact assessment, several challenges remain such as linking these evaluation approaches to health risks so as to be useful in regulatory decision making, greater quantity and variety of robust data sets at the proper spatial resolution, increased funding to implement programs over the long-term, and collaboration among relevant governmental agencies at all levels. (Mary Ann Liebert)

Author information

Devon Payne-Sturges, Amalia Turner, Jessica Wignall, Arlene Rosenbaum, Elizabeth Dederick, and Heather Dantzker

Dr. Payne-Sturges is Assistant Center Director for Human Health at ORD/National Center for Environmental Research in Washington, DC. Ms. Turner is a senior associate at ICF International in Durham, North Carolina. Ms. Wignall is an Environmental Sciences and Engineering MSPH candidate at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Ms. Rosenbaum is a technical director at ICF International in Rohnert Park, California. Dr. Dederick is a manager at ICF International in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania. Dr. Dantzker is a manager at ICF International in Fairfax, Virginia.

Address correspondence to:

Devon C. Payne-Sturges
Assistant Center Director for Human Health
ORD/National Center for Environmental Research
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 8723P
Washington, DC 20460-0001
E-mail:

Saturday, October 20, 2012

2013 EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants


The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that it is seeking applicants for a total of $1.5 million in environmental justice small grants to be awarded in 2013. EPA’s environmental justice efforts aim to ensure equal environmental and health protections for all Americans, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. The grants enable non-profit organizations to conduct research, provide education and develop solutions to local health and environmental issues in communities overburdened by harmful pollution. Grants are available for up to $30,000 each.

The 2013 grant solicitation is now open and will close on Jan. 7, 2013. Applicants must be incorporated non-profits or tribal organizations working to educate, empower and enable their communities to understand and address local environmental and public health issues. EPA will host four pre-application teleconference calls on Oct. 30, 2012; Nov. 14, 2012; Dec. 1, 2012; and Dec. 13, 2012 to help applicants understand the requirements.

Previous grants have supported activities including projects to better protect children in the Boston-area from incidences of lead poisoning and asthma attacks, conduct research on air quality in a portside Philadelphia community and provide support to residents on the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota to repair failing septic systems and identify water that is unsafe to drink.

The principles of environmental justice uphold the idea that all communities overburdened by pollution – particularly minority, low income and indigenous communities – deserve the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, equal access to the decision-making process and a healthy environment in which to live, learn and work. Since 1994, the environmental justice small grants program has provided funding in more than 1,300 communities, to community-based non-profit organizations and local governments working to address environmental justice issues. The grants represent EPA’s commitment to expand the conversation on environmentalism and advance environmental justice in communities across the nation.

More information about the Environmental Justice Small Grants program

Environment Justice Small Grants 2013 Request for Proposals and schedule of pre-application teleconference calls

University of Maryland EJ Symposium


First Annual Symposium On Environmental Justice And Environmental Health Disparities In Maryland And DC - Details
The Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health and the Program on Community Engagement, Environmental Justice and Health (CEEJH) are pleased to announce "First Annual Symposium on Environmental Justice and Environmental Health Disparities in Maryland and Washington, DC". The Symposium will be held on Saturday December 1, 2012, 9:00-AM to 4:00-PM; at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union Building at University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
This symposium will serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas among community members, researchers, public health practitioners, policymakers, students, and advocates on environmental justice issues and health disparities the region. The goal of this symposium is to establish and sustain a community engaged research enterprise on critical environmental health disparities and environmental justice issues, to raise the visibility of racial and ethnic environmental health disparities and feasible solutions with Marylanders, DC residents, and regional stakeholders, and facilitate action for change. In addition, this meeting will focus on intergenerational leadership development on environmental justice and health issues with a series of activities for youth from the region. A major outcome of this meeting is seeding the establishment of a community-driven regional environmental justice network.
This meeting is being sponsored by Hoff Funding Board, an organization that promotes the creation of community by providing the highest quality programming, services, and resources that meet the unique needs of students, staff, faculty, and visitors.
This meeting is sponsored by the Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health (MIAEH) Program on Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health (CEEJH), Maryland Environmental Health Network (MEHN), Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN), Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF), United States Environmental Protect Agency (USEPA), State of Maryland, Office of Minority Health, Anacostia Watershed Society, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, the Hoff Funding Board, and Dance Exchange. (CEEJH)
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Sacoby Wilson, PhD, MS - swilson2@umd.edu This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Laura Dalemarre, MPH - ldalemar@umd.edu This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 301-405-5706

