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Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice:
Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects
[Federal Register: April 24, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 79)]
[Notices]
[Page 20405-20412]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ap02-164]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-7175-4]
Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice:
Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG)
is soliciting a second round of nominations for collaborative
partnerships working to address local environmental justice concerns.
The following information outlines the goals, guidelines, and
nomination procedures for IWG Environmental Justice/Revitalization
Demonstration Projects.
DATES: Nominations must be submitted to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and postmarked no later than midnight Thursday,
August 16, 2002.
ADDRESSES: For Regional questions:
Region l: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode
Island, Vermont.
Name: Kathy Castagna
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, One Congress Street,
11th Floor, Boston, MA 02203-0001
Phone: 617-918-1429 F: 617-918-1029
e-Mail: castagna.kathy@epa.gov
Region 2: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Name: Terry Wesley
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 26th
Floor, New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-637-5027 F: 212-637-4943
e-Mail: wesley.terry@epa.gov
Region 3: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia
Name: Reginald Harris
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch St. (MC-
3ECOO), Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-814-2988 F: 215-814-2905
e-Mail: harris.reggie@epa.gov
Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Name: Cynthia Peurifoy
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 61 Forsyth Street,
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-562-9649 F: 404-562-9664
e-Mail: peurifoy.cynthia@epa.gov
Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin
Name: Karla Owens
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson Blvd. T-
16J, Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone: 312-886-5993 F: 312-886-2737
E-Mail: owens.karla@epa.gov
Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Name: Olivia R. Balandran
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fountain Place, 12th
Floor., 1445 Ross Ave., (RA-D), Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: 214-665-7257 F: 214-665-6648
E-Mail: balandran.olivia@epa.gov
Region 7: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
Name: Althea Moses
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 901 North 5tth Street
(ECORA), Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7649 F: 913-551-7941
E-Mail: moses.althea@epa.gov
Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
Wyoming
Name: Elisabeth Evans
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 999 18th Street, Suite
500, Denver, CO 80202-2405
Phone: 303-312-6053 F: 303-312-6409
E-Mail: evans.elisabeth@epa.gov
Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam
Name: Willard Chin
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne Street, San
Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-972-3797 F: 415-947-3562
E-Mail: chin.willard@epa.gov
Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Name: Michael Letourneau
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue (CEJ-
163), Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-1687 F: 206-553-7176
E-Mail: letourneau.mike@epa.gov
Name: Victoria Plata
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue (CEJ-
163), Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-8580 F: 206-553-7176
E-Mail: plata.victoria@epa.gov
To submit nominations: Delta Valente, Office of Environmental
Justice, Mail Code 2201A, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Delta Valente, Office of Environmental
Justice, Mail Code 2201A, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue,
Washington, DC 20460, Telephone (202) 564-2594.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: What are the main goals of the IWG
Environmental Justice/Revitalization Demonstration Projects: (1) To
support and encourage better leveraging of existing federal resources
in supporting local efforts to address environmental justice concerns,
(2) To support strong potential partnerships, and (3) To identify the
``best practices'' of effective collaborative partnerships for
communities, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders working on
solutions to environmental justice issues facing communities.
What are the benefits of being designated an IWG Environmental
Justice/Revitalization Demonstration Project: Selection is not
accompanied by any specific funding commitment from any federal agency;
however, selection will bring the project national exposure and
recognition, provide greater access to resources from various
stakeholders, and promote the project as a model for future
collaborative partnerships.
Who may apply to be an IWG Environmental Justice/Revitalization
Demonstration Project: Any organization or group of organizations
involved in collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships to address
local environmental justice concerns. These organizations include
community-based organizations, non-profit organizations, academia,
business and industry, faith-based organizations, and other interested
groups, and all levels of government (federal, state, local or tribal).
Each project must serve a minority, low-income, or tribal community and
address one or more environmental justice concerns. Each project must
include at least two federal agencies and a mix of other stakeholder
partners.
How does one apply to be an IWG Environmental Justice/
Revitalization Demonstration Project: Submit a proposal of
approximately 10 pages in length, describing community based
environmental justice issue(s) and how a project, through a community-
based process that includes a multi-stakeholder partnership will
address them. Proposal should include description of community vision,
implementation approaches and work plan, roles and commitments of
partners, and the project's expected benefits--including its
contribution to community revitalization. Proposals should describe to
what extent the project includes the following elements:
1. Community-based Leadership Formation and Issue
Identification.
2. Capacity- and Partnership-Building in Multi-Stakeholder
Process.
3. Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government.
4. Strategic Planning and Community Vision.
[[Page 20407]]
5. Sound Implementation.
6. Identification of Lesson Learned and Replication of Best
Practices.
How can I get information and/or assistance about preparing a
nomination: Detailed instructions are provided in the IWG Environmental
Justice/Revitalization Demonstration Project Request for Nominations
Announcement (IWGDP-02), available through the EPA Office of
Environmental Justice (OEJ). Federal Agency Environmental Justice
Coordinators and IWG Representatives also can provide assistance.
Information can be obtained from Delta Valente, OEJ, 800-962-6215. The
OEJ Web site is http://www.epa.gov/compliance/recent/ej.html.
Dated: April 17, 2002.
Barry E. Hill,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.
Request for Nominations (April 15, 2002-August 16, 2002)
FY 2002
Identification Number: IWGDP-02
Date of Notification: April 15, 2002
Submission Due Date: August 16, 2002
Contents
I. Introduction: Background and Benefits of Participation
II. Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects Overview
III. Project Technical Considerations
IV. Project Descriptions
V. Selection Process
VI. Program Schedule for 2002
VII. Reporting
Appendix A: Elements of Success for Environmental Justice
Collaborative Model
Appendix B. Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental
Justice (IWG)
Appendix C: Contacts
I. Introduction
The Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice
(IWG) is soliciting a second round of nominations for collaborative
partnerships working to address local environmental justice concerns
and promote community revitalization. This announcement outlines the
purpose, goals, and general procedures and guidelines for nominating
demonstration projects, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2002.
The purpose of the demonstration projects is to examine how
collaborative models can be utilized for achieving environmental
justice and promoting community revitalization. The selected projects
will be designated as IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization
Projects. In FY 2000, the IWG selected 15 collaborative projects.
Selection is not accompanied by any specific funding commitment
from any federal agency; however, selection will bring the project
national exposure and recognition, provide greater access to resources
from various stakeholders, and promote the project as a model for
future collaborative partnerships.
Nominations must be submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and postmarked no later than midnight Friday, August 16,
2002. Nominations may be submitted via the U.S. Postal Service or other
carriers. Nominations must be submitted to:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (MC
2201A), Washington, DC 20460-0001, Attention: Delta Valente, IWG
National Program Manager
Due to possible delays in postal delivery, project narratives also
should be sent to Delta Valente via e-mail (valente.delta@epa.gov) or
fax 202-501-1163. For further information, contact Delta Valente (800-
962-6215) or visit http://www.epa.gov/compliance/recent/ej.html.
A. Background
The IWG is composed of representatives from different federal
agencies and White House offices identified in Executive Order 12898.
(``Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority
Populations and Low-Income Populations,'' February 11, 1994) The IWG's
primary goal is to work with each federal agency to integrate
environmental justice within its programs, policies, and activities. An
important strategy to promote such integration is greater interagency
cooperation and coordination within the context of multi-stakeholder
collaborative partnerships. Interagency coordination and cooperation is
needed to effectively identify available federal government-wide
resources which are available to meet environmental justice
opportunities presented by the stakeholders. Once the available federal
agency resources are identified it is critical to identify all
resources within the various stakeholders that can be partnered with or
enhanced by the collaborative effort. The IWG has focused on three
activities to support such partnerships: (1) Nurturing and promoting
local demonstration projects; (2) promoting a national dialogue on
collaborative models; and (3) identifying the elements of success for
developing a coherent collaborative model.
Since environmental justice concerns are beyond the scope of any
single federal agency, the IWG is working to ensure that federal
agencies effectively coordinate and collaborate to address the range of
issues that environmental justice embodies. At the heart of the IWG's
efforts are demonstration projects, which are intended to serve as
future models for successful environmental justice initiatives. These
projects feature collaborative partnerships among two or more federal
agencies, state and local governments, tribal governments, community-
based organizations, academia, non-governmental organizations, and
business/industry. As a result of the initial round of IWG
demonstration projects, a coherent collaborative problem-solving model
is beginning to emerge. In addition, it became clear that promoting
community revitalization is an underlying goal of virtually all efforts
to address environmental justice. To enhance this model, the EPA, as
chair of the IWG, is coordinating a second round of demonstration
projects to identify additional ``best practices'' for effective
environmental justice collaborative partnerships to promote community
revitalization.
B. Benefits of Participation
What are the benefits of being designated an IWG Environmental Justice
Revitalization Project?
