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Newsletter
Summer 2005
EPA Must Consider Race in Environmental Justice Strategic Plan
 The
federal Environmental Protection Agency has proposed eliminating
the consideration of race and ethnicity in environmental justice
matters in the EPA’s “Framework for Integrating Environmental
Justice,” and “Environmental Justice Strategic Plan
Outline” (Strategic Plan). 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
concern lies in the word regardless. The field of environmental
justice is based on the fact that people of color and the
poor are more affected by environmental problems than others. The
appropriate approach is found in the California statutory definition
of environmental justice: “Environmental 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 EPA must explicitly consider the impact of environmental laws, regulations,
and policies on people of color and low income communities. The EPA cannot legitimately
ignore race, ethnicity, color, national origin or income. The City Project’s
public comments overwhelming demonstrate the need for the EPA to consider the
impact of environmental laws, regulations, and policies on people of color and
low income communities. Public comments can be found at www.cityprojectca.org/blog/wp-content/PublicCommentsEPAEJ.pdf.
In response to public outcry, the EPA has agreed to hold local public hearings
on its plans. Visit The City Project’s website at www.cityprojectca.org for regular
updates.
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