Posted: August 18th, 2005

The Center for Law in the Public Interest has submitted public comments regarding the EPA’s “Framework for Integrating Environmental Justice,” and “Environmental Justice Strategic Plan Outline” (Strategic Plan).

EPA must explicitly consider the impact of environmental laws, regulations, and policies on people of color and low income communities. EPA cannot legitimately ignore race, ethnicity, color, national origin or income.

The EPA’s Strategic Plan defines environmental justice as the “fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

The appropriate approach is found in the California statutory definition of environmental justice: “’[E]nvironmental justice means the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

The evidence in the Center’s letter overwhelming demonstrates the need for EPA to explicitly consider the impact of environmental laws, regulations, and policies on people of color and low income communities.