Environmental Justice

The Environmental Justice program, established by Presidential Executive Order 12898, requires Federal agencies to ensure that all environmental policies and the disposal of toxic waste do not adversely impact minority and low-income communities. The common concern is that these communities are exposed to unfair levels of environmental risk arising from multiple sources, often coupled with inadequate government response.

What is Environmental Justice?

The goal of environmental justice is to ensure that all people, regardless of race, national origin or income, are protected from disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards. To be classified as an environmental justice community, residents must be a minority and/or low income group; excluded from the environmental policy setting and/or decision-making process; subject to a disproportionate impact from one or more environmental hazards; and experience a disparate implementation of environmental regulations, requirements, practices and activities in their communities. program, established by Presidential Executive Order 12898, requires Federal agencies to ensure that all environmental policies and the disposal of toxic waste do not adversely impact minority and low-income communities. The common concern is that these communities are exposed to unfair levels of environmental risk arising from multiple sources, often coupled with inadequate government response.