epa environmental justice implementation plan march 2011

8/6/2019 EPA Environmental Justice Implementation Plan March 2011

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PLANEJ2014SCIENCETOOLSDEVELOPMENT

DRAFTIMPLEMENTATIONPLANLedby

OfficeofResearchandDevelopment

PlanEJ2014isEPAsroadmaptointegrateenvironmentaljustice(EJ)intoitsprogramsandpolicies.2014representsthe20thanniversaryofthesigningofExecutiveOrder12898onenvironmentaljustice.


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CommentsregardingtheScienceToolsDevelopmentDraftImplementationPlancanbesubmittedonRegulations.govDocket#EPAHQOECA20110290.

CommentswillbeacceptedthroughApril29,2011.

FormoreinformationonPlanEJ2014,visittheUSEPAsOfficeofEnvironmentalJusticewebsiteat:http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/planej/index.html.
http:///reader/full/Regulations.govhttp://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/plan-ej/index.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/plan-ej/index.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/plan-ej/index.htmlhttp:///reader/full/Regulations.govhttp://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/plan-ej/index.html


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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011INTRODUCTIONUnderPlanEJ2014,EPAhascommittedtobuildingastrongscientificfoundationforsupportingenvironmentaljustice(EJ)andconductingdisproportionateimpactanalysis,particularlymethodstoappropriatelycharacterizeandassesscumulativeimpacts.TheseeffortswillhelptoensurethatEPAbringsthebestsciencetodecisionmakingaroundenvironmentaljusticeissues.ThisScienceImplementationPlandiscussesoverarchinggoals,strategies,andactivities,includingascienceandresearchagendafortheAgency.ThescienceandresearchactivitiesdescribedinthisplanbuildupondiscussionsandrecommendationsfromEPAsScienceofDisproportionateImpactsAnalysisSymposium(March1719,2010)andanEJregulatoryanalysistechnicalworkshop(June910,2010). TheMarch2010SymposiumwastheprincipaleventfortheAgencytoidentifyscienceneedsforenvironmentaljusticeandstimulateinnovativeresearchtomeetthoseneeds.1.1 GoalsOurgoalisthat,withinfiveyears,EPAwillsubstantiallysupportandconductresearchthatemploysparticipatoryprinciplesandintegratessocialandphysicalsciencesaimedatunderstandingandilluminatingsolutionstoenvironmentalandhealthinequalitiesamonglowincome,minority,indigenous,underservedandoverburdenedpopulationsandcommunitiesintheUS.AllAgencydecisionswillmakeuseoftheinformation,data,andanalytictoolsproduced.Ourgoalhastwospecificelements:1. Improvethescientificbasisforenvironmentalregulatoryandpolicydecisionsinorderto

ensurethateveryoneenjoysthesamedegreeofprotectionfromenvironmentalandhealthhazardsandequalaccesstothedecisionmakingprocesstohaveahealthyenvironmentinwhichtolive,learn,andwork.

2. Inordertoincreasetherelevanceofsciencetopolicymaking,transformhowEPAformulates,designs,prioritizes,conducts,andsupportsthescientificresearchenterprisetowardsmorecitizenparticipatory,inclusive,coproductionofknowledge,andcollaborativeprocesses.

1.2 StrategiesWehavefivemajorstrategiestoachieveourgoals.1. Applyintegratedtransdisciplinaryandcommunitybasedparticipatoryresearchapproaches

withafocusonaddressingmultimedia,cumulativeimpactsandequityinenvironmentalhealth.

2. CreatemechanismstoincorporateperspectivesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsandcommunityleadersintoEPAresearchagendasandengagingincollaborativepartnershipswiththemonscienceandresearchtoaddressenvironmentaljustice.

3. Leveragepartnershipswithotherfederalagenciesonissuesofresearch,policyandactiontoaddresshealthdisparities.

4. BuildandstrengthenthetechnicalcapacityofAgencyscientistsonconductingresearchinpartnershipwithimpactedcommunitiesandtranslatingresearchresultstoinformchange.

5. Buildandstrengthentechnicalcapacityofcommunitybasedorganizationsandcommunityenvironmentaljusticeandhealthleaders.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,20111.3 DiscussionMultipleaspectsofthephysicalenvironmentinwhichwelive,learn,work,andplaycanputcertaingroupsofpeopleathigherrisk.Also,individualsandgroupsmayexperiencedisadvantagesrelatedtotheirgender,lifestage,socioeconomicstatus,race,ethnicity,disability,education,geographiclocation,and/orothercharacteristicshistoricallylinkedtodiscriminationorexclusion.Thiscomplexinteractionbetweenthephysicalenvironmentandotherconditionsofsocialdisadvantagecontributestoknownsocialdisparitiesinenvironmentalhealthoutcomes.Since1994,asstatedintheExecutiveOrder12898,ithasbeenincumbentuponallfederalagenciesincludingEPAtoidentifyandaddressdisproportionatelyhighandadversehumanhealthorenvironmentaleffectsonminorityandlowincomepopulationsthatmayresultfromtheirprograms,policies,andactivities.Theconceptofdisproportionateenvironmentalhealthimpactsandburdensreferstothefindingthatsomepopulationssystematicallyexperiencehigherlevelsofrisksandimpactsthanthegeneralpopulation.Thisperspectiverecognizesthatmultiplefactors,includingsocial,psychosocial,economic,physical,chemicalandbiologicaldeterminantsmaycontributetodisproportionatelyhighandadversehumanhealthorenvironmentalimpacts.TheimportanceofscienceinenvironmentaldecisionmakingattheEPAemphasizestheneedfordataandinformationthatissoundanddefensible,reproducible,andinformative. Forenvironmentaljusticestakeholders,itisevenmoreimportantthatthescienceunderlyingEPAsdecisionsappropriatelyaccountsforthemultipleexposurestochemicalstressorsandcumulativeimpactsfromsuchmultipleexposuresthattheyexperienceintheircommunities. Further,thesocial/realworldcontextinwhichexposurestoenvironmentalcontaminantsoccuralsoneedstobeexplicitlyconsideredandreflectedinEPAsscientificresearchandanalysisasemergingevidencedemonstratesthatsocialcontextmayenhancethetoxiceffectsofbothsingleandmultipleenvironmentalcontaminantexposures. Suchconsiderationsrequirenewmodelsforassessingthetoxicityofenvironmentalhazards,advancedmethodsforanalyzingcomplexinteractionsbetweenmultiplestressors,andenhancedaccesstocommunitylevelwisdomandresources.TheseemergingneedsindicatethatnewwaysofconductingscientificinquirytoinformenvironmentaldecisionareneededatEPA. SuchexpansionandadvancementofEPAsscientificagenda,methods,models,researchinquiryapproaches,andinformationresourcesisnecessaryfortheagencytoadequatelyaddressenvironmentaljusticestakeholdersconcernsaboutenvironment,sustainability,andhealthinequalities. TheseadvancementstakeonadditionalimportancewhenviewedinthecontextoftheAgencysmandatetoachieveenvironmentaljusticeasrequiredbyExecutiveOrder12898,anditsabilitytoeffectivelycontributetowardsHealthyPeople2020soverarchinggoalstoachievehealthequity,eliminatehealthdisparities,improvethehealthofallgroups,andcreatesocialandphysicalenvironmentsthatpromotegoodhealthforall.Thegoals,strategiesandactivitiesforthisImplementationPlanbuilduponthesciencerecommendationsarticulatedattheStrengtheningEnvironmentalJusticeResearchandDecisionMaking:ASymposiumontheScienceofDisproportionateEnvironmentalHealthImpactsandthesubsequent100DayChallengeReportdevelopedbytheAgencyinresponsetothoserecommendations. AconsistentthemethroughouttheMarch2010symposiumpresentationsand

