Environmental Justice Outreach Grant 1

Abstract Alison Davis Environmental justice outreach grant 1 Parent Grant: EPA-R-OEJECR-OCS-23-03; REGION 4 https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023- 01/EJCPS%20Request%20for%20Applications%202023.pdf Complementing Executive Order 14008, is Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity And Support For Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government, issued on January 20, 2021, which stated that the federal government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality “Environmental justice”, which is the common theme of these two Executive Orders, is defined by the EPA 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. Fair treatment means that no one group of people, including racial, ethnic, or socioeconomic groups, should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal environmental programs and policies. Meaningful involvement means that: • People have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health; • The public''s contribution can influence the regulatory agency''s decision; • Community concerns will be considered in the decision-making process; and • Decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected. The underserved and disadvantaged communities for which these projects are focused on include, as defined by Executive Order 13985, “populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life…”. This includes communities such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; children, the elderly, members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. For purposes of this RFA, “underserved communities” also includes “environmentally overburdened communities” (that is, communities adversely and disproportionately affected by environmental, climate and human health harms and risks including remote, rural, and urban communities), and disadvantaged communities.