USDA SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS TO REPAIR RURAL HOUSING

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, left, announced today that USDA is accepting applications for grants to help low- and very-low-income rural residents repair their homes. Housing Preservation Grants are provided to intermediaries such as town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and nonprofit and faith-based organizations. The grants are distributed to homeowners or owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very-low-income people.

Grants can be used to weatherize and repair existing structures, install or improve plumbing or provide access to people with disabilities. USDA may award up to $10 million in competitive grants through this notice. The grants to be awarded are part of USDA Rural Development's annual budget and are not funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Applications are due by the close of business July 10, 2009. Applications may be accessed electronically. Also see the May 11, 2009, Federal Register, page 21775.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development and supports the creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA Rural Development's web site .

EPA's Jackson & Congressional Delegation To Tour Water Systems in the Netherlands

U.S. EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu, members of Congress, state and local officials and others will go on a three day tour of the Netherlands’ comprehensive flood control system from May 26-28. EPA does work through several programs, such as smart growth and wetlands preservation, that focuse on flood mitigation.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Amsterdam: Site visit and briefings.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 The Hague: Briefings

Thursday, May 28, 2009 Rotterdam: Site visits and briefings.

UPDATE (May 27, 2009) May 27, 2009)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson is scheduled to co-lead the U.S. delegation at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meeting. The OECD’s joint high level meeting of the Development Assistance Committee and the Environment Policy Committee will take place on May 28 and 29 in Paris, France. Administrator Jackson will share the U.S. lead with USAID Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham.

On Friday, May 29, Administrator Jackson will be a lead speaker in a discussion on low-carbon development and strategies for achieving a solution to climate change while reducing poverty and spurring economic development.

East Coast West Coast Who Is The Best Host? John

The conference is all set.

From everybody:

Thank you John.

National Black Farmers Association Legislative Conference

2009 National Black Farmers Association Legislative Conference Wednesday, April 29, 2009 WWW.NBFA-RALLY.COM 1 866-962-0251 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS FREE

The Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel
415 New Jersey Ave NW
Washington DC 20001
Ph 202 434-0115

8:00 am-9:00 Breakfast 9:00 am – 10:00 am

Panel #1: “Availability of Federal Funds to Small and Black Farmers”
Invited Speakers: USDA Undersecretary James “Jim” Miller, Rep. Sanford Bishop (AG Appropriations), Rep. Lincoln Davis (AG Appropriations), Sen. Tom Harkin (Chair Ag Committee), Farm Service Agency and USDA Undersecretary Dallas Tonsager 10:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Panel #2: “The Cost to the Black Farmer of Anti-Competitive Practices in the Bio-Tech Seed and Chemical Industries” Invited Speakers: Rep. Conyers (MI), Rep. Johnson (GA), Rep. Jackson-Lee (TX), Rep. Watt (NC), Sen. Kohl (WI), Sen. Leahy (VT) 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Lunch “Update on the status of the Pigford Lawsuit” Invited Speakers: Rep. Bosewell (IA), Jim Farrin, Lawrence Lucas, Dr. John Boyd, President Obama, Attorney General Holder, Secretary Vislack (USDA), Rep. McIntyre (NC), Rep Scott (GA), Rep. Scott (VA), Sen. Cardin (MD), Rep. Lee 2 pm Dr. Boyd Comments and call to Action

TO REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE, PLEASE CONTACT MIKE CULVER AT 202-661-6318 OR EMAIL MCULVER@BGRDC.COM. RECOMMENDED HOTELS: Vienna Wolf Trap Hotel 430 Maple Avenue West Vienna, Virginia 22180 Phone: (703) 281-2230 Only $88 per night Holiday Inn Central 1501 Rhode Island Ave, NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 888-897-0084

Environmental Justice in America Conference 2009 Says:

HAPPY




EARTH




DAY

EPA's EJ Achievement Awards (Due May 13, 2009)‏

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting applications for the 2009 Achievement in Environmental Justice Awards. Nominations must be postmarked by May 13, 2009.