Being designated as an IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization
Project enhances the ability of community-based collaborative efforts
to address environmental justice issues and promote community
revitalization. A project's selection enables local partnerships to
better access technical assistance, resources, and other means of
support. The benefits include the following:
Opportunities for participants (community-based
organizations, academia, business and industry, civic and faith-based
organizations, other interested parties, and all levels of government,
i.e., federal, state, tribal or local) to learn valuable lessons for
addressing and positively impacting complex environmental justice
issues in various communities by pursuing holistic, proactive
strategies;
Opportunities to increase the effective use of federal and
other partner resources in addressing environmental justice and
community revitalization concerns;
Opportunities for community-based organizations to play a
major role in identifying and defining environmental justice issues
affecting the community, and actively participating, from the
beginning, in the creation, design, and
[[Page 20408]]
implementation of a proposal to address that problem;
Opportunities to strengthen community capacity-building
skills and expertise (e.g., effective grant writing and development,
business plan drafting, navigating governments and private
institutions, understanding how to leverage resources, develop
partnerships with greater capacity to address concerns, and improve use
of limited budgets to meet project goals);
Opportunities for a business to move beyond the morass of
controversy over past incidents and problems and to focus proactively
on new, constructive collaborations and partnerships to help improve
the conditions of the communities in which businesses operate
(businesses wishing to join others in understanding community needs and
vision are invited to support their communities' application and be
full participants in the collaborative process); and
Opportunities to leverage resources through the
participation of additional federal partners and the participation and
commitments of other stakeholders (state, tribal and local government
agencies, businesses/industry, foundations, redevelopment and financial
groups).
What Do Current IWG Demonstration Project Participants Have To Say?
``The demonstration project designation elevated the interest of
local government, where as before communities concerns were not on
their radar screen. The federal interest in partnering with our
community, and the federal recognition of our role as a major
stakeholder, ensured our participation in the planning, decision-
making, and implementation process. The federal interest and
recognition secured our place at the table. Through initial support
from federal agencies, funds were leveraged from the private sector to
support project activities.''
Harold Mitchell, Executive Director, ReGenesis, Spartanburg, South
Carolina, February 2002
``Bridges to Friendship (B2F) has benefitted in a number of ways
from serving as a federal demonstration project. We came to the project
with both a story to tell and a partnership to develop. We needed to do
a better job at getting the word out on B2F accomplishments and the
Interagency Work Group on Environmental Justice helped us to do that.
We also wanted to connect with additional federal agencies with
expertise, resources and a common desire to support our town,
Washington DC. As a result of the project we are currently developing a
Memorandum of Understanding to partner with US Department of
Transportation. The most intangible but most important benefit is the
extension of our networks, the connections. A new relationship, or just
a conversation, that would not have otherwise taken place, brings
tremendous value to our effort, our community and the EJ cause. Most
importantly, serving as an EJ demonstration project has helped us in
the most fundamental aspect of collaboration--that of building trust
with our community.''
Rear Admiral Christopher Weaver, Commandant, Naval District Washington,
January 2002
[GRAPHIC]
[TIFF OMITTED]
TN24AP02.022
(English Translation) ``It is great to participate in the project.
It is important that the officials hear directly from the community
residents and learn other points of view. It has been great to have all
of the agencies, organizations and community residents come together,
in the same place.''
Sonia Rodriguez, Barrio Logan Community Resident, San Diego,
California, February 2002
``Rhodia is pleased to be part of the Arkwright demonstration
project in Spartanburg, S.C. The project has helped us to build a
stronger partnership with our community and gain a better understanding
of our neighbors and their concerns. Being actively involved in our
communities is important to us. We look forward to continuing our
participation in the project and supporting community activities in the
Arkwright neighborhood.''
Jim Trafton, Plant Manager, Rhodia Inc., Spartanburg, S.C., March 2002
Environmental Justice Revitalization Projects Overview
A. Purpose of an IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization Project
The purpose of an IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization Project
is to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative models to achieve
environmental justice and promote community revitalization. The
projects selected are intended to demonstrate the ``best practices'' of
comprehensive, collaborative, and integrated problem-solving approaches
to address the range of interrelated environmental, public health,
economic, and social concerns that collectively are known as
environmental justice issues. These projects are based upon voluntary,
local partnerships that build upon a holistic community vision.
Centered in urban, tribal and rural communities across the country, the
demonstration projects focus on improving the quality of life for
minority, low-income, and tribal populations through environmental
protection, economic development, neighborhood revitalization,
community education, public health promotion, and capacity building.
