News Release: Oregon Environmental Justice Task Force recognized by EPA

Oregon Environmental Justice Task Force recognized by EPA EPA also awards $50,000 Environmental Justice Grants to community-based organizations in Oregon (Seattle – Dec. 16, 2011) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Dennis McLerran today presented an award for outstanding work to further environmental justice to the Oregon Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF). EJTF is being recognized for their effective implementation of Oregon State legislation and Task Force initiatives which incorporate environmental justice considerations into State agencies’ programs. Other significant milestones include: The creation of a “Your voice for Environmental Justice” document outlining citizens’ rights to be involved in decisions that affect their quality of life Organizing a community event to introduce the Task Force and its work to the public Partnership with community-based groups to develop demographic maps of statewide environmental justice communities EJTF was created by the Oregon legislature to help protect minority and low-income Oregonians from disproportionate environmental impacts. The Task Force role is to advise the Governor about environmental justice issues, and to help the Governor’s office and state natural resource agencies identify and address environmental justice throughout the State. “EPA is pleased to recognize Oregon’s EJ Task Force for its ability to incorporate environmental justice considerations into State agencies’ programs,” said Dennis McLerran, EPA’s Regional Administrator in Seattle. “Bringing communities and State agencies together when making decisions that affect their quality of life can only help our most overburdened communities to become healthier, and more sustainable.” EPA will also be awarding $25,000 Environmental Justice Grants to two community-based organizations in Oregon as part of the agency’s Environmental Justice Small Grant Program. These grants will assist communities to address environmental and public health issues at the local level. The recipients are: Oregon Recipient: Beyond Toxics - $25,000 Project: The EJ in West Eugene: Families, Health and Air Pollution Project Location: Eugene, OR Issue: Air Quality The “Families, Health and Air Pollution Project” seeks to reduce the asthma risk among West Eugene School District children. This project will conduct community health research of West Eugene, Oregon. The projects goals are to perform GIS mapping and conduct a toxic tour of the affected community area. Beyond Toxics will work to address the problems of disproportionate pollution exposure and poor health outcomes for children in low-income neighborhoods of the West Eugene School District and educate the community on asthma risk reduction. Beyond Toxics contact: Lisa Arkin, 541-465-8860 Email: larkin@BeyondToxics.org Website: www.BeyondToxics.org Recipient: Josiah Hill III Clinic - $25,000 Project: Green Steward Project Location: Portland, OR Issue: Toxic substances, Air Quality The “Green Steward Project” will train faith based congregations to reduce exposure to toxics chemicals and indoor air pollutants. The project will train 120 congregants to reduce human environmental exposure to toxic chemicals and indoor air pollutants. Josiah Hill III Clinic will work with the congregations to deliver workshops and green cleaning parties to raise awareness of toxic chemicals and human health impacts. The Clinic will conduct blood screening clinics at each congregation and educate on lead poisoning and environmental hazards for young children. Josiah Hill III Clinic contact: Charles A. McGee, 503-334-9694 Email: charles@jhillclinic.org Website: http://www.jhillclinic.org/ Nationally, EPA awarded 46 grants totaling more than $1 million to address environmental justice issues and concerns in communities throughout the United States. For additional information about EJTF, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/Gov/GNRO/environmental_justice.shtml For additional information about EJ award program, visit: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/ej/awards/index.html EPA’s national news release on EJ Grants, visit: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/bd4379a92ceceeac8525735900400c27/5a44fdc15ec2c0aa85257960006459a7!OpenDocument Subscribe to automatically receive Region 10 News Releases via email at: http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=USEPA_C19 You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to elmasry.webmaster@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355