Environmental Justice Resources
Below are a variety of resources that provide environmental
and technical information and/or assistance.
 State of New Jersey Environmental Resources
With 566 municipalities, New Jersey is the most densely-populated
state in the United States. From the beaches of Atlantic City to
the views from Liberty State Park, New Jersey offers an array of
natural resources. For more information about New Jersey State
environmental resources go to: http://www.nj.gov/Environment.html
Department
of Environmental Protection
Department
of Environmental Protection - Open Public Records Act
Access DEP’s Online Reports using INFOVIEW. Before making
an OPRA request, search a comprehensive listing of dynamic,
up-to-date environmental data, including Air Quality Permitting
and Reporting,
Compliance and Enforcements Actions, Inspections and Violations,
Complaints and Incident Reports and Pesticides reports.
New Jersey Department of Health - Right
to Know Program
The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act, which became
law in 1983, requires public and private employers to provide information
about hazardous substances at their workplaces. The program gives
employees information about what hazardous substances are located
at their workplace and how to work with these hazardous substances
safely; helps emergency response personnel to adequately plan for
and respond to hazardous substance incidents such as fires, explosions
or spills; and provides data for monitoring and tracking hazardous
substances in the workplace and the environment.
New Jersey Clean Communities Council
New Jersey Clean Communities is a grassroots, community-driven
effort to keep the garden state clean. In July 2003 municipalities
across the state received a share of some $9.5 million to implement
litter abatement programs. Local and county officials and clean
community coordinators will be implementing programs to make beautify
communities.
Department
of Transportation - Community Programs
Working with local people and addressing sensitive environmental
and social issues early in the development of transportation
improvements is the centerpiece of NJDOT's Context Sensitive
Design process. DOT’s Community Programs include Public
Meetings, Adopt-A-Highway, Local Aid and Economic Development,
Transit Village Initiatives, Workforce.
Department
of Transportation’s -
Our Projects and the Environment
Transportation initiatives often impact on the environment. To
complete transportation projects, New Jersey Department of Transportation
must often obtain various federal, state and regional permits.
>>Back
to top
Smart Growth & Environmental
Justice
White Paper: "Race,
Equity and Smart Growth: Why People of Color Must Speak for
Themselves," by
Robert D. Bullard, Ph.D.; Glenn S. Johnson, Ph.D.; Angel O.
Torres, M.C.P.
New Jersey Smart Growth Implementation:
State
Planning Commission
Plan Endorsement
Plan Endorsement encourages municipalities to engage in cooperative
regional planning. It ensures that municipal, county, regional
and State Agency plans are consistent with the State Development
and Redevelopment Plan and with each other. An endorsed plan
entitles municipalities and counties to a higher priority for
available funding, streamlined permit reviews, and coordinated
state agency services. Priority is given to county and regional
strategic plans.
>>Back
to top
Towards Cumulative Risk Assessment
EPA
Cumulative Assessment Information
This website offers presentations made during the EPA “Mid-Atlantic Cumulative
Risk Workshop” held on May 28-29, 2003. The workshop’s theme was “How
Can Cumulative Risk Assessment be Used to Achieve Environmental Justice?” Attendees
included Public Health Experts, Scientists, Environmental Justice Advocates,
and Government Officials. Discussion focused on: defining cumulative Risk and
the intersections between cumulative risk and public health.
Risk World
A listing of databases regarding
risk assessment, analysis, and management
A
List of Risk Assessment Values References (Scorecard)
>>Back
to top
United States Environmental Protection Agency
USEPA
- Office of Environmental Justice
The Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) provides a central point
for the Agency to address environmental and human health concerns
in minority communities and/or low-income communities--a segment
of the population which has been disproportionately exposed to
environmental harms and risks. OEJ works to address this issue
through a number of initiatives that emphasize building both
external and internal networks. OEJ works within EPA to ensure
that the Agency considers environmental justice issues by working
with individual program offices and with the regions. This website
that offers access to federal environmental justice information,
including grants, community intern program, interagency working
group, national environmental justice advisory council (NEJAC).