The IWG demonstration projects foster proactive, collaborative
efforts that bring agencies, at all levels of government, to partner
with diverse stakeholders in impacted communities. Together at ``the
table'' for the first time, in some cases, participants: (1) Better
understand each other's perspectives; (2) identify mutual interests and
priorities; and (3) with this broader and shared view, mobilize
existing resources (i.e., social, human, and financial resources) for
the purpose of creating win-win solutions.
[[Page 20409]]
B. Main Goals of an IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization Project
The main goals of the IWG Environmental Justice Revitalization
Projects are: (1) To support and encourage better leveraging of
existing federal resources to support local efforts to address
environmental justice concerns and promote community revitalization,
(2) to support strong potential partnerships, and (3) to identify the
``best practices'' of the effective collaborative partnerships with
communities, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders working on
solutions to environmental justice issues facing communities.
C. Elements of Success for Environmental Justice Collaborative Model
Six major design elements have been identified from the first round
of IWG demonstration projects as key factors to the success of the
environmental justice collaborative model. These are the following:
1. Community-based Leadership Formation and Issue Identification.
2. Capacity- and Partnership-Building in a Multi-Stakeholder
Process.
3. Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government.
4. Strategic Planning and Community Vision.
5. Sound Implementation.
6. Identification of Lessons Learned and Replication of Best
Practices.
A table with examples of these design elements is provided in
Appendix A. These elements are offered as a framework for thinking
about how to describe the proposed project. They provide useful
parameters to identify a potentially successful project. Please note
that no single project is expected to have all these elements.
D. Assistance in Developing Project Nominations
The IWG recognizes that putting together a project proposal for a
multi-stakeholder collaborative partnership capable of addressing the
issues in environmentally and economically distressed communities is
difficult, particularly for community-based organizations with limited
resources. The IWG suggests that project applicants rely on assistance
from federal agencies as well as other potential project partners. In
most cases, such relationships and partnerships already exist, and
potential project applicants should build upon such relationships.
For example, interested parties who have an idea or question as to
how a particular federal agency would fit into their vision could call
one of the EJ Coordinators of the agency or that agency's IWG
representative to discuss the possibility, ideas, and interest in the
potential project. A community-based organization that does not have
sufficient financial resources or skills in proposal writing might
consider inviting and partnering with others (e.g., another
organization, university, or local government agency) that have a
greater capacity for preparing such a proposal. In addition, potential
project applicants can obtain a description and contact information for
each of the 15 current IWG demonstration projects from the EPA
environmental justice Web site. These demonstration project contacts
also can be a source of valuable advice.
A list of the IWG federal agency representatives and EPA Regional
Environmental Justice Coordinators is provided in Appendix C. The EPA
Environmental Justice Web site (Page 1) provides copies of the Federal
Interagency Environmental Justice Directory as well as information on
current IWG demonstration projects, including the IWG Demonstration
Projects Status Report, Environmental Justice Collaborative Model: A
Framework to Ensure Local Problem-Solving.
III. Project Technical Considerations
A. Potential Applicants
Any organization or group of organizations involved in
collaborative multi-stakeholder partnerships to address local
environmental justice concerns can submit their proposal for
consideration. These organizations include community-based
organizations, academia, business and industry, civic and faith-based
organizations, other interested groups, and all levels of government
(federal, state, tribal or local). Each project must include at least
two federal agencies, and serve a minority, low-income, or tribal
community by addressing one or more environmental justice concerns.
B. Essential Project Components
1. To be eligible, each project must include at least two federal
agencies. Federal involvement must include some type of resource
contributions to the project, such as contributions of staff time,
grants, loans, invitational travel, meeting support, in-kind services,
technical resources or other funds.
2. The project must have a mix or a potential mix of partnerships
or established relationships that include local partners such as state,
tribal and local government agencies, businesses and the private
sector, community-based organizations, tribal organizations, local
chapters of national associations (e.g., chambers of commerce or
environmental organizations), community or economic development
corporations, foundations, faith-based organizations, and other
organizations that can contribute to the success of the project.
3. The proposal must have clear objectives, implementation
guidelines, and benefits for environmentally and economically
distressed communities.
4. The proposal must include non-federal partners committing
resources to the project such as contributions of staff time, grants,
loans, invitational travel, meeting support, in-kind services,
technical resources, or other funds.
5. The proposal must include verifiable partners. Information
provided should include, where available and appropriate: Organization
Names, Contact Names, Mailing and Electronic Mailing Addresses, and
Phone Numbers.