National awards for achievements in environmental justice will be given to multi-stakeholder partnerships for their achievement in addressing environmental justice issues or achieving the goals of environmental justice in a manner that results in positive impacts to a community. Multi-stakeholder partnerships bring together diverse organizations with multiple perspectives and interests to address these issues. Such partnerships refer to arrangements in which stakeholders work together to achieve common goals. Multi-stakeholder partnerships must be made up of three or more of the following organizations:

Community-Based Organizations (required)
Academic Institutions
Business and Industry Organizations
Non-Governmental and Environmental Organizations
State and Local Government Organizations
Tribal Government and Indigenous Organizations Multi-stakeholder partnerships will be evaluated based on how they addressed environmental justice issues in accordance with the following criteria:
Partnerships and Collaboration;
Innovation;
Community, Equity, and Public Involvement;
Integration;
Leveraged Resources/Capacity Building/Sustainability; and
Demonstrated Results/Effectiveness.

Each multi-stakeholder partnership applying for an award must have reached a significant environmental justice milestone or accomplishment within the past 5 years (2004-2008). EPA will announce award winners in Fall 2009. Award winners will receive national recognition for their significant environmental justice achievements. Winners will also be featured on the EPA Office of Environmental Justice's Web site. National recognition may also open doors for the award winners to network and partner with other organizations across the U.S. that share a similar commitment to environmental justice excellence.

Application

Environmental Justice Achievement Awards Program

Contact Lisa Hammond at (202) 564-0736

EPA Awards $800,000 in EJ Grants in 28 States

EPA is awarding approximately$800,000 in grants to organizations working with communities facing environmental justice challenges throughout the country. Forty grants, up to $20,000 each, are going to community-based organizations and local and tribal governments in 28 states for community projects aimed at addressing environmental and public health issues.

The projects will address a variety of issues including:

· educating youth about the harmful effects of toxicsubstances such as asbestos and lead paint in Chicago;

· educating Albuquerque, N.M. residents and businesses onways to properly dispose of hazardous waste;

· conducting residential energy efficiency workshops andtraining in Kansas City, Mo. for Spanish- speaking communities;

· identifying air pollutants from truck emissions and othersources at Port Newark in New Brunswick, N.J.;

· ensuring that citizens of Barrow, Alaska have a voice inthe decision making on local oil and gas development projects;

Financial assistance under the environmental justice small grants program is available to all non-profit organizations designated by the IRS or recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located; city, township, county government and their entities; or federally recognized Native American tribal governments. In the 15 years since initiating the environmental justice small grants program, EPA has awarded more than $20 million in funding to assist 1,130 community-based organizations and local and tribal governments. For more information on the grants program

Environmental Justice Conference Newsletter--March 2009

Please take a few moments to review the monthly State of Environmental Justice in America 2009 Conference Newsletter.

This month's issue details the latest plans for the conference, including a Health Disparities Workshop featuring guest speaker Congresswoman Donna M.Christensen, and the new Meet the Agencies event.

Registration information for the conference, to be held at Howard University Schoolof Law in Washington, DC, on May 27, 2009, and the Crystal CityDoubletree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, on May 28 and 29, can be foundin this month's newsletter.

Hat Tip: Leslie Nelson

NEPHC Request For Abstract Reviewers

Attached you will find a 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference Request for Abstract Reviewers. Completed forms should be returned to nephc2009@cdc.gov by April 17, 2009. Please circulate this form to individuals who you think might be interested in participating in abstract review for the conference. I’m grateful for your continued support of the 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference.

The 2009 National Environmental Public Health Conference - Healthy People in a Healthy Environment - will be held in Atlanta, Georgia from October 26-28, 2009

Contact: Adam Brush 770-488-3961

Environmental Justice Included in 2009 Spending Bill

Title II, Environmental Protection Agency, page 491 of the $410 billion Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 (H.R. 1105) states:

"None of the funds made available by this Act may be used in contravention of, or to delay the implementation of, Executive Order No. 12898 of February 11, 1994 (59 Fed. Reg. 7629; relating to Federal actions to address environmental justice in minority populations and low-income
populations)."

H.R. 1105 making omnibus appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009.


Highlights of the spending bill funding 11 Cabinet departments for 2009:

Agriculture — $20.5 billion, including a 14 percent boost over 2008 for the popular WIC program that feeds infants and poor women.
Commerce — $9.3 billion, including $3.1 billion to conduct the 2010 Census.

Education — $66.5 billion, a 7 percent increase over 2008 levels.

Energy — $27 billion, including a $765 million, 54 percent hike for advanced energy research.