|
EPA Regional Environmental Justice Offices |
EPA Region 1
Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont & 10 Tribal Nations |
EPA Region 6
Serving Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico,
Texas and 66 Tribes |
EPA Region 2
Serving New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, US
Virgin Islands and 7 Tribal Nations |
EPA Region 7
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and 9 Tribal Nations |
EPA Region 3
Serving Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia |
EPA Region 8
Serving Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 27 Tribal Nations |
EPA Region 4
Serving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee EPA |
Region 9
Serving Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, the
Pacific Islands, and over 140 Tribal Nations |
EPA Region 5
Serving Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and
35 Tribes |
EPA Region 10
Serving the people of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon,
Washington and Native Tribes |
Find an EPA Regional Environmental Justice Contact
EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
(OECA)
EPA Community Intern Program
More than 1,900 students from all parts of the U.S., from varied
ethnic backgrounds, and all academic levels (undergraduate, graduate
and doctoral) have participated in the EPA Community Intern Program
and trained on challenging science, engineering, management,
education and policy-related projects. Several of these students
come from historically black colleges, Hispanic serving institutions,
Asian serving institutions, and tribal colleges.
EPA Listserves
This site offers a list of e-mail listserves regarding various
areas of environmental concern.
EPA Resources for Non-Profit Organizations
>>Back
to top
New Jersey Environmental Organizations
The New Jersey Environmental Federation (NJEF)
The New Jersey Environmental Federation (NJEF or Federation) is
a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization fighting to protect natural
resources and clean up pollution in New Jersey. With 70,000 individual
membes and 100 member groups, NJEF is the New Jersey chapter
of Clean Water Action, a 30 year old national organization based
in Washington, DC, and dedicated to organizing citizen efforts
to protect the environment.
New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG)
New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG) is one of the
state's leading public interest advocacy organization with 20,000
members. The organization provides reports, facts sheets, press
releases and other advocacy tools to explore environmental issues
in New Jersey.
New Jersey Work Environment Council
The New Jersey Work Environment Council (WEC) advocates for safe,
secure jobs and a healthy, sustainable environment. To achieve
these goals, WEC is organizing an alliance of working people,
unions, environmental and community organizations. WEC provides
technical assistance and training. WEC also supports and conducts
grassroots organizing and political action campaigns.
Partners for Environmental Quality (PEQ)
Partners for Environmental Quality (PEQ) is an interfaith environmental
coalition which seeks to educate, advocate and mobilize the New
Jersey faith community on behalf of environmental stewardship
and justice.
Founded following the 1992 UN Earth Summit and incorporated as
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with an interfaith board, PEQ
helps congregations address issues of environmental stewardship
and justice in their worship, education, outreach and facilities
management. PEQ is the oldest statewide interfaith environmental
coalition in the US.
>>Back
to top
Other Organizations
Children’s
Environmental Health Network
The Children's Environmental Health Network is a national, multi-disciplinary
organization, whose mission is to protect the fetus and child
from environmental health hazards and promote a healthy environment.
New Jersey Sierra Club
With about 20,000 members, the New Jersey Chapter is the 10th largest
of the 65 chapters in the USA, Canada and Mexico. We have two full-time
professional staff in our Trenton office, and ten Local Groups
which hold monthly meetings in various locations throughout the
State.
The Sierra Club is a national, member-supported environmental organization,
which seeks to influence public policy in both Washington and the
state capitals through public education and grass-roots political
action.
Our members and professional staff engage in (1) Lobbying - for
and against legislation at federal, state and local levels; (2)
Outings for the appreciation of wilderness - locally, nationally
and internationally, on foot, by canoe, on skis, by bicycle, etc.,
(3) Campaign support for legislative candidates pledged to defend
our interests, (4) Social interaction at monthly, local Group meetings,
and (5) Lawsuits, where necessary.
Read more: The Sierra Club Policy on Environmental Justice
EnviroLink
EnviroLink is a non-profit organization is a grassroots online
community that unites hundreds of organizations and volunteers
around the world with millions of people in more than 150 countries.
EnviroLink provides comprehensive, up-to-date environmental information
and news to promote a sustainable society by connecting individuals
and organizations through communications technologies. We recognize
that our technologies are just tools, and that the solutions to
our ecological challenges lie within our communities and their
connection to the Earth itself.
Environmental Defense
Environmental Defense is a leading national nonprofit organization
representing more than 300,000 members. Since 1967, we have linked
science, economics and law to create innovative, equitable and
cost-effective solutions to society's most urgent environmental
problems.