IV. Project Descriptions
A. Proposal Format
1. Proposal narratives should be approximately 10 pages in length.
While it is estimated that 10 pages is an optimal length, all
proposals, no matter how short or how long, will be given full
consideration.
2. To the greatest extent possible, each project narrative should
follow the six questions provided in the Project Narrative Section
below. Project applicants should attempt to answer each question to the
best of their abilities, but should not be discouraged if they cannot
answer all questions completely. As emphasized in other sections of
this document, no single project is expected to contain all the
elements identified in the Elements of Success for Environmental
Justice Collaborative Model (Page 11).
3. Supportive materials, where available, should be attached. These
supportive materials may include photos, maps, news articles, and
commitment or endorsement letters.
B. Proposal Narratives
1. Describe and discuss how the project will address one or more
environmental justice concerns of a minority, low-income, or tribal
community(ies). Provide a description of the project's overall
objectives/expected benefits, the community(ies) being served,
geographic location of the community, and implementation approaches.
This should include the following:
[[Page 20410]]
a. Work plan which describes the project's overall objectives,
milestones, and expected benefits.
b. Description of the community(ies) being served (e.g.
demographics, geographic location, community history and assets,
issues).
c. Description of the project's implementation process.
2. As stated earlier in Section II-C, six major design elements
have been identified as being key factors to the success of
environmental justice collaborative models. They are the following:
a. Community-based Leadership Formation and Issue Identification.
b. Capacity- and Partnership-Building in a Multi-Stakeholder
Process.
c. Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government.
d. Strategic Planning and Community Vision.
e. Sound Implementation.
f. Identification of Lessons Learned and Replication of Best
Practices.
Please provide the following responses as appropriate:
a. Description of any of the design elements that are in the
project design and how they contribute to the overall success of the
project.
b. Description of how the remaining elements not covered in the
response to Question 2-a will be integrated into the project.
c. Description of ways that participating federal agencies can
provide assistance in developing and incorporating any of the design
elements in the project.
A great deal of thought should be given to the responses for
Question 2 because these design elements are essential to the success
of the environmental justice collaborative model. To assist in
answering this question, a table containing examples of these design
elements is provided in Appendix A. No single project is expected to
have all these elements. Nor should the list of design element examples
be used as a checklist because every community and every issue is
unique.
3. Describe the partnership(s) and how they were formed, the roles
and responsibilities of each partner, leadership role(s) of the
relevant organizations, and the factors that enable the partnership to
function well. This should include the following:
a. Description of how the relationship(s) or partnership(s) were
formed.
b. Description of what elements or factors enable the
partnership(s) to function well.
c. Description of the leadership roles of the local community
organizations.
4. List the federal agency partners. Describe the federal agencies'
role, commitment of staff, funding resources, and other contributions
to the partnership. Include commitment letters from the federal
agencies, and identify the agency's role in the project and an agency
point of contact. This should include the following:
a. Description of the federal agencies' roles (e.g.
responsibilities, commitment of staff, federal agency coordinator's
contact information, funding resources, and other contributions).
b. Commitment letters from federal agencies discussing their roles
and commitments.
c. Description of other federal agencies that should be involved in
the future and ways by which IWG (or existing partners) can assist to
bring about such involvement.
5. Describe how the non-federal partners (such as, state, local or
tribal government agencies, businesses and the private sector,
community-based organizations, local chapters of national associations
such as chambers of commerce or environmental organizations, community
development corporations (CDCs), and other organizations) are
contributing to the success of the project. Include a list of the
partners (contact name, address, phone number, electronic mail and fax
numbers--if applicable), their resource commitments (e.g. staff, funds,
meeting space), a clear description of their roles in the project, and
letters of commitment from the leadership of the various partners is
required. Describe how other government agencies and organizations
(currently not partners) can contribute to the project. This should
include the following:
a. Description of the roles and responsibilities of each non-
federal partner, including the resource commitments of each partner
(e.g. staff, funding, meeting space).
b. Provide a list of the partners' points of contact (e.g. name,
address).
c. Discussion on how other (non-partner) government agencies and
organizations can contribute to the project.
6. Describe how the proposed project will contribute to some aspect
of community revitalization (e.g., land use, environmental and
ecological, health, economic, social, and local capacity)?
V. Selection Process
A. Review Panel
A panel consisting of representatives from the various federal
agencies participating in the IWG will review the proposals. Conference
calls will be held with the ``finalists'' to ensure all parties
understand the intent of the program and to confirm the roles of the
partners, prior to selections. The IWG will make the final selections
from among the top applicants.