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011discussionswasthelinkagesbetweenscienceandpolicy. ThesediscussionswereframedwithinthecontextofidentifyingresearchandscientificneedsthatarenecessarytoensurethatenvironmentaljusticeconcernsandsocialdisparitiesinenvironmentalhealthareincorporatedinEPAsdecisionsforthepurposeofadvancingEPApolicyonenvironmentaljustice. SymposiumparticipantssuggestedseveralactionsforEPAtotakeinordertoreducedatagapsintheareaofenvironmentaljustice,overcomelimitationsinthetheoriesandmethodsforconductingresearchonenvironmentalhealthdisparitiesandparticularlyresearchsupportedbythefederalgovernment,andlimitationsinpracticeofriskassessmentattheEPA. ThesciencerecommendationsfromenvironmentaljusticeadvocatesandotherstakeholdersarecapturedinAppendixC.Inaddition,wedrawfromseveralconceptualframeworkspublishedinthelastfewyearsthatrelateenvironmentaljusticeandhealthdisparitiestoupstream,structuraldeterminantsofhealth(CSDH2008;GeeandPayneSturges2004;Krieger2001;HabermannandGouveia2008;MorelloFrosch2002;MorelloFroschandShenassa2006;Schulzetal2002;WakefieldandBaxter2010).WehaveadaptedtheWakefieldandBaxtersystemsframeworkofcompoundeddisadvantageandimpactsonwellbeingtoillustrateacomprehensiveyetsimplediagrammingofkeyconceptsseebelow).

Environment Health & Society Conceptual Framework

Social/Institutional Arrangementse.g, Racism/discrimination;

Poverty/access to resources;Land use decisions; economic systems;

Legal frameworks

Social Standing and Identity

Health

StatusHuman/EcosystemWell-Being

Physical & SocialEnvironments

Allostatic Load/Weathering

May or may not be causally linked

SocialProcesse

s

Ou

tcomes

Age Social Class Race/ethnicity Gender

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,20112.0 IMPLEMENTATIONBelowwedescribeseveralmajorscienceandresearchactivitiesunderthe5strategies.Theseactivitieswillbecarriedoutwithexistingresources,providedtheseresourcesremainavailable.2.1 ActivitiesStrategy1:Applyintegratedtrans disciplinaryandcommunity basedparticipatoryresearchapproacheswithafocusonaddressingmulti media,cumulativeimpactsandequityinenvironmentalhealth.Activity1.1:EstablishanIntegratedTransDisciplinaryORDResearchProgramonEnvironmentandCommunityHealthSustainableandHealthyCommunitiesResearchProgramThenewAdministrationatEPAandinparticularintheEPAOfficeofResearchandDevelopment(ORD)recognizethatfragmentedresearchprogramscannotsolve21stcenturyenvironmentalchallengesincludingdisparitiesinenvironmentalhealth. ORDisleadingthewaybyintegrating12researchprogramsthatweremostlymediaspecificinto4transdisciplinaryprogramsalignedwiththenewEPAStrategicPlan.AspartofthisrestructuringORDisfullyestablishingandsupportinganewintegratedtransdisciplinaryresearchprogramonenvironmentandcommunityhealthknownasSustainableandHealthyCommunities.Thisprogramseekstoadoptamoreholisticviewofenvironmentandhealthasitsconceptualframework,takeonresearchprojectsthataddressmanyofthetopicsraisedattheSymposium,andconductresearchinamannerconsistentwithprinciplesofcommunitybasedparticipatoryresearch.BothORDintramuralandextramuralresourcesfromexistinghumanhealth,land,sustainabilityandecosystemsresearchprogramswouldbedirectedtosupportthisnewprogram. Forthisnewresearchprogramtobesuccessful,implementationofmanyoftherecommendedactionsoncapacitybuildingwithinORDandincorporatingcommunityperspectivesiscritical.AspartofthenewSustainableandHealthyCommunitiesResearchProgram(SHCRP),newEPASTARgrantsolicitationsarebeingconsideredtosupportTribalcommunityenvironmentalhealthresearchandtoestablishCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealthDisparitiestoexaminethejointimpactsofsocialandphysicalenvironmentalconditions,processesandsystemsonhealthincollaborationwiththeNationalInstitutesofHealths(NIH)NationalCenteronMinorityHealthandHealthDisparities(NCMHD).BenefitstoEPAStakeholderCommunities ORDsnewresearchprogramisresponsivetosuggestionsfromstakeholderstocreateand

institutenewscientificresearchapproachtodevelopamoreholisticunderstandingoftheenvironmental

and

health,

and

also

to

integrate

perspectives

from

community

residents

and

leaders,communitybasedNGOs,andcommunityhealthandenvironmentalqualityadvocatesinthedevelopmentofEPAsscientificresearchagendasaswellasindatacollection,conductofriskandexposureassessments,andriskmanagementdecisions.