Health and Human Services — $66.3 billion, including $30.3 billion for health research.

Housing and Urban Development — $41.5 billion, including $24.5 billion for low-income and American Indian housing.

Interior — $10.1 billion, slightly more than 2008.

Justice — $26.1 billion, including a $715 million, 11 percent increase for the FBI.

Labor — $15.3 billion, including a 5 percent increase for employment and training programs.State — $13.1 billion, a 3 percent decrease.

Transportation — $13.5 billion, plus $53.7 billion in highway and other transportation funding financed mostly through gasoline taxes.

Treasury — $12.7 billion, including $428 million over 2008 for the IRS, a 4 percent increase.

Source: The Associated Press

EPA Call For Applications: Smart Growth 2009

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that applications are now being accepted for the eighth annual National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This competition is open to public-sector or private sector applicants that have used the principles of smart growth to create better places. Private-sector applicants are encouraged to submit applications for projects that demonstrate a significant public-private partnership. Smart growth development serves the economy, the community, and the environment.

Smart growth approaches to development create clear environmental benefits, including improved air and water quality, preservation of critical habitat and open space, and more cleanup and re-use of brownfield sites. This year, applications will be accepted in five categories:

· Built Projects

· Policies and Regulations

· Smart Growth and Green Building

· Smart Growth Streets

· Overall Excellence in Smart Growth

Interested parties are encouraged to submit applications for smart growth activities that have shown significant activity between April 23,2004, and April 23, 2009. Successful applicants will have incorporated the principles of smart growth to create places that respect community culture and the environment, foster economic development, and enhance quality of life and public health.

This year, the public sector winners will receive support for further implementing smart growth strategies in their communities. In addition, public sector winners will receive one complementary registration to the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in 2010. Applications are due on April 23, 2009. Up to five winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington, DC in December 2009. For more details about the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement (including an application packet)

DOE Ofc of Legacy Mgmt Announces 3rd EJ Conference

February 19, 2009

From the Office of Legacy Management:

The Third Annual State of Environmental Justice in America Conference will convene May 27–29, 2009, at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Leaders from various sectors will engage in three days of free exchange of new ideas and new approaches to environmental justice. This interactive training session will feature voices of experience, research, discussions, and thought-provoking dialogue. The program format will feature needs and challenges of communities, governments, municipalities, tribes, faith-based organizations, and others with an interest in environmental matters and environmental justice. Conference participants will realize informative and productive resources that can support their individual program goals and objectives.

We have invited all members of the Obama administration and Congress who have environmental justice as a portion of their responsibilities, and expect a number of them to participate in the conference.Our specific areas of interest this year are climate change, community benefits and youth involvement. We expect to explore the challenges facing socioeconomically vulnerable communities (including people of color, low-income neighborhoods, and tribal communities) and make recommendations for building resilience to the impactsof climate change. We expect to explore various aspects of environmental activities including supplemental environmental projects and community benefit agreements to discuss how socioeconomically vulnerable communities can use these tools to the greatest degree possible.

We expect to review various youth environmental activities and examine means to increase opportunities for youth involvement to greater degrees and broader venues. All in all, this conference holds great promise for discussion, debate andgrowth in environmental justice.We invite your participation in the conference. Opportunities still exist for new andinnovative ideas and approaches. This conference presents a great opportunity to freely discuss environmental justice concepts with members of Congress and the Obama administration.

Additional conference information or

Contact the Conference Coordinator, John Rosenthall

Sincerely,

David W. Geiser
Deputy Director
Office of Legacy Management

Environmental Justice at EPA - Transition Paper

The Environmetnal Justice Executive Steering Committee issued the "Environmental Justice at EPA- Transition Paper," on January 23, 2009.

EPA’s EJ program seeks to fully mobilize internal and external resources (programmatic, financial, statutory, and regulatory) to:

Achieve Measurable Environmental and/or Public Health Results in Communities with Greatest Need

Every EPA region and program office has committed to integrate EJ into its daily work through biennial “EJ Action Plans.” Support is needed to increase the Agency’s EJ integration efforts by:

• Ensuring significant measurable EJ results from every program and regional office;

• Affirming EJ program review efforts and direct all offices to continue them;

• Overcoming scientific and other barriers to incorporating EJ in decisionmaking; and

• More consistently incorporating EJ when EPA sets priorities, allocates resources, targets activities, and measures progress.