Among the proposals receiving the highest ranking, the IWG may take
into account the geographic location and diversity of the proposed
projects when making final selections.
B. Selection Date
Selections are expected to be completed by November 15, 2002.
Applicants will be notified by December 1, 2002.
VI. Program Schedule for 2002
Development of Proposals and Submission to EPA/IWG--April 15-August 16
IWG Reviews Proposals--September 1-October 15
Final Selections Completed--November 15
National Announcement of Selections--December 1, 2002
VII. Reporting
The lead coordinators of the selected demonstration projects will
be asked to submit semi-annual reports to update the IWG on the
project's progress. The reports should include, but not be limited to,
information on:
Tasks accomplished.
Results achieved.
Resources committed.
Partners added.
Issues/problems encountered and method for resolution.
Appendix A
Elements of Success for Environmental Justice Collaborative Model
The following major design elements have been identified as
being key factors to the success of the environmental justice
collaborative model. Examples are provided in the following table.
The IWG identified these elements of success in order to develop a
template for a holistic, integrated, and collaborative approach to
addressing the environmental justice needs of distressed
communities. Given that each community and each issue is unique, no
single project is expected to have all these elements. Nor should
the list of design element examples be used as a check list. The IWG
believes that this template is a tool that all groups engaged in
building collaborative community-based partnerships could find
useful. Such groups should use these elements as a guide for
strategic planning and project design.
Element of Success and Examples of Design Elements
1. Community-Based eadership Formation and Issue Identification
Identify and build on existing leadership and expertise
in impacted communities.
Involve residents at the beginning in identifying
concerns and crystallizing issues.
[[Page 20411]]
Conduct local education, outreach, fact-finding and
assessments.
Build from a strong understanding of community history,
practice and culture.
Identify early on potential partners from all
stakeholder groups.
Provide training on environmental justice for all
stakeholder groups.
Assess whether or not conditions are ripe for
collaboration.
2. Capacity- and Partnership-Building in a Multi-Stakeholder
Process
.Facilitate dialogue between different stakeholders.
Build upon existing organizational capacity within
community.
Use consensus building or alternative dispute
resolution, as appropriate.
Secure commitments from multiple, appropriate
government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
Establish a formal multi-stakeholder partnership.
Design processes to ensure fair treatment and
meaningful participation of all stakeholders.
Foster capacity-building through training, mentoring,
technical assistance, or resource support.
Integrate environmental justice into ongoing training
efforts.
Design processes that help ensure community education
and capacity building in the future.
Establish processes that allow for inclusion of new
partners as they emerge.
3. Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government
Ensure interagency coordination and cooperation between
multiple federal agencies.
Foster intergovernmental coordination and cooperation
between federal, state, local and/or tribal agencies.
Secure clear commitments (technical assistance,
coordination, resources) from government agencies.
4. Strategic Planning and Community Vision
Facilitate articulation of community vision, its
aspirations based upon community-based planning and methods.
Determine community assets (e.g., technical, financial,
social, cultural, natural resource) and deficits (e.g.,
environmental degradation, abandoned buildings, lack of
infrastructure).
Utilize tools for comprehensive community planning
(e.g. GIS, planning charettes).
Identify, target and leverage assets from all sources
(e.g. community, government, industry, academia, foundations).
Reinforce community values.
5. Sound Implementation
Develop Implementation Plan with shared goals, well
defined objectives, timelines, action plans, commitments.
Design projects to build on strengths, deficits,
resources, and capacity of partners, especially the community's.
Identify, nurture and promote collaborations with win/
win scenarios.
Obtain clear, written commitments from partners
(possibly use a memorandum of agreement).
Cluster and order tasks to promote efficient use of
time and resources
Develop methodology to measure and evaluate impact on
community and stakeholders.
Identify and build upon small successes.
Add to and strengthen partnerships as new issues and
relationships are understood.
Build on community and organizational capacity through
implementation to facilitate next phase.
Ensure resolution of conflict or potential conflicts
(possibly through the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution).
6. Identification of Lessons Learned and Replication of Best
Practices
Clearly define measures of success of project of
objectives, processes, outputs, institutional effects, and quality-
of-life results.
Understand and evaluate, from different stakeholder
perspectives, indicators used to measure success.
Incorporate lessons learned into ongoing processes,
both inside and outside of the community.
Develop a ``template'' for successful collaborative
models, based upon community experience.
Develop mechanisms to integrate lessons into future
efforts as new issues and challenges are identified.