TheHallmarkoftheintegratedproposedtransdisciplinaryapproachissystemsthinkingwhichseekstounderstandthecomplexinteractionsbetweensocial,naturalandbuiltenvironmentalsystems,conditionsandpoliciesthatimpacthumanhealthandwellbeing.To

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011explicitlyaddressenvironmentaljusticeconcerns,thisprogramwillneedtodirectitsattentiontohowthesecomplexinteractionsresultinunequalenvironmentalhealthconditionsordisproportionateimpactsamong(diverse)disadvantagedpopulationgroups,communities,neighborhoodsandindividuals.Anticipatedoutcomesofthisprogramincludenewinformationandtoolstosupportmoreholisticenvironmentaldecisionmakingatnational,regional,state.tribalandlocallevels. Itisanticipatedthatthisprogramwillalsoinformstrategiesforalleviatingsystemicdriversofracialandsocioeconomicdisparitiesinenvironmentallymediatedhealthoutcomes(environmentalhealth)andaccesstohealthyenvironments.

ImpactsonEPAProgramsandActivities PaulAnastas,AssistantAdministratorforORD,announcedtherestructuringofORDs12

mediaspecificresearchprogramsintofourintegratedprogramsinFall2010. TheSustainableandHealthyCommunitiesResearchProgramisanimportantpartofthiseffort. Thisnewprogramiscurrentlyintheearlystagesoforganizinganddevelopment.InputfromEPAprogramsofficeswillbesoughtinearly2011.Theninlatespring,inputfromoutsidestakeholderwillbesolicited.BringingtogetherdiversityofdisciplinestoplanandimplementintegratedresearchprogramswillmakeEPAmoreeffectiveatdevelopingsustainablesolutionstocomplex,21stcenturyenvironmentalproblems. ItwillcreateaculturewheredifferentdisciplinesareencouragedtofindinnovativesolutionsandwillmakeEPAresearchmoretimely,relevantandresponsivetotheshort,mediumandlongertermneedsofourpartnersandstakeholders. Severalexternaladvisorycommitteescontinuetorecommendthisapproach.

Timeframe EstablishandfullysupportaSustainableandHealthyCommunitiesResearchProgram.(FY

2011) Incorporateideasandconcernsfromstakeholdersandrepresentativesfrom

disproportionatelyimpactedcommunitiesandpopulations.(FY2011) IssuejointRequestforApplications(RFA)orotherfundingmechanismtocollaboratewithNIH

NationalInstituteMinorityHealthandHealthDisparitiestoestablishCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealthDisparities(FY2012)

Activity1.2:Developtechnicalguidance,analyticmethods,toolsanddatatoadvancetheintegrationofenvironmentaljusticeinEPAdecisionmakingEPAsregulatorydecisionmakingisinformedbyscientificdataandanalysis. Tofacilitatetheprocessofusingscientificdata,EPAscientistsanddecisionmakers,aswellascommunities,communityadvocatesandotherstakeholders,requireconsistentandsystematicguidanceonhowtoconducttheseanalyses. Theyalsodependonscientificallyvalidtoolsandmethods,aswellasinformationcommunicatedbyenvironmentaldata.Whiletheguidance,methods,toolsanddataforadvancingenvironmentalhealthprotectionhasbeenanareaofsignificantinvestmentbytheEPA,thesetoolsofthetradehavenotbeenfullyadaptedordevelopedtospecificallyaddressenvironmentaljusticeissues.EPAscommitmenttointegratingenvironmentaljusticeinallofitsdecisions,policiesandprogramshasresutedininvestmentstodeveloptechnicalguidance,analyticmethods,tools,and

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011data. Forexample,EPAisintheprocessofdevelopingguidanceentitledTechnicalGuidanceforIncorporatingEnvironmentalJusticeintoRulemakingActivities.ThisdocumentisexpectedtoaidEPAstaffandmanagersinincorporatingenvironmentaljusticeintoEPAsanalyticalframeworkssuchasriskassessment,andeconomicanalysis,andotherscientificandpolicyassessments. Thisguidancewillincorporateapproachestoevaluatecumulativeimpactsofregulatoryoptions.Meanwhile,EPAsOfficeofAirandRadiation(OAR)ispilotingseveralkindsofanalysesthatareusefulininformingmanagersaboutthepotentialEJimplicationsofairrulemakings. OARisevaluatingandtestingseveralanalyticalapproachesincluding:(1)proximitybasedsociodemographicanalyses,whichhighlightthecharacteristicsofthoselivingclosesttosourcesofairpollution;(2)exposureandhealthriskmodelingthatbreaksoutdatabasedonsociodemographiccharacteristics(e.g.,race,income);and(3)benefitsmappingthatshowsthedistributionofbenefitsofaregulationtovarioussociodemographicgroups.OARexpectstolearnfromtheirexperiencesinusingtheseapproaches. OARwillreviseitsmethodsaccordingly,asitseekstodoabetterofjobofidentifyingrulesthatmaypresentEJconcernsandtounderstandmorefullytheimplicationsofairrulesonminority,lowincomeandindigenouspopulations.OARsexperienceswillhelptoinformtheoverallAgencyefforttodeveloptheTechnicalGuide.EPAsORDisalsodevelopinganEnvironmentalQualityIndextoolformeasuringcountylevelenvironmentalquality,whichwillincreaseunderstandingabouthowmultiplestressorssimultaneouslycontributetohealthdisparitiesinminority,lowincomeandindigenouspopulations.ORDplanstoevaluateexistingtoolsdevelopedbyORDscientistswithrespecttoappropriatenessandeaseofuseforlayexpertsincommunities. ToimproveaccesstoAgencytools,ORDplanstoworkwithstakeholderstodevelopaseriesoffreeregionallybasedtrainingsonEPAinformationandassessmenttools. ORDalsoplanstopartnerwithEPAregionaloffices,sisterfederalagenciesand

