Environmental Justice Element

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental justice (EJ) means that everyone should have equal protection and advantages when it comes to the environment around them. It also means that people should be meaningfully involved in the decisions that affect their community.

Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies.

Meaningful involvement means:

• 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.
• Decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

Click here to view the adopted Environmental Justice Element(PDF, 11MB)