Share, publish, and disseminate experiences and lessons
learned.
Appendix B
Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice
The Federal Interagency Working Group (IWG) on Environmental
Justice was created by Executive Order 12898 (1994).
The Executive Order delineates the IWG agency responsibilities
as follows: ``To the extent practicable and permitted by law, and
consistent with the principles set forth in the report on the
National Performance Review, each Federal agency shall make
achieving environmental justice part of its mission by identifying
and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and
activities on minority populations and low-income populations'. * *
*'' Additionally, the order calls for the IWG to ``develop
interagency model projects on environmental justice that evidence
cooperation among Federal agencies'.
The IWG has focused on three activities to support
collaborative, problem-solving partnerships: (1) Nurturing and
promoting local demonstration projects, (2) promoting a national
dialogue on collaborative models; and (3) identifying the elements
of success for developing a coherent collaborative model.
Nurture and Promote Local Demonstration Projects
The IWG demonstration projects foster proactive, collaborative
efforts that bring agencies, at all levels of government, together
with diverse stakeholders in impacted communities. The main goal is
to encourage better leveraging of existing federal resources,
support local projects that promote among other federal agencies the
addition of other federal resources to the projects.
Promote National Dialogue on Building Collaborative Models
In order to create a broad-based consensus on the appropriate
use of a collaborative model, the IWG is promoting a national
dialogue on building collaborative models to achieve environmental
justice goals. One goal of such a dialogue is to ensure a common
understanding among all stakeholder groups of this framework and
share lessons which each group can apply. IWG members have conducted
meetings and briefings for community, business, industry, faith-
based groups, and state, local and tribal government partners and
stakeholders. This also has identified new partners and builds
interest in applying this model to their situations.
Identify Elements of Success for Developing a Coherent Collaborative
Framework
Based upon the experience gained thus far, the IWG is
systematically identifying the elements of success common to all
collaborative models. In addition, the IWG, through the efforts of
the EPA Office of Policy, Economics, and Innovation, is developing
an evaluation framework for the IWG collaborative model. These
activities have been instrumental for creating a common
understanding of collaborative models to achieve environmental
justice across the gamut of stakeholders. It is important to create
a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved and to help
diverse stakeholders in impacted communities to understand the value
and benefits of the voluntary and cooperative approach. Without a
common understanding of the appropriate use and value of these
models, stakeholders will lack the knowledge they need to overcome
the lack of trust and adversarial relations.
Additional information on the Interagency Working Group on
Environmental Justice can be found at the following Web address:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/recent/ej.html.
Appendix C--Contacts
Federal Interagency Environmental Justice Working Group Contacts
EPA: Charles Lee, Associate Director for Policy & Interagency
Liaison, Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW-Mail Code 2201 A, Washington, DC
20460, Phone: 202/564-2597 Fax: 202/501-1163, E-mail:
lee.charles@epamail.epa.gov
DOC/EDA: Dennis Alvord, Economic Development Specialist, Economic
Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th St. &
Constitution Ave., NW (Room 7326), Washington, DC 20230, Phone: 202/
482-4320 Fax: 202/219-9007, E-mail: DAlvord@eda.doc.gov
DOC/NOAA: Roan Conrad, Director, Office of Sustainable Development
and Intergovernmental Affairs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[[Page 20412]]
(NOAA), U.S. Department Of Commerce, 14th St. & Constitution Ave.,
NW (Room 5222), Washington, DC 20230, Phone: 202/482-3384 Fax: 202/
482-2663, E-mail: roan.conrad@noaa.gov
DOE: Melinda Downing, Environmental Justice Program Manager, Office
of Environmental Management, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585, Phone: 202/586-7703
Fax: 202/586-0293, E-mail: melinda.downing@EM.DOE.gov
DOL: Babette D. Williams, Program Analyst and Environmental Justice
Coordinator, Office of the Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20210, Phone:
202/693-5910 Fax: 202/693-5960, E-mail: williams-babette@dol.gov
DOJ: Quentin C. Pair, Attorney, Environmental Enforcement Section,
U.S. Department of Justice (DO/END/PLS), 1425 New York Avenue, NW
(Room 11017), Washington, DC 20005, Phone: 202/514-1999 Fax: 202/
514-0097, E-mail: quentin.pair@usdoj.gov
DOI: Willie R. Taylor, Director, Office of Environmental Policy and
Compliance, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Interior-
MS2340, 1848 C Street, NW (Room 2355), Washington, DC 20240, Phone:
