Action Alert: Comment on Environmental Justice Strategic Plan

Submitted by Dee Huie - Legislative Committee Member

Subject: EJ Strategic Plan Comments

Dear Director Barry E. Hill: 

I am very concerned about the EPA's draft Environmental Justice Strategic Plan and the agency's approach to giving the public an opportunity to comment on the plan.

Communities of color and low-income neighborhoods face disproportionately high levels of air and water pollution and exposure to toxic waste and other health hazards. EPA is required by the 1994 Executive Order on Environmental Justice and by the nation's longstanding civil rights laws to take specific steps to fix this problem and end such discrimination.

Unfortunately, the draft Strategic Plan ignores this problem. Specifically, the plan says that "environmental justice is for everyone." While this may be a noble goal, it cannot be achieved until EPA identifies the low-income and minority communities that are currently being exposed to unfairly high levels of air pollution, unsafe drinking water, or toxic waste.

EPA also cannot fix this problem unless it takes into account the concerns of the public, especially the people living in minority and low-income communities.

For these reasons, I am opposed to EPA's draft Strategic Plan on Environmental Justice. Please extend the public comment period for at least a few months, hold public hearings where needed, and develop a plan that complies with the Executive Order and our nation's civil rights laws.

Sincerely,