consortia

of

EJ/community

health

non

profitsand

community

basedorganizations

to

host

communitybasedtoolsworkshops,RegionalToolsSummits. Therewillbeaspecificfocusontoolstoevaluateenvironmentaljusticeandhealthdisparitiespoliciesandprograms.ORDproposestocontinuetodevelopcumulativerisk/impactassessmenttechniques/analytics,tools,andmappingthatcanbeappliedatmultiplegeographicscales. Forexample,ORDhascommitted$8millioninresearchinvestmentthroughSTARgrantsoncumulativeriskassessmentmethodsthatincorporatecommunitysocialcontexts(nonchemicalstressors)andindicatorsofpopulationvulnerability(seehttp://www.epa.gov/ncer/cumulativerisk).TheAgencywillensureresearchresultsfromthesenewSTARgrantsoncumulativerisksandchemical/nonchemicalstressorsarewelldisseminatedandusedbyEPAprogramoffices.ORDsOfficeofScienceAdvisorandNationalExposureResearchLaboratory(NERL)havelaunchedaninitiativetodevelopawebbasedcumulativeriskassessmenttool,theCumulativeRiskAssessmentEnvironmentalJusticeWizard(theCRAEJWizard).ThistoolwillenableamorecompleteandthoroughevaluationandunderstandingofmultilevelstressorsthatresultincumulativeimpactsinU.S.communitiesandpopulations.Thisbroaderframeworkfordecisionmakingleadstoinherentlymoresustainableoutcomesasaresultofamorecomplete

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011understandingofthefactorsconstitutingandcontributingtoriskinidentifiedpopulations.TheCRAEJWizardisdesignedtoimplementamultimediaapproachtocumulativecontaminationexposuresincommunitiesfacingenvironmentaljusticeissues. ItwillreflectthecumulativeimpactsconsiderationsoutlinedintheTechnicalGuidanceforIncorporatingEnvironmentalJusticeintoRulemakingActivitiesandinformtheEPACRAguidelines.Theprojectisdirectlyresponsivetotherecognitionthatvulnerabilityandhealthdisparitiesareinterrelatedandmustbestudiedwithintheriskassessmentparadigm.ThedevelopersoftheCRAEJWizardintendedtoengagewithenvironmentaljusticeandcommunitybasedstakeholderstoinformthedevelopmentoftheCRAEJWizardandrelatedagencycumulativeriskassessmentguidelines. ThisapproachpurposelybuildsskillsamongEPA/ORDscientiststodesignresearchandriskassessmentprotocolsinformedbycollaborationwithaffectedcommunities.AttheMarch2010Symposium,participantsrequestedEPAtodevelopeasytouseGeographicInformationSystem(GIS)tools. ORDsNationalAtlasofEcosystemServicesisdevelopinganUrbanAtlaswhichwillincludehighresolutionmappingfor100250urbanareasselectedalongseveralgradientsofconcern(e.g.,size,location,demographics,environmentalandhealthcondition). Bymappingthecurrentavailabilityofgreeninfrastructureandapplyingexistingmodelsforpollutantremoval,waterstorage,andotherfunctions,ORDsNationalAtlaswillestimatetheextenttowhichecosystemservicescontributetothebasicneedsofurbanpopulations.Additionally,theAtlaswillrevealunderservedareaswheremanagementtoenhancespecificecosystemserviceswouldbenefitcommunityhealthandwellbeing.TheurbancomponentoftheAtlaswillincludedemographicmappingtoidentifylowincomeandothervulnerablesubpopulationsthatmaybenefitdisproportionatelyfromgreeninfrastructureand/oraredisproportionatelyunderserved. TheAtlaswillstratifyurbanareastodevelopseparateestimatesofecosystemservicesforcommunitiesidentifiedassociallyvulnerable. Additionally,itwillincorporateaccessiblehealthdatatomapaspectsofpopulationsusceptibilitytodiminishedordegradedservices. EPAisconductingthisprojectincollaborationwithmultiplefederalagencies,includingtheU.S.ForestService,theU.S.GeologicalSurvey,andtheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention,aswellasacademicandothereducationalorganizations. InteractionwithcommunitiesisoccurringinconjunctionwithEPARegionsandORDsHumanHealthResearchProgramtoidentifypriorityissuesandbuildcapacityforworkingwithmappingtoolstoinformriskevaluationandmanagementdecisions.BenefitstoEPAStakeholderCommunities Thedevelopmentofguidance,methods,toolsanddatatoadvancetheintegrationof

environmentaljusticeintoEPAsdecisionmakingprocessesisresponsivetoseveralcommentsprovidedbystakeholders. Forexample,theseactivitiesaddresssuggestionsthatEPAgobeyondsciencetoconsidertheareasofpolicy,capacitybuildingandpromotinghealthyandsustainablecommunities.ThesestakeholdercommentsrecommendEPAto:(1)developanalyticandassessmenttoolsanddatacollectionapproachesthatcanbeusedbycommunityhealthadvocatesandEJgroups;(2)adoptmultimediacrossprogramapproachestoaddressingcumulativeenvironmentalexposuresinstakeholdercommunities,andaswellasrestructuringriskassessmenttobetteraccountformultiplestressors;(3)increasecommunitycapacitytoassesstheirenvironment;(4)developamoreholisticunderstandingofenvironmentandhealth;and(5)integrateenvironmentaljusticeinallitsdecisions. Better

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011integrationofenvironmentaljusticeintoEPAsdecisionsdirectlybenefitscommunitiesimpactedbyEPAsregulatoryactivities. TheoverarchinggoalofdevelopingthesetoolsofthetradeistoaidEPAstafftodevelopregulatoryoptionsthatfullyprotectthehealthandenvironmentofallpeople,aswellashelpingcommunitiestobetterunderstandtheirenvironmentalproblems.

CommunitybasedstakeholderswillbenefitfromCRAEJWizardthroughaccesstoimprovedinformationthatintegratestheirownunderstandingoflocalconditionswithdatadrawnfromEPAsdatabases. Dependinguponapplication,benefitsmayincludeimprovedcapacitytocollaboratewithAgencyexperts,identifypriorities,andpursueriskreductionstrategiestoimprovepublichealthandtheenvironment.