Climate Change and Green Economy

EJ should align its environmental goals (e.g., reducing greenhousegas and particulate emissions) with social and economic goals (e.g.,eliminating health disparities and creating jobs through the new green economy). EPA should address the disproportionate impacts of climate change and ensure that environmentally and economically distressed communities benefit from the building of a green economy. For example, EPA can:

• Develop partnerships with communities and states to showcase effective strategies, involving multiple agencies; governments, and stakeholders, to improve the environment, public health, andeconomies of disadvantaged communities, with a particular focus on creating green jobs; and

• Ensure EJ considerations are reflected when EPA develops climate change policies and regulations.

Action in the First 100 days:

Promote the creation of green jobs in economically distressed communities. Disadvantaged communities will benefit from constructing accessible mass transit; making homes, public buildings, and vehicles more energy efficient; implementing renewable energy projects; and other “green”infrastructure improvements.

Action in the First 100 days:

Issue a clear statement of the new Administration’s explicit, unambiguous and formal commitment to EJ. Encourage fulluse of EPA’s existing statutory and regulatory authorities to address disproportionate and cumulative impacts in areas of EJ concerns. Also commit to explore new scientific research and regulatory or statutory changes that are needed to better address these impacts of climate change and ensure that environmentally and economically distressed communities benefit from the building of a green economy. For example, EPA can:

• Develop partnerships with communities and states to showcase effective strategies, involving multiple agencies; governments, and stakeholders, to improve the environment, public health, and economies of disadvantaged communities, with a particular focus on creating green jobs; and
• Ensure EJ considerations are reflected when EPA develops climate change policies and regulations. Geographic InitiativesEPA should use its resources and leverage funding from otheragencies to increase focus on disadvantaged communities that aresuffering the worst environmental burdens. These EJ “Showcase Communities” would provide replicable examples to create green jobs, rebuild infrastructure, reduce environmental and public health problems, and revitalize communities.

EPA Administrator Jackson Speaks At NY EJ Conference

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson spoke at the West Harlem Environmental Action (WE ACT) environmental justice conference in New York on Friday. Administrator Jackson gave her speech at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center Campus in Manhattan.

Ms. Jackson said:

“I wanted this to be my first appearance because I’m an African-American woman and an environmentalist and we have similar backgrounds. This was very meaningful to me.”

Lisa Jackson was confirmed exactely one week ago by the U.S. Senate. A large audience gave her a standing ovation at Fordham.

(The New York Times, 1/30/09)

AAEA Establishes Robert J. Knox Research Institute

The Robert J. Knox Research Institute (RJK) has been established as a project of the African American Environmentalist Association to continue the work that was diligently pursued by its namesake. The RJK Research Institute will publish research papers and other documents that address issues of faith and environmental justice. Mr. Knox was passionate about environmental justice issues and he was very deliberate in working on faith-based initiatives during his career. We are combining his twin interests and hope that researchers will publish thought provoking papers that will be published in a tome entitled "Faith and Environmental Justice."Bob Knox was a friend and inspiration to AAEA as he was to many other institutions and people all over the country.

Mr. Knox was the consummate professional while serving as Associate Director of the Office of Environmental Justice at the Headquarters of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He was the EPA representative at the White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conferences.Mr. Knox made everyone feel welcome at EPA and although he will be missed, we have established the RJK Research Institute to provide a vehicle to complement his unique insights and intelligence. Bob did not pursue the spotlight or even credit for his many accomplishments, but he was a dynamic force and a true hero. As a member of AAEA, Bob will always serve as an example for all of our members, staff and volunteers. Bob may not be with us anymore, but his spirit will live on through the research others will submit to the institute for publication.

Papers will be published and distributed for others to read. If you would like to submit a paper on Faith and Environmental Justice, please contact us by clicking on the link below:

The Robert J. Knox Research Institute

Faith & Environmental Justice

Submit Paper

Special thank you to Mr. Knox's widow, Betty Knox for granting AAEA permission to establish the Robert J. Knox Research Institute.

Kent Benjamin To Be Associate Director of EPA OEJ

Beginning in January 2009, EPA's Kent Benjamin will be moving permanently to the Office of Environmental Justice to serve as the Associate Director.

