VA Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice (EJ) is 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 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) integrates EJ into its mission by ensuring that it identifies and addresses programs, policies, and activities with the potential for disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority, low-income, or tribal populations.
On February 11, 1994, the President signed Executive Order (EO) 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority and Low-Income Populations. On August 4, 2011, VA and 16 other Federal agencies signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice and EO 12898 (EJ MOU). Combined, EO 12898 and the EJ MOU (EJ MOU/EO 12898):
VA’s Environmental Justice Strategy was available for public review and comment until January 21, 2012. All comments received were incorporated and the document was finalized. Final documents are listed below.