KeyoutcomesoftheUrbanAtlaswillbetoinformcommunitymembersanddecisionmakersastohownaturalresourcesarecriticalcommunityassets,andhowtheirabsenceordegradationmaybecontributingtocumulativeburdensonhumanhealthandwellbeing.Furthermore,theintegrated,multimediaapproachoftheUrbanAtlaswillprovideinformationonthecobenefitsaccruedtothecommunitywhenapplyingecosystemservicestomitigatespecificenvironmentalcontaminantsorotherpriorityhealthrisks.

ImpactsonEPAprogramsandactivities TheseactionsarealsoresponsivetoseveralcorefocusareasofEPAsPlanEJ2014andthe

principlesonenvironmentaljusticearticulatedinEPAsStrategicPlanfor20112015. ItisalsoresponsivetothemandateinEO12898whichrequiresthatEPAidentifyandaddressdisproportionatelyhighandadversehumanhealthorenvironmentaleffectsofitspolicies,programsandactivitiesonminority,lowincomeandtribalpopulations.

Resultsproducedbythenewresearchgrantsoncumulativerisks/impactswilldemonstratesuccessfulapproachestoincorporatingcommunityknowledgeintothedevelopmentofsuchtoolsandtheapplicationofqualitativeapproachesandsocialsciencemethodsintocumulativeimpactassessments. EPAprogramswillbenefitfromthedevelopmentoftheCRAEJWizardthroughengagingwithstakeholderstoaddressthecommunitybasedassessmentofcumulativeriskswithenvironmentaljusticeconcerns.

Intensiveengagementwithenvironmentaljusticestakeholderswillimprovetheincorporationoftheseissuesinthedesignoftheguidelines.TheCRAEJWizardwillimprovethecapacityofEPARegionalriskassessorstoassistcommunitiesinunderstandingthecomplexityofrisk,andprovidethemeansbywhichtoidentifypriorities. AlsotheCRAEJwillassistprogramsinimplementingtheplannedTechnicalGuidanceforIncorporatingEnvironmentalJusticeintoRulemakingActivitiesbyfacilitatingastepbystepapproachtoevaluatingcumulativerisksandimpacts.MorebroadlyCRAguidelineswillaffectriskbaseddecisionmakingacrossthefullrangeofEPAprograms,bothnationallyandintheRegionsandcommunities.IncorporationofEJintoCRAwillintroduceEJconsiderationsthroughoutEPApolicyanddecisionmaking.

Theprocessfordevelopingthesetools,data,methodsandguidancewillleadtoinnovativeapproachesandtoolsforincorporatingenvironmentaljusticeconcernsinEPAsregulatoryandpolicydecisionmaking. Otherinnovationsincludeidentifyingresearchneedsanddatagapsontopicssuchasenvironmentalpublichealthindicatorstoassessdisparities,equityimpact

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011assessmentmethods,metricstoassessinequitiesinriskassessmentstosupportrulemaking,andpolicyandprogramevaluation. ORDplanstobridgethesedatagapsthroughbothintramuralandextramuralresearchprograms.

InitialcommunityinteractionforthedevelopmentoftheUrbanAtlaswillproceedthroughexistingEPAinitiativessuchastheCAREandEJSHOWCASEprogramsandtheEPA/HUD/DOTPartnershipforSustainableCommunities,andtheirEPAliaisons. Informationaboutecosystemserviceswillexpandoptionsforimprovingcommunityhealthandwellbeing,andclarifyeconomicandothertradeoffsinvolvedinalternateenvironmentalmitigationandremediationdecisions. TheselectionoffocalurbanareasalongseveralgradientsisdesignedtofacilitatetheapplicationofobservedlinkagesbetweencommunitywelfareandecosystemservicestoadditionalpopulatedareasofconcerntoEPA.

Timeframe

DevelopfirstdraftofTechnicalGuidanceforincorporatingEJintoregulatorydevelopmentbyFY2012

DevelopfinaldraftofTechnicalGuidancebyFY2013 DevelopandrefinescreeningtoolsthatidentifyairrulesthatraisepotentialEJconcerns(FY

2011) Determinetheanalyticaltoolsaremostappropriateforparticulartypesofairrulemaking(FY

201112) IdentifyanyadditionalanalyticaltoolsthatmaybeneededtobetterunderstandtheEJ

implicationsofairrulemakings(FY201112) Hostcommunitybasedtoolsworkshop(s),RegionalToolsSummits,withfocuson

environmentaljusticeandhealthdisparitiestosolicitrecommendationstoinformEPAsactionsontoolsunderPlanEJ2014.(FY2012 2013)

DevelopfinalEnvironmentalQualityIndex(Longterm) TheCRAEJWizardisplannedforbetatestingbytheendof2011 FirstphaseoftheUrbanAtlaswillbecompletedinFY2013;incorporationofadditional

populatedareaswillbegininFY2012andFY2013,contingentuponfunding.Strategy2:Incorporateperspectivesfromcommunity basedorganizationsandcommunityleadersintoEPAresearchagendasandengagingincollaborativepartnershipsonscienceandresearchtoaddressenvironmentaljustice.AfewinitiativesarehighlightedheretobetterengagewithcommunitiesinEPAscienceactivitiesandimplementationofregulatoryprograms.Activity2.1:EstablishCommunityEngagementInitiativeTheOfficeofSolidWasteandEmergencyResponse(OSWER)haslaunchedtheCommunityEngagementInitiative(CEI),www.epa.gov/oswer/engagementinitiative/,whichisdesignedtoenhanceOSWERandregionaloffices'engagementwithlocalcommunitiesandstakeholders(e.g.,stateandlocalgovernments,tribes,academia,privateindustry,otherfederalagencies,nonprofitorganizations)tohelpthemmeaningfullyparticipateingovernmentdecisionsonlandcleanup,emergencypreparednessandresponse,andthemanagementofhazardoussubstancesandwaste.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011Activity2.2:ReengagewithNationalEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryCommitteeORDintendstoestablishahealthandresearchworkgrouporsubcommitteewithinNationalEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryCommittee(NEJAC)toadviseEPAAdministratorandORDintheareaofscientificresearch,healthimpactsandenvironmentalrisksandexposuresthatdirectlyrelatetoenvironmentaljustice. AninitialtaskoftheworkinggroupwillbetoadviseORDonthedevelopmentoftheSustainableandHealthCommunitiesResearchProgram.Activity2.3:SupportCommunitybasedParticipatoryResearchAdditionallyparticipatoryresearchmethodswillbeintegratedintoORDnewresearchprogramonSustainableandHealthyCommunitiesandnewextramuralresearchsolicitationstosupportCBPRareunderconsideration.AsignificantfeatureoftheSustainableandHealthCommunitiesResearchprogramwillbecommunityandregionalbasedprojects.ApplyingparticipatoryresearchmethodswillbethehallmarkofthisnewprogramwithinORD.BenefitstoEPAStakeholderCommunities Theseactionsareinagreementwithsuggestionsfromenvironmentaljusticestakeholdersto

integrateperspectivesfromcommunityresidentsandcommunityleadersinthedevelopmentofEPAsscientificresearchagendasaswellasindatacollection.