A generation ago, Environmental Defense helped launch the modern
environmental movement by winning a ban on the pesticide DDT, thus
showing how a handful of individuals can use science and the law
to bring about national reform. Since then, we have grown into
one of America's most influential environmental advocacy groups,
with more Ph.D. scientists and economists on staff than at any
other such organization.
National Hispanic Environmental Council
The National Hispanic Environmental Council (NHEC) is a national,
non-profit, membership-based organization founded in 1995.
NHEC seeks to educate, unite, and engage our community on
environmental
and sustainable development issues; encourage Hispanics to
actively work to preserve and protect our environment; provide
a national
voice for Hispanics before federal, state, and non-profit
environmental decision-makers; and actively assist Hispanics
to pursue the
many career, business, educational, and policy opportunities
in the environment and natural resources field. We develop
programs—in
partnership with the environmental movement—that accomplish
this mission, and furthers our guiding credo: “because
it’s our environment too.”
StEPP Foundation
StEPP Foundation provides services to help states identify energy
efficiency and pollution prevention projects. StEPP helps review
and recommend appropriate projects and contracting for project
implementation. StEPP also escrows the funds allocated to that
project, provides project oversight, and assesses and reports
measurable project outcomes.
The process is designed to be a one stop shop for government entities,
foundations, corporations and non profit organizations looking
for viable environmental projects to fund. StEPP operates a national
database of environmental projects ideas, the StEPP Project Pipeline,
which can assist states with the selection of prescreened novel
projects that can maximize the environmental benefits of activities
including those conducted as part of a negotiated regulatory settlement.
For more information on the StEPP Foundation, call: 303-277-0932
or e-mail: Ellen.Drew@steppfoundation.org
National Brownfield Association
The National Brownfield Association, established in June,1999,
is a 50l (c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to stimulating
responsible redevelopment of brownfields by providing information
resources, educational programs and a forum for members to
exchange ideas. We are the only national association dedicated
to supporting
brownfield professionals. We are the "go to" source
for information on the brownfield market. Our strength is our
diverse
membership, which comes from both the public and private sectors.
Pew Oceans Commission
On June 5, 2003, in a report, urged Bush Administration to
consolidate government agencies to provide a central means
of regulating ocean
protection and administering laws. Maritime harms include coastal
building, polluted runoff and destructive fishing practices.
The commission interviewed coastal community dwellers for two
years
and recommends the creation of “regional ecosystem councils”.
These councils would be able to create enforceable environmental
protection plans tailored to individual communities.
Northeast States Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM)
NESCAUM is an interstate association of air quality control divisions
in the Northeast states. The eight member states are comprised
of the six New England States, as well as New York and New Jersey.
NESCAUM's purpose is to exchange technical information, and to
promote cooperation and coordination of technical and policy issues
regarding air quality control among the member states. To accomplish
this, NESCAUM sponsors air quality training programs, participates
in national debates, assists in exchange of information, and promotes
research initiatives.
>>Back
to top
Environmental Online Data & Mapping
Tools
DEP’s
i-MapNJ
i-MapNJ is an online, interactive mapping tool that provides
neighborhood-, county- and state-level environmental information.
With this unique
application, homeowners can find out what’s in their
backyard; and environmental organizations, planners, and builders
can identify
open space, various regulatory boundaries, sensitive lands,
watersheds, and much, much more.
i-MapNJ enables users to view and perform basic Geographic Information
System
(GIS) analyses on regulated sites in New Jersey from data residing
in NJDEP's New Jersey Environmental Management System (NJEMS).
Environmental Defense Scorecard
Environmental Defense Scorecard, produced by Environmental Defense,
is the ultimate source for free and easily accessible local environmental
information. Simply type in a zip code to learn about environmental
issues in your community. Scorecard ranks and compares the pollution
situation in areas across the US. Scorecard also profiles 6,800
chemicals, making it easy to find out where they are used and
how hazardous they are. Using authoritative scientific and government
data, Scorecard provides the most up-to-date and extensive collection
of environmental information available online. Information is
power - once you learn about an environmental problem, Scorecard
encourages and enables you to take action - you can fax a polluting
company, contact your elected representatives, or volunteer with
environmental organizations working in your community.