Monday, September 17, 2012

Webinar on EPA's Environmental Job Training Program


You are cordially invited to join

Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Solid Waste & Emergency Response of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

for a

Webinar & Conversation on EPA's Environmental Job Training Program Friday, September 21st,  3:00 p.m. EDT

The webinar will highlight EPA’s Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grant Program that provides funding to recruit, train, and place unemployed individuals residing in waste-impacted communities with the skills needed to secure employment in the environmental field. In addition to the Assistant Administrator, participants will learn about the program from previous grantee and program leaders.

If you are able to attend, please register by 3pm, Wednesday, September 19th. Upon receipt of your rsvp, you will receive a confirmation email with more details.

*****************

Note: Prospective applicants include government entities, states, tribes, nonprofit organizations, community colleges and workforce investment boards. For more information on EPA’s Environmental Workforce Development & Job Training Grant Program, please visit www.epa.gov/brownfields/job.htm


EPA’s Building Blocks for Sustainable


Learn about technical assistance available through EPA’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program

On Friday, Sept. 21, join EPA’s Office of Sustainable Communities for an overview of free technical assistance available to communities through EPA’s Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities Program. This program provides short-term, targeted technical assistance to help communities implement smart growth development approaches, such as creating a green streets strategy, linking land use to water quality, or conducting a walking audit.

This webinar will focus on assistance available directly from EPA and from four EPA grantees:

ForTerra, Project for Public Spaces, Smart Growth America, and Global Green. Participants will learn about the types of assistance available and how to apply. EPA’s call for letters of interest will be released the day before this webinar. This round, EPA will be offering assistance to help local governments and community organizations support equitable development. Assistance recipients will learn about locally relevant approaches to provide housing and transportation choices for residents of all income levels, preserve and strengthen diverse local businesses, enhance access to jobs, and ensure that revitalization is fair and inclusive.

Webinar Details Friday, Sept. 21, 2012, 1:00-2:30 Eastern

No pre-registration is required. Call 1-888-850-4523. Participant passcode: 719661.

This conference has a maximum audio capacity of 299 callers, so participants may wish to share lines.

• Please test your computer prior to attending the meeting 

• The Connection Test checks your computer to make sure all system requirements are met. If you pass the first three steps of the test, then you are ready to participate in a meeting.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Warren County, NC EJ Legacy Celebration Announcement


On Saturday, September 15, 2012 the citizens of Warren County, North Carolina will commemorate and celebrate their legacy as the birthplace of the environment justice movement. Thirty years ago, the state of North Carolina dumped 40,000 cubic yards of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated soil in the Afton Community of Warren County. It was thought that the mostly black, rural, and low wealth residents would not fight back. Well they did, and they were joined by people from all over the country as they marched on Raleigh, laid in front of dump trucks, and brought national attention to environmental injustice everywhere. Their actions started a movement that has spread around the world.

This unique PCB Landfill Protest Reunion and Environmental Justice Birthplace 30th Anniversary Celebration - Theme: "Telling Our Story - Building Our Future" will be held at the Coley Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 224 Parktown Road, Warrenton, NC 27589 Saturday, September 15, 2012 starting at 8:00 am, and continue until 2:00 pm. For more information please contact Bill Kearney (252) 257-1491, email address: handsincorporated@earthlink.net 

Friday, August 31, 2012

EPA Environmental Justice Community Outreach Call


September 20, 2012 at 5 p.m. ET


Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has made Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working for Environmental Justice one of EPA's top priorities. In support of this priority, EPA invites environmental justice advocates to participate on the next Environmental Justice Community Outreach Call, which will take place on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 5 p.m. ET.

The purpose of these calls is to provide information to participants about the Agency's EJ activities and maintain an open dialogue with EJ advocates. As EPA continues to advance Plan EJ 2014, the Agency hopes that these calls will better inform the public about EPA's EJ work and enhance opportunities to take advantage of federal activities. Listen to, or read about, previous calls.

EPA is  taking suggestions on agenda topics for the upcoming call. After receiving your suggestions, we will select the topic(s) that are of general concern to communities. Please keep in mind that the call will only last one hour, so the number of topics discussed will be limited. Submit a topic.

For more information about the Administrator's priorities

For more information about Plan EJ 2014