OSWERsCEIwillincludedirectoutreachtostateandlocalgovernments,tribes,academia,privateindustry,otherfederalagencies,nonprofitorganizations.TheCEIisdesignedtohelpstakeholdershavemeaningparticipationinEPAdecisionsonlandcleanup,emergencypreparednessandresponse,andthemanagementofhazardoussubstancesandwaste. ItwillalsoimproveOSWEReffortstoprotecthumanhealthandtheenvironmentthroughsitecleanupsandotherriskreductionactivities.

ReestablishingaNEJAChealthandresearchworkgrouporsubcommitteewouldprovideacriticallyneededformalmechanismforenvironmentaljusticestakeholders,communitybasedorganizationstoprovideinputandfeedbackintoEPA/ORDresearchinitiatives.Presently,ORDlacksanymechanismforpublicinputintoitsresearchagenda.IfconcernsaboutenvironmentalandhealthinequalitiesarenotonthetabletheywillbenotbeaddressedbytheEPAresearchenterprise.HoweveritmustberecognizedthataNEJACsubcommitteecannotbetheonlyapproachforsolicitingthecontributionofenvironmentaljusticestakeholders.ORDwillneedtoidentifyadditionalapproachesforsolicitinginputandcollaboratingwithEJstakeholders(e.g.throughregionaloutreach,theRAREprogram,andpartneringwithEPAprogramofficesandotherfederalagencies). Creatingformalmechanismsforreceivingstakeholderinputassuresthatcommunitywisdom,perspectivesandvaluesaredulyconsideredandaccommodatedinthedevelopmentofORDsnewprogram,andtheresults

of

such

program

that

will

subsequently

influence

decision

makingat

EPA.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011ImpactsonEPAprogramsandactivities NearlyalloftheOSWERprogramsandactivitieswillbeimpactedbythevariousCEIactions.

TheCEIisdesignedtoenhanceOSWERandregionaloffices'engagementwithlocalcommunitiesandstakeholders,andtohelpthemmeaningfullyparticipateingovernmentdecisionsonlandcleanup,emergencypreparednessandresponse,andthemanagementofhazardoussubstancesandwaste.

ThefirsttaskforthisNEJACworkgroupcouldbetoadviseORDondevelopingtheSustainableandHealthyCommunitiesResearchPrograminitiativewhichiscurrentlybeingdiscussed.Sincethisresearchprogramisinitsearlystagesofdevelopment,engagingaNEJACworkinggroupnowcouldbeextremelybeneficialtoORDtohelpsetthecourse,identifycriticalresearchquestionsthatshouldbeaddressedandhowbesttosolicitinputandpotentialpartnershipswithcommunitybasedorganizationandEJleaderssuchashostingpublicforumsontheSustainableCommunityEnvironmentsandPublicHealthresearchprogram.

Timeframe EachoftheCEIactionshasdefineddeliverablesandtimelinefortheircompletion. Nearlyallof

theactionshavesignificantdeliverablesdueinFY2011. Incorporateideasandconcernsfromstakeholdersandrepresentativesfrom

disproportionatelyimpactedcommunitiesandpopulations.(FY2011) EstablishaNEJACworkinggrouponresearchbyFY2012 IssuejointRFAorotherfundingmechanismtocollaboratewithNIHNationalInstituteMinority

HealthandHealthDisparitiestoestablishnationalresearchCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealthDisparities(FY2012)

Strategy3:Leveragepartnershipswithotherfederalagenciesonissuesofresearch,policyandactiontoaddressenvironmentalandhealthdisparities.Environmentaljusticeandrelatedconcernsforhealthinequalitiesarecomplexandmultidimensional. Solutionstothesesocietalproblemsrequireintersectoralandintergovernmentalactions. EnvironmentaljusticeisnotsolelyanEPAresponsibility,justashealthdisparitiescannotbeseensolelyasaDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesproblem.Atpresent,governmentalapproachtopromotingandmanaginghealthanditdeterminants,namelytheenvironment,isfragmented. Symposiumparticipatesrecognizedinordertoachieveenvironmentaljustice;multistakeholder,multisystemapproachisrequired.Withinthefederalfamily,weneedtostrengthenfederalinteragencycollaborationtoimproveresearchthatcanimpactenvironmentalandhealthpractice,programs,andpolicyandformulatesolutionsforcommunities.Activity3.1:JointheFederalCollaborationonHealthDisparitiesEPAsOfficeofResearchandDevelopment(ORD)willactivelyparticipateontheinteragencyFederalCollaborationonHealthDisparitiesandrepresentEPAontheExecutiveSteeringCommittee(http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/fchdr/).TheExecutiveCommitteeoftheFCHDRwascreatedtobringtogetherselectedagencyrepresentativestoseekpracticalsolutionstoadvancehealthdisparitiesresearch,andfostergreaterfederalcoordination,collaboration,and

12
http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/fchdrhttp://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/fchdr


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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011communicationaroundtheeliminationofhealthdisparities.FederalDepartmentsrepresentedontheExecutivecommitteeinclude:

DepartmentofEducation NationalInstituteonDisabilityandRehabilitationResearch DepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment DepartmentofJustice DepartmentofVeteransAffairs EnvironmentalProtectionAgency NationalScienceFoundation HHS,CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention HHS,HealthResourcesandServicesAdministration HHS,NationalInstituteforMinorityHealthandHealthDisparities HHS,OfficeofMinorityHealth

