E J Community Learning Center Concept Paper

EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) plans to develop a learning center or institute for environmental justice community members. The purpose of the center would be to increase community awareness and understanding of environmental risks stemming from pollution and related environmental justice concerns.

This effort will build communities' capacity to participate in the protection of their air, water, and land resources by assisting them in understanding complex environmental regulations and procedures, opportunities for public involvement, and access to data and resources. It will also help community members in navigating and participating in the regulatory process.

OAR would like input from environmental justice communities and stakeholders as it begins to develop the learning center. OAR's concept paper contains initial thoughts about the learning center, can be downloaded at Comments on the concept paper are requested by March 10, 2011.