Environmental Justice (EJ)

Contact Us

Environmental Justice Program Coordinator

Lara Lasky (lasky.lara@epa.gov)
312-353-5614
Fx: 312-385-5538

EJ in your state

EPA works with state EJ contacts and provides EJ training.

National EJ Information

Compliance & Enforcement Data Tools

Environmental Justice in Your Community

Environmental Justice 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.

Region 5 strives to consider Environmental Justice principles in its enforcement, permitting and community-based work. These programs are derived from Plan EJ 2014, a comprehensive national strategy to ensure incorporation of Environmental Justice into all aspects of EPA’s decision-making.

Environmental Justice in Action (PDF) (2pp, 732K) February 2013 fact sheet

Get funding for EJ community initiatives

Environmental Justice Small Grants

In 1994, EPA establishted the EJ Small Grants program to support and empower communities. The following are examples of work done with EJ Small Grants funding.

In Cleveland, Earth Day Coalition educated 42 teachers, 845 students and 408 community members. The coalition restored native plants to four vacant lots (20,000 square feet), and started two school-based nursery plot sites and a garden site.
In Chicago, Little Village Environmental Justice Organization reduced air emissions by weatherizing 100 housing units, and worked with the Chicago Transit Authority to begin a new 12-mile cross-town bus service that will serve 300,000 people living in seven Chicago community areas.
In Ohio, Communities United for Action provided education and outreach to four low-income communities on how to protect families from air toxins in Mill Creek Valley.

Region 5 2013 EJ Small Grant Recipients

Asian Health Coalition - Chicago, IL
Environmental Health Watch - Cleveland, OH
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community - Baraga, MI
Safer Pest Control Project - Chicago, IL

Environmental Justice Small Grants FY2013 summaries by region (PDF) (11 pp, 126K) September 11, 2013

Milwaukee 30th Street Corridor

In Milwaukee's 30th Street Corridor, the state, city, EPA and community groups worked to improve the cumulative effects of pollution and public health issues related to medical care and lack of healthy food.

Conducted 13 tank and facility inspections and seven multi-media investigations to evaluate potential environmental impacts.
Awarded over $2 million in grants to the city and state to assess and clean up 200 sites.
Trained 75 families on blood lead screening, asthma testing, lead paint removal and health home practices
Removed 100 pounds of hazardous chemicals and trained teachers in 90 public schools on safe hazardous material practices.
Trained handymen and contractors to remove lead-based materials safely.

EJ in the permit application process

EPA Regions are implementing plans to explain how they will encourage meaningful engagement of overburdened communities on EPA-issued permits.

EPA Region 5 Regional Implementation Plan to Promote Meaningful Engagement of Overburdened Communities in Permitting Activities (PDF) (5pp, 114K)