FCHDRsgoalistoensurethathealthdisparitiesresearchisconductedasanintegratedandinclusivefieldofstudy,ratherthanasanaggregateofindependentresearchactivitiesoccurringinseparateresearchdomains. FCHDRMemberswillworktogethertoexploreneedsandopportunitiesforpoolingscientificexpertiseandresourcestoconduct,translate,anddisseminateresearchmostneededtoacceleratetheeliminationofhealthdisparities.FCHDRGoalsandStrategiesareto:1. Identifyhealthdisparitieschallengesincludingthescientificandpracticalevidencemost

relevanttounderpinningfuturepolicyandaction;2. Increaseandmaintainawarenessaboutfederalgovernmenteffortsandopportunitiesto

addresshealthdisparities;3. Determinehowevidencecanbetranslatedintopracticetoaddresshealthdisparitiesand

promoteinnovation;4. Adviseonpossibleobjectivesandmeasuresforfutureresearch,buildingonthesuccessesandexperiencesofhealthdisparitiesexperts;and5. PublishreportsthatwillcontributetothedevelopmentoftheFCHDRstrategicvisionandplan.Activity3.2:EngagewithPresidentsTaskForceonEnvironmentalHealthRisksandSafetyRiskstoChildrenEPAsOfficeofAirandRadiation(OAR),OfficeofChildrensHealthProtection(OCHP),ORDandothersarecollaboratingandparticipatingwithotherfederalagenciesonthenewlyreestablishedPresidentsTaskForceonEnvironmentalHealthRisksandSafetyRiskstoChildren.Onefocalareaoftheirworkisonasthmadisparitiesamongminorityanddisadvantagedchildren.RecentlyinearlyDecember2010,aFederalWorkshoponAsthmaDisparitieswasheldinWashingtonDCtofosterinteragencycoordinationondevelopmentandimplementationofadetailedFederalActionPlantoaddressasthmadisparities.BenefitstoEPAStakeholderCommunities Morecoordinatedfederalapproachtoresearch,policyandactiontoaddressenvironmental

justicehealthdisparities.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011ImpactonEPAprogramsandactivities EPAsparticipationinthesethreefederalinitiativeswillidentifyandcreateopportunitiesto

combineresourcestotackleissuesofdisparitiesinhealthandaccesstocleanenvironments;andwillincreaseaccessandexposureofallEPAoffices,includingORD,tonontraditionalEPAdisciplinessuchassocialscienceandconceptssuchassocialdeterminantsofhealth.

Timeframe ORDsparticipationwiththeFederalCollaborationisongoing. ParticipationwithotherfederalagenciesonthePresidentsTaskForceonEnvironmental

HealthRisksandSafetyRiskstoChildrentoworkonasthmadisparitiesamongminorityanddisadvantagedchildrenthatcanbeaddressedthroughinteragencycoordinationondevelopmentandimplementationofadetailedFederalActionPlan(FY2011 2015).

Strategy4:BuildandstrengthenthetechnicalcapacityofEPAscientistsonconductingresearchandrelatedscienceactivitiesinpartnershipwithimpactedcommunitiesandtranslatingresearchresultstoinformchange.Concomitantwitheffortstoincreasetechnicalcapacityincommunities,EPAneedstobuildupitscapacitytoworkwithcommunitiesinorderforrealprogresstobemade. SeveralrecommendationsfromtheSymposiumaddressthisissue:trainEPAstaffoneffectiveoutreachanddialogwithcommunities; developcapacitywithintheagency;providetrainingforEPAriskassessorsandmanagersoncommunityengagement;considerusingqualitativeapproachesinriskassessment;multidisciplinaryteamsareneededtoworkonissues;encouragemultidisciplinaryteamsinenvironmentalhealthresearch;socialsciencedisciplineslikesocialepidemiologyindicatethatEPAneedstolookmoreatupstreamfactorssocialprocessesthatultimatelyprocessthedisparitiesinrisksandhealthoutcomes;exploreapproachesforinteractingwithcommunitiesthatcanbuildcollectiveefficacyandsocialcapital;supportparticipationofcommunitiesasequalpartnersinresearch;includethemasequalpartnersinthecoproductionofknowledge; andincludecommunityrepresentativesandperspectivesinthedesignofstudies/research.Activity4.1:ProvidetrainingtoEPAscientistsonCBPRBothORDandtheOfficeofSolidWasteandEmergencyResponse(OSWER)intendtoprovidetrainingtoscientistsonprinciplesofcommunitybasedparticipatoryresearch,healthdisparities,andenvironmentaljustice. Bothofficeswilllookforopportunitiestocollaborateonprovidingtrainingforstaff. Forexample,OSWERs CommunityInvolvementandProgramInitiativesBranch(CIPIB)sponsorsaCommunityInvolvementUniversity(CIU)toprovidetrainingcoursesforSuperfundProgramCommunityInvolvementCoordinators(CIC)andotherEPAandEPAaffiliatedstaff. Participantsareprovidedwiththenecessaryskills,techniques,andpracticestoengagethecommunityintheSuperfundprocess. CIUoffersavarietyofcourseseachyearatregionalofficesandatnationalconferencesortrainingevents.ThesecoursescouldbeofferedtoORDscientistsandmodifiedtoaddresscommunityengagementinmoreoftheresearchcontext.Inordertodesignappropriatecapacitytrainingprogram,ORDwillfirstevaluatecurrentunderstandingandresearchcapacityofORDsciencesregardingprinciplesofcommunitybased

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011participatoryresearch,healthdisparities,andenvironmentaljustice.ORDwillthendesignandimplementtrainingforitsstaff.Activity4.2:BuildSocialScienceCapacitywithinORDTheNationalCenterforEnvironmentalResearch(NCER)isdevelopinganORDresearchagendaforbehavioralandsocialsciencesastheyimpactandaffectenvironmentalprotectionaswellastheevolutionofenvironmentalpolicy.Environmentaljusticeconsiderationwillbecriticaltothisresearchagenda. ORDwillconductIndividualandfocusgroupinterviewsofbehavioralandsocialscienceexpertstosolicittheirthoughtsandidentifythemostrelevantcurrentresearchaswellasknowngapsinfourareas:behavioraleconomics,decisiontheory,managementscience,andriskperception.Followingtheexpertinterview,NCERwillhostaworkshopwiththescientificleaders(3050people)identifiedthroughtheinterviewphase.AdditionalNCERplanstoestablishacooperativeagreementwithaprofessionalsocietyconcernedwithapplyingthesocialscienceresearchtocontemporaryenvironmentalhealthissues. ThiseffortisintendedtohelpORDdeviseapproachesandmethodsfortrulyincorporatingthesocialsciencesinto

its

research

and

assessment

activities.