EPA OEJ Director Requests All Federal Agencies To Support 2009 EJ Conference

December 3, 2008

MEMORANDUM,

To: Members, Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG)

From: Charles Lee, Director /Signed
USEPA, Office of Environmental Justice

Subject: Federal Agency Support and Participation in the State of Environmental Justice in America 2009 Conference

The second annual State of Environmental Justice (EJ) in America Conference (Conference), held on May 21-24, 2008, at Howard University, was a resounding success. More than 300 people, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) senior management, participated in the Conference. I would like to recognize and thank the managers and staffs of the sponsoring agencies: Department of Agriculture, Department of Energy, and our sister offices at the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Third Annual State of Environmental Justice in America Conference 2009 is fast approaching. The planning stages are underway for the Conference, which is scheduled for May 28-29, 2009, at the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City, VA. EPA and DOE are planning to enter into co-sponsorship agreements with EJ Conference, Inc., a non-profit organization that represents non-federal stakeholders for the conference. EJ Conference, Inc. hosted the 2008 conference.

As you know, the IWG, and its Federal agency members, have been a major supporter of the Conference. The success of the two previous EJ in America Conferences can be attributed, in large part, to the support of Federal agencies. Financial support from the agencies helped pay for travel scholarships for community-based organization, the conference facilities, and contractor support.

With so much regional and national interest in EJ, we anticipate, and see a need for, additional Federal agency support for the 2009 Conference. We expect more community organizations to want to participate, in order to identify opportunities for collaboration with Federal agencies, particularly during the Federal agencies Listening Sessions planned for the Conference.

As a result, we ask that each department or agency consider an early commitment to support and participate in the 2009 Conference. This support may take the form of financial assistance to EJ Conference, Inc. If your agency has authority to provide funding to EJ Conference, Inc, and decides to do so, please contact John Rosenthall, President of EJ Conference, Inc. at (703) 624-2257 or email John Rosenthal.

If your agency has questions about other forms of Federal support please contact either Melinda Downing (, DOE EJ Program Manager, (202) 586-7703, or Danny Gogal, IWG Program Manager (202) 564-2576 for additional information.

1. Executive Order 12898 established the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice to help coordinate environmental justice planning among agencies. The mission of this group includes fostering collaborative projects among agencies and environmental justice communities.

Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Campaign against Climate Change presents:

NATIONAL MARCH FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE 2008

Date: Saturday 6th December 2008

Time: 12 - 4pm

Start Venue: Grosvenor Square, London, UK

Speakers at the march will include: George Monbiot (Honorary President, Campaign against Climate Change); Michael Meacher MP(ex-environment minister); Mark Dowd (Operation Noah) Muzammal Hussain (London Islamic Network for the Environment - LINE) Nick Clegg MP (leader, Liberal Democrat Party), Caroline Lucas MEP (leader, Green party) and others.

This march is expected to draw thousands and is part of a series of demonstrations taking place throughout the world. The March on Parliament for the Climate marks the Saturday midway through the UN Climate Talks in Poznan, Poland. We make our demands on the UK government, in solidarity with the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities that will suffer worst and most immediately from climate change, caused overwhelmingly by the rich long-industrialised countries. For more information please visit: http://www.campaigncc.org/

USDA Rural Development Staff EJ Guidance

The purpose of the USDA Rural Development Administrative Notice (AN) is to clarify the procedures used in complying with Executive Order (EO) 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, issued February 11, 1994, RD Instruction 7 CFR Part 1940-G and RUS 7 CFR Part 1794. This AN also clarifies the relationship and use of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in implementing EO 12898.

FULL DOCUMENT

Environmental Justice (EJ) principles will be incorporated into Rural Development programs, activities, and services through existing requirements, primarily NEPA and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Rural Development, to the greatest extent practicable, will consider environmental justice principles in its decision-making using its existing NEPA environmental review and Civil Rights Impact Analysis processes.

It is Rural Development policy to actively administer and monitor its decision-making process to ensure that nondiscrimination is an integral part of its programs, activities, and services. Rural Development programs, activities, and services that have the potential for a disproportionately high and adverse effect on human health or the environment should include explicit consideration of their effects on minority and low-income populations. Procedures are necessary to provide meaningful opportunities for public involvement by members of minority and low-income populations during the development of environmental review documents that include identification of potential effects, alternatives (if necessary), and mitigation measures to reduce any disproportionate effect on minority and low-income populations.