202/208-3891 Fax: 202/208-6970, E-mail: willie_taylor@ios.doi.gov
DOT: Marc Brenman, Senior Policy Advisor for Civil Rights, Office of
Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Transportation 400 7th Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20590, Phone: 202/366-1119 Fax: 202/366-9371, E-mail:
marc.brenman@ost.dot.gov
DOD: Len Richeson, Environmental Protection Specialist, Office of
the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense,
3400 Defense Pentagon, Room R3E792, Washington, DC 20301-3400,
Phone: 703/604-0518 Fax: 703/607-4237, E-mail: richeslh@acq.osd.mil
HHS/NIEHS: Charles A. Wells, Director, Environmental Justice, Health
Disparity and Public Health, Office of the Director, National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), 31 Center Drive,
Building 31-Room B1CO2-MSC 22-2256, Bethesda, MD 20892-22056, Phone:
301/496-2920 Fax: 301/496-0563, E-mail: wells1@niehs.nih.gov
HHS/ATSDR: Reuben C. Warren, Associate Administrator for Urban
Affairs, Office of Urban Affairs, Agency for Toxic Substances
&Disease Registry, 1600 Clifton Road, NE MS E28, Atlanta, GA 30333,
Phone: 404/498-0111 Fax: 404/498-0087, E-mail: RCW4@cdc.gov
HUD: Richard Broun, Director, Office of Environment and Energy, U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451-7th Street, SW Room
7240, Washington, DC 20410, Phone: 202/708-2894 ext. 4439 Fax: 202/
708-3363, E-mail: richard--broun@hud.gov
Antoinette Sebastian, Senior Community Environmental Planner, Office
of Environment and Energy, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development 451-7th Street, SW Room 7248, Washington, DC 20410,
Phone: 202/708-0614 ext. 4458 Fax: 202/708-3363, E-mail:
antoinette--sebastian@hud.gov
USDA/USFS: Robert Ragos, Title VI & Related Program Manager, Office
of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Agriculture/Forest Service, 201
14 Street SW, Room 4SW, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 202/205-0961
Fax: 202/690-2510, E-mail: rragos@fs.fed.us
EPA Regional Environmental Justice Coordinators Contact Names and
Addresses
Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,
Rhode Island, Vermont
Name: Kathy Castagna
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, One Congress Street,
11th Floor, Boston, MA 02203-0001,
Phone: 617-918-1429 F: 617-918-1029
E-Mail: castagna.kathy@epa.gov
Region 2: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands
Name: Terry Wesley
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 26th
Floor,New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-637-5027 F: 212-637-4943
E-Mail: wesley.terry@epa.gov
Region 3: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland,
Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
Name: Reginald Harris
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1650 Arch St. (MC-
3ECOO), Philadelphia, PA 19103,
Phone: 215-814-2988 F: 215-814-2905
E-Mail: harris.reggie@epa.gov
Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Name: Cynthia Peurifoy
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 61 Forsyth Street,
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-562-9649 F: 404-562-9664
E-Mail: peurifoy.cynthia@epa.gov
Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio,
Wisconsin
Name: Karla Owens
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 77 West Jackson Blvd.
T-16J, Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone: 312-886-5993 F: 312-886-2737
E-Mail: owens.karla@epa.gov
Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Name: Olivia R. Balandran
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fountain Place, 12th
Floor, 1445 Ross Ave., (RA-D), Dallas, TX 75202-2733,
Phone: 214-665-7257 F: 214-665-6648
E-Mail: balandran.olivia@epa.gov
Region 7: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska
Name: Althea Moses
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 901 North 5th Street,
(ECORA), Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7649 F: 913-551-7941
E-Mail: moses.althea@epa.gov
Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah,
Wyoming
Name: Elisabeth Evans
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 999 18th Street,
Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202-2405
Phone: 303-312-6053 F: 303-312-6409
E-Mail: evans.elisabeth@epa.gov
Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa,
Guam
Name: Willard Chin
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: 415-972-3797 F: 415-947-3562
E-Mail: chin.willard@epa.gov
Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Name: Michael Letourneau
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue
(CEJ-163), Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-1687 F: 206-553-7176
E-Mail: letourneau.mike@epa.gov
Name: Victoria Plata
Address: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Sixth Avenue
(CEJ-163), Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: 206-553-8580 F: 206-553-7176
E-Mail: plata.victoria@epa.gov
Dated: April 11, 2002.
Barry E. Hill,
Director, Office of Environmental Justice.
[FR Doc. 02-9913 Filed 4-23-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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