Activities

under

the

cooperative

agree

could

include:

ProvidingtrainingtoORDstaffonincorporatingqualitativeapproachesandsocialscience

methodsintocumulativeimpactsassessments; Developingapproachestoincorporatecommunityknowledgeinsuchtoolsforcumulative

impactassessments;and OfferingwebinarsandtrainingtocultivateanalyticalskillsamongORDstafftoexaminethe

socialandeconomicsystemsthatcreatecumulativeadverseenvironmentalimpactsincommunities.

Activity4.3:DevelopEJRiskManagementTrainingforOPPTheOfficeofPesticidePrograms(OPP)hascreatedanewtrainingmoduleasapartofitsregularstafftrainingprogramtoensurethatEJandsensitivepopulationconsiderationsarefullyincorporatedandmoreclearlycharacterizedinthepesticideriskassessmentprocess. Thetrainingmoduleconsistsoftwocomponents:(1)addressinggeneralbackgroundonenvironmentaljustice,and(2)integratingEJconsiderationsthroughOPPriskmanagementtoaddressEJissuesidentifiedbytheriskassessments.BenefitstoEPAStakeholderCommunities ImpactedcommunitiesandEJleadersshouldseeimprovedinteractionswithAgencyscientists. ThegoalofOPPstrainingistoprovidethetoolstobetteridentifypotentialenvironmental

justiceissues. Enhancedriskassessmentmethodologieswillresultfromacloserandmorefocusedlookatthetoxicityandexposurepatternsspecifictoeachpesticideandpesticideusethatcouldpresentadisproportionaterisk. Areasnowconsideredinpesticideriskassessment(hazardassessment,dietaryexposure,occupationalandresidentexposure,incidentdata)willbeconsideredthroughanEJlens.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011ImpactonEPAprogramsandactivities WeanticipatethatthecapacityofAgencyscientiststoconductresearchinpartnershipwith

impactedcommunities,tounderstandandemploysocialsciencemethodsinenvironmentalresearchandtranslateresearchresultstoinformchangewillbegreatlyimproved. ThiswillhelpORDsSustainableandHealthyCommunitiesResearchProgrammeetitsobjectives.

TheOPPtrainingprogramwillimprovehowEJisincorporatedbyriskmanagers.ThistrainingisexpectedtoinfluencepesticideregistrationandreregistrationdecisionstomorerobustlyincorporateEJconsiderations. Todate,tentrainingsessionsonthefirstcomponentandatotalof160OPPstaffcompletedthetraining.

Timeframe Hostscientisttoscienceworkshoponbehavioralandsocialsciences(lateFY2011). DesignaresearchcapacitytrainingprogramforORDscientistswhichcouldincludeselfpaced

trainingoncommunitybasedandparticipatoryresearchCBPRofferedbyMichiganPublicHealthTrainingCenterandjointcoursesthroughOSWERsCommunityInvolvementUniversity(FY20122013).

OPPwillcompletethenewmoduleonriskmanagementtrainingbyearlyFY2012.Thegoalwillbetohave100%riskassessorsandmanagerstrainedbytheendofFY2012.

Strategy5:Buildandstrengthentechnicalcapacityofcommunity basedorganizationsandcommunityenvironmentaljusticeandhealthleadersCommunitycapacityhasbeendefinedasasetofdynamiccommunitytraits,resources,andassociationalpatternsthatcanbebroughttobearforcommunitybuildingandcommunityhealthimprovement(Nortonetal2002). Communitycapacitybuildingareactivitiesdesignedtoincreasecommunitycapacityandemphasizes(1)assetsandempowerment(versusdiseaseanddeficiency);(2)theroleofbottomup,communitydeterminedprocessesandagendas(versustopdown/externallydeterminedones);and(3)theprocessesfordevelopingcommunitycompetence.ThecommissionedpaperoncommunitycapacitypresentedattheMarch2010Symposiumidentifiedimportantdomainsofactiontostrengthencommunitycapacity,includingleadership,participation,skills,resources,socialandorganizationalnetworks,senseofcommunity,andunderstandingofcommunityhistory,communitypower,communityvalues,communitycohesion,languagecapacity,andcommunityinformation.(Seehttp://www.epa.gov/ncer/events/calendar/2010/mar17/papers.html)Inaddressingallofthesedomainsstrategiesforenhancingcommunitycapacitymayincludetrainingandtechnologytransfer,technicalassistance,communitybasedparticipatoryresearch,empowermentapproaches,andcommunityorganizing/socialaction. Commissionedpaperauthorsnotedthatcapacitybuildingstrategiesthatgivemorecontroltocommunities(e.g.,CBPR,empowerment,andcommunityorganizing)maymorefullyaddressthefundamentalcausesofenvironmentaldisparitiesthanmoreagencycontrolledprocesses(e.g.,trainingandtechnicalassistance).(Seehttp://www.epa.gov/ncer/events/calendar/2010/mar17/presentations/freudenberg.pdf)

16
http://www.epa.gov/ncer/events/calendar/2010/mar17/papers.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/ncer/events/calendar/2010/mar17/presentations/freudenberg.pdfhttp://www.epa.gov/ncer/events/calendar/2010/mar17/papers.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/ncer/events/calendar/2010/mar17/presentations/freudenberg.pdf


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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011Thesecommunitydrivenstrategiesaremorelaborandresourceintensiveandrequireahigherlevelofcommitmentfromcommunities,researchersandagencies,aswellasanewsetofcapabilitiesonthepartofagencypersonnelwithregardtotheskillsneededto,forexample,facilitatemeetings,communicateclearly,andcreateanatmosphereofinquiryandtrust.Inordertomoreeffectivelyreducedisparateenvironmentalexposureandengagethepublicinmakingenvironmentalpolicydecisions,EPAmustengagerelevantconstