EJ Initiatives & Achievements
Supplemental Environmental Projects TRI and EJ Communities' Projects |
Diesel Truck Anti-Idling Campaign Pueblo County, Colorado Projects
|
Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) | |
A Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) is part of an enforcement settlement connected with the violation of an environmental statutory or regulatory requirement. As part of the enforcement settlement, a violator voluntarily agrees to undertake an environmentally beneficial project in exchange for a reduction in the penalty. A SEP furthers EPA's goal of protecting and enhancing the public health and the environment, and does not include the activities a violator must take to return to compliance with the law. For more information on SEPs, contact Michael Wenstrom, 303-312-7009.
|
|
TRI and EJ Communities' Projects | |
This project examines whether releases reported through the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) are located in low-income and minority communities. In this study, we combine data about toxic releases with federal census data to examine patterns of differential proximity to industrial toxics. The goal is to identify "potential" environmental justice communities associated with TRI regulated facilities, and to identify and present existing environmental pollution conditions that may raise environmental justice issues. Region 8 has oversight of six states, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, which are the study area for this project. For more information on TRI and EJ Communities' Projects, contact Tami Thomas-Burton, 303-312-6581. |
|
Brownfields | |
EPA defines brownfields as real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Environmental justice is becoming an increasingly important component of brownfields redevelopment. Since Brownfields are generally concentrated in communities of color and other low-income areas, stakeholder involvement in such projects is inherently an environmental justice issue. As cities become aware of the effect that abandoned industrial sites have had on the residential communities in which they are located, brownfields redevelopment offers the city and the community a chance to reverse patterns of neglect in inner city neighborhoods. |
|
Lead Poisoning Prevention Projects | |
The EPA has regulatory authority to enforce lead rules related to remodeling practices, hazard abatement and disclosure of lead hazards. In addition to these enforcement activities, the EPA lead program carries out community outreach and education activities. Along with other federal, state and local agencies, the EPA is committed to the goal of eliminating childhood lead poisoning in Colorado by 2010. The following efforts are underway:
For more information on Lead Projects, contact Nancy Reish, 303-312-6040. |
|
NEPA - EIS Projects | |
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) directs federal agencies to consider in their decision-making the environmental impacts of their actions and to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for major actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The Environmental Justice Executive Order (EO 12898) emphasizes that agencies should use existing laws, such as NEPA, to identify potential environmental justice concerns. As part of the NEPA analysis planning process, special studies are conducted including Environmental Justice, Cultural, Social and environmental analysis. These studies provide the background for preparing the EIS, which form the basis for environmental decision-making. For more information on NEPA-EIS Projects, contact Tami Thomas-Burton, 303-312-6581. |
|
San Luis Valley Drinking Water Well Project | |
In the San Luis Valley where many residents may have private and household wells, it is essential that these wells be properly maintained to issue safe drinking water. The San Luis Valley Well Water Drinking Environmental Initiative is a partnership between the EPA's Environmental Justice Program and local community groups to raise awareness of drinking water well issues as well as provide well water testing, education and information in San Luis Valley communities. For more information on the San Luis valley Well Water Drinking Environmental Initiative, contact Tami Thomas-Burton, 303-312-6581.
Basic Well Information Sheets
|
|
Migrant Farm Workers | |
Farm
worker labor is essential to our economy and well-being. Farm workers plant
and harvest our produce, and put food on our table, often at the expense
of their health and livelihood. They work long hours for low wages, face
high risks of injury, and live under substandard housing conditions.
An area of particular concern to the US EPA is drinking water in migrant farm worker camps. In 1999, very little information was available in Colorado about the status of drinking water sources in farm worker communities, so EPA's Environmental Justice Program initiated the Migrant Farm Worker Drinking Water Project. For more information on Migrant Farm Workers, contact Michael Wenstrom, 303-312-7009.
|
|
Emissions from idling heavy-duty diesel vehicles pose a significant threat to air quality. The anti-idling campaign targets idling that occurs from diesel truck emissions. Idling emissions are particularly significant at locations such as truck stops, travel centers, rest areas, and at warehouse/distribution centers and port terminals where loading and unloading freight require long waiting periods. These locations can experience a very high number of trucks idling together for extended periods of time. These emissions can affect the health of the drivers, truck stop, warehouse, and ports personnel, and the neighboring community. The health concerns in particular become more serious when such locations are located in communities that are already disproportionately impacted by air pollution. For more information on the Diesel Truck Anti-Idling Campaign, contact Tami Thomas-Burton, 303-312-6581.
|
|
Pueblo County, Colorado Projects | |
The Region 8 EJ Program is involved in a number of initiatives relating to environmental issues affecting neighborhoods in Pueblo County, Colorado. For more information on Pueblo County Projects, contact Michael Wenstrom, 303-312-7009.
|
|
Tribal Projects | |
EPA Region 8 includes 27 Federally-recognized Tribal governments located on 26 Indian Reservations. For more information on EJ and Tribal Projects, contact Jean Belille, 303-312-6556.
|
|
Northeast Denver Projects | |
The North Denver Environmental Initiative is a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary project that addresses environmental justice concerns in the northeast Denver metropolitan area. The project is envisioned as a cooperative partnership utilizing federal, state, county and local government authorities to address community concerns proactively regarding potentially harmful environmental consequences of industrial and transportation developments. The goals of the project are to improve coordination and communication between the partner organizations and the communities to address environmental concerns through compliance assistance, enforcement authorities, pollution prevention, and other tools available to the agencies.
|