EPA: EnviroMapper
With EnviroMapper, environmental justice advocates can access a
wealth of environmental information with the click of a button.
EnviroMapper can map various types of environmental information,
including air releases, drinking water, toxic releases, hazardous
wastes, water discharge permits, and Superfund sites. Select a
geographic area within EnviroMapper and view the different facilities
that are present within that area. Create maps at the national,
state, and county levels, and link them to environmental text reports.
You can even insert dynamically created maps in your own webpages.
EPA: Facility Compliance Records Online
Through the Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) system
residents and businesses can access facility compliance history
online.
National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment
The National-Scale Air Toxics Assessment, which is based on 1996
emissions data, produced results that are useful in understanding
the quality of air and its possible effect on human health nationwide.
The assessment looked at 33 air pollutants (a subset of 32 air
toxics from the Clean Air Act's list of 188 air toxics plus diesel
particulate matter). Specifically, it consisted of 4 steps that
produced nationwide estimates.
EPA Cumulative Assessment Information
This website offers presentations made during the EPA “Mid-Atlantic
Cumulative Risk Workshop” held on May 28-29, 2003. The workshop’s
theme was “How Can Cumulative Risk Assessment be Used to
Achieve Environmental Justice?” Attendees included Public
Health Experts, Scientists, Environmental Justice Advocates,
and Government Officials. Discussion focused on: defining cumulative
Risk and the intersections between cumulative risk and public
health.
>>Back
to top
DEP Reports and Publications
NJDEP
Bulletin
The DEP Bulletin is published on a semi-monthly basis by the New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and contains a
list of construction permit applications recently filed or acted
upon by the DEP. Interested persons can determine the status
of: Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permits, Federal
Consistency Activity permits, Freshwater Wetlands Individual
and Statewide General permits, Open Water Fill permits, Solid
Waste Facility (SWF) permits, Stream Encroachment (SE) permits,
Tidal Wetland permits, Waterfront Development permits, Treatment
Works Approvals (TWAs) and New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NJPDES) permits.
NJDEP Release and Pollution Prevention Report (RPPR)
You must log-in to DEP’s Open Public Records
Act website to access this report. Be sure to following the
instructions
provided.
The New Jersey Release and Pollution Prevention Report (RPPR)
is used by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
to collect information on chemical throughput, multi-media
environmental releases, on-site waste management activities,
off-site transfers, and pollution prevention activities. The
report is required of all facilities that are subject to submission
of the federal Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) reports,
known as Form R. The completed report is due to the DEP by
July 1 of the year following the reporting year. There are
approximately 550 facilities that are currently subject to
this reporting requirement.
NJDEP Fish Consumption Advisories
Since 1982, when research began to show elevated levels of potentially
harmful contaminants in certain fish and crabs in some New Jersey
waters, advisories were adopted to guide citizens on safe consumption
practices.
Since certain fish may contain toxic chemicals, such as polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) from the water they live in and the food they
eat, PCBs build up in the fish and those who consume them. This
website offers a few precautions in consuming fish, particularly
for those who eat fish often.
>>Back
to top
Other Reports, News Information, Publications
NJDEP News Releases
Find out what’s new at the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection.
National Academy of Public Administration
Addressing Community Concerns: How Environmental Justice
Relates to Land Use Planning and Zoning (July 2003)
Addressing Community Concerns: How Environmental Justice Relates
to Land Use Planning and Zoning is the Panel's third report on
environmental justice. It focuses on low-income and people-of-color
communities because it is generally recognized that their residents
are exposed to significantly greater environmental and public health
hazards. The study examines the relationship of planning and zoning
decisions in five localities across the nation where residents
have raised environmental justice concerns: Huntington Park, California;
Austin, Texas; Chester, Pennsylvania; Altgeld Gardens in Chicago,
Illinois; and St. James Parish, Louisiana.
Environmental
Justice & Transportation: A Citizen’s Handbook
Published by the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University
of California Berkeley
Under federal guidelines, environmental justice issues must considered
for projects and opportunities that receive federal funding.
The Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of
California Berkeley recently published “Environmental Justice & Transportation:
A Citizen’s Handbook,” which outlines considerations
for community members involved in transportation decision making
at all levels of government. This handbook also offers a brief
legal history of Environment Justice and information on the
process of transportation planning.
EPA Urban Environment
Program Report-
Agents of Change: Making the Vision A Reality
In urban areas throughout New England, residents are exposed to
a multitude of environmental and public health hazards, ranging
from lead paint poisoning to rats on vacant lots to asthma due
to poor indoor air quality. Cumulatively, the effects of these
hazards on urban residents and high risk populations such as children
and the elderly are compounded by issues including environmental
injustice, economic development, and social ills. Consequently,
urban residents are subject to disproportionate health risks due
to stress on the quality of the air, water, and land.
This report is a detailed five
year report on the UEP program. It includes photos and narrative
documenting the UEP History
and Overview of Program Elements, UEP Community Development
Pyramid,
Measurable Results, Case Studies, and Lessons Learned from community-based
projects and efforts inBoston, Providence, and Hartford from
1995-2000.
The Jersey Sierran
The Jersey Sierran is mailed to all Sierra Club members in
New Jersey. Currently there are approximately 22,000 members.
In
addition, copies are mailed to individuals in the broadcast
and the print media, as well as to the other environmental
groups.
Copies are also often distributed free at shops that sell
camping gear and handed out at tables set up at major "events" such
as Earth Day Festivals and regional festivals. Since the
Sierran contains an extensive list of outings, ads are likely
to be examined
by most serious outdoor enthusiasts in NJ.
NJPIRG News Room
Find information on NJPIRG’s most recent press releases
and publications.
Community
Culture and the Environment: A Guide to Understanding a Sense
of Place (pdf)
Published by the USEPA.
Bibliography of Community-based Environmental Protection Reports
and Publications
Published by the USEPA.
>>Back
to top
Grants and Funding Opportunities
DEP’s
Information Resource Center- Federal Grants Assistance Information
This web page provides links to several US government agencies
that provide assistance for basic science research in the environmental
sciences. Under each listed department, you will find links to
information about grant announcements, programs, rules and regulations,
writing guides, and application forms. For more information about
agencies not listed on this web page, consult The
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, a database of all
available federal assistance programs.
EPA Environmental Education Grants
The Grant Program sponsored by EPA's Office of Environmental Education
supports environmental education projects that enhance the public's
awareness, knowledge, and skills to make informed decisions that
affect environmental quality. Environmental Justice is one of
the major priority categories, and focuses on educating low-income
and culturally diverse populations. Since 1992, EPA has received
between $2 and $3 million in grant funding per year and has awarded
over 2,500 grants. Descriptions of those grants are available
online at this site.
Grants of $25,000 or less in federal funds are awarded in EPA's
ten regional offices, and grants over $25,000 are awarded at
EPA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Proposals are generally due at the beginning of January.
The Alston/Bannerman Fellowship Program
The Alston/Bannerman Program recognizes that working for social
change usually means long hours at low pay, with few tangible
rewards and few escapes from the day-to-day pressures. Without
time to stop and reflect, the pressures can prove overwhelming,
but without resources, it is impossible to take the time. Therefore,
the Fellowship Program gives long-time activists of color the
financial support and freedom to take a break and recharge. Each
year, 10 organizers of color are awarded the Alston/Bannerman
Fellowship. They receive $15,000 to take sabbaticals of three
months or more. The deadline to apply for the 2003 Fellowships
is December 1, 2003.
Download the application online, at: http://www.alstonbannerman.org/application.html
>>Back
to top
Health Information and Reports
New
Jersey Department of Health - Right to Know
Program
The New Jersey Worker and Community Right to Know Act, which became
law in 1983, requires public and private employers to provide information
about hazardous substances at their workplaces. The program gives
employees information about what hazardous substances are located
at their workplace and how to work with these hazardous substances
safely; helps emergency response personnel to adequately plan for
and respond to hazardous substance incidents such as fires, explosions
or spills; and provides data for monitoring and tracking hazardous
substances in the workplace and the environment.
New
Jersey Asthma Program (NJDOH)
New
Jersey childhood lead data for municipalities with populations
greater than 35,000 (NJDOH) (pdf)
CDC Cancer Registry
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a state-specific
cancer database that provides statistics on age-adjusted mortality
rates and number of new cases for lung, colorectaol, breast and
prostate cancers.
National Center for Environmental Health
As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
National Center for Environmental Health, conducts research in
the laboratory and in the field to investigate the effects of
the environment on health. The Center tracks and evaluates environment-related
health problems; aids domestic and international agencies and
organizations in preparing for and responding to natural, technologic,
humanitarian, and terrorism-related environmental emergencies;
works with partners to protect human; offers education and training
for various audiences; and develops new standards and guidelines
to help formulate public policy.
Second National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
Publishing by the National Center for Environmental Health of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Second National
Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals is the second
in a series of publications that provide an ongoing assessment
of the exposure of the U.S. population to environmental chemicals
using biomonitoring. Biomonitoring is the assessment of human
exposure to chemicals by measuring the chemicals or their metabolites
in human specimens such as blood or urine.
Children's Environmental Health Network
Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) is a national
multi-disciplinary organization whose mission is to protect
the fetus and the child from environmental health hazards and
promote
a healthy environment.
Kaiser
Family Foundation’s State Health Facts Online
Kaiser Family Foundation's State Health Facts Online resource
contains the latest state-level data on demographics, health,
and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing,
and state legislation.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR) Resources:
Toxicology "Train the Trainer" Curriculum:
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's (ATSDR) "A
Toxicology Curriculum for Communities Training Manual," offers
educational training tactics to communities affected by hazardous
exposures.
The manual provides information about toxicology to affected
communities and addresses community concerns about chemicals
to which residents may have been exposed. It is also designed
to foster collaboration between toxicology experts and community
members.
The curriculum was developed through a collaboration
of ATSDR's Division of Toxicology, the Institute of Public
Health at Florida A&M University, and community leaders. It provides educational
and training materials for the public and uses a "train
the trainer" format so community members can provide
toxicology training and education sessions to other residents.
"A Toxicology Curriculum for Communities Training Manual" provides
four 60-90 minute training modules for community lectures
or seminars on toxicology topics and issues surrounding environmental
exposures. The modules - Introduction to Toxicology, Routes
of Exposure, Risk Assessment and Survey of Toxic Substances
- are designed to be taught either independently or in combination.
Each module is organized into the following six sections: objectives,
presentation outline, lecture notes, test your knowledge quiz,
activity lab, handouts and visual aids.
To view the training manual online, visit www.atsdr.cdc.gov/training/toxmanual.
It is also available in hard copy and on CD-ROM and can be
obtained from the ATSDR Information Center toll-free at 1-888-422-8737.
Facts
on Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) in Drinking Water (pdf)
The
protection of our nation’s drinking water supply
has been a priority for many years. In fact, a major accomplishment
in public health during this century has been the chlorination
of public drinking water supplies. This practice has greatly
reduced serious illness and death associated with many waterborne
diseases, such as cholera and typhoid. We are often reminded
of the important role that chlorination plays in protecting the
public each time we hear about an outbreak of waterborne disease
resulting from inadequate disinfection. But, as with many issues,
it sometimes becomes necessary to weigh the benefits against
the potential risks. The presence of disinfection by-products
in drinking water supplies, formed when chlorine reacts with
natural organic materials in water, has raised concerns about
the overall safety of chlorination.
Disinfection by-products (DBPs) consist of a wide variety of
chemicals that form when chlorine is added to drinking water
during the treatment process. Chlorine is added to drinking water
for disinfection purposes.
DBPs include: Trihalomethanes (THMs), • Haloacetic
Acids (HAAs),• Haloacetonitriles (HANs), • MX
Of these chemicals, THMs and HAAs are
most often found in chlorinated drinking water. Others, such
as HANs and MX,
are formed in smaller amounts during the chlorination process.
Still other DBPs have not yet been chemically identified.
Some water treatment plants use other types of drinking water
disinfectants, such as ozone, chlorine dioxide, and monochloramine,
usually in combination with chlorine. Each of these disinfectants
produce their own group of by-products during the treatment process.
>>Back
to top
Learning Opportunities and Internship Opportunities
Environmental Leadership Program
The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) promotes leadership
development and training opportunities for professionals who
are new to the environmental field. Annually, ELP selects 25
exceptional individuals to participate in a three-year fellowship
program.
Environmental Careers Organization
Environmental Careers Organization’s (ECO) mission
is to protect and enhance the environment through the development
of
diverse leaders, the promotion of careers, and the inspiration
of individual action. ECO accomplishes this through internships,
career advice, career products, research and consulting.
Founded in 1972, ECO has placed nearly 7,500 college, grad
students and recent graduates in environmental internships
in the public,
private and nonprofit sectors.
EPA Community Intern Program
More than 1,900 students from all parts of the U.S., from varied
ethnic backgrounds, and all academic levels (undergraduate,
graduate and doctoral) have participated in the EPA Community
Intern Program
and trained on challenging science, engineering, management,
education and policy-related projects. Several of these
students come from historically black colleges, Hispanic
serving institutions,
Asian serving institutions, and tribal colleges.
>>Back
to top
Learn
More About Environmental Justice
Love Canal Case
In 1978 in the small town of Love Canal, New York residents
weren’t
aware that there homes stood on land that served as a dumping
ground for cancer-causing dioxin and benzene.
August 2, 2003 marked the 25th anniversary of the evacuation of
residents from the Love Canal neighborhood of Niagara Falls, New
York. New York State Department of Health declared the public health
emergency after residents complained of foul odors, mysterious
substances coming from the ground and high rates of cancer and
birth defects. The Love Canal case spurred Superfund legislation
that would serve as an impetus for the clean-up of thousands of
toxic sites throughout the country.
The Ecumenical Task Force of the Niagara Frontier offers the Love
Canal Collection of information including background, chronology
of events, 1927 and 1980 aerial photos of the historic area.
Environmental Justice Database
The MSU Extension Information Management Program (IMP) is a set
of textual data bases. Some of the databases link to slides or
movie clips. The database includes a searchable list of environmental
justice resources that are accessible on-line.
>>Back
to top
Environmental
Law Information
Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic
The Environmental Law Clinic was founded in 1985. It is the sole
public interest environmental law firm in New Jersey.
With a docket of over 50
matters, approximately 2/3 of which are litigation matters
and 1/3 of which are a combination of policy and administrative
matters, the Clinic provides students with opportunities to
experience advocacy in numerous venues.
The University of Florida Conservation Clinic
The University of Florida Conservation Clinic is an initiative
of the Environmental
and Land Use Law Program at the Fredric
G. Levin College of Law at the University of Florida in Gainesville,
Florida. Housed at the law school's Center
for Governmental Responsibility,
the clinic represents an effort to focus interdisciplinary applied
education on the compelling conservation challenges of our times.
Environmental Clearinghouse
The Environmental Clearinghouse (EC) enables effective public
participation in crucial environmental decisions by connecting
public interest groups with legal and technical experts.
The Environmental Clearinghouse is a project of the Interdisciplinary
Environmental Clinic at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Development of the site is due in part to the generous support
of the Rockefeller Family Fund and technical assistance from
BlueStream Web Development Group.
The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC)
The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) is a Midwest
public interest environmental advocacy organization working
to achieve
cleaner energy resources and implement sustainable energy
strategies, promote innovative and efficient transportation
and land use
approaches that produce cleaner air and more jobs, and develop
sound environmental management practices that conserve natural
resources and improve the quality of life in our communities.
One of ELPC’s premises is that environmental progress
and economic development can be achieved together. Our projects
around
the Midwest put that policy belief into practice.
ELPC’s multidisciplinary staff of 16 public interest attorneys,
M.B.A. financial analysts, public policy advocates and communications
specialists bring a strong and effective combination of skills
to solve environmental problems. We are "public interest
environmental entrepreneurs," identifying opportunities
to improve environmental quality in the Midwest and then
working actively to develop and achieve the potential benefits.
Our Midwest
High-Speed Rail Network and Recycled Paper Coalition projects
exemplify this approach. We also provide key legal and
technical resources to local environmental groups through
a combination
of legal representation, economic analysis and public policy
research.
ELPC was founded in 1993 after a year-long strategic planning process sponsored by seven major foundations.
>>Back
to top
Public Involvement Tools
US Environmental Protection Agency Public Involvement
Provides a host of resources to help in efforts to create meaningful opportunities
for public involvement.
- Environmental Law Institute
http://www.eli.org
Published “A Citizen’s Guide to Using Federal Environmental
Laws to Secure Environmental Justice”
>>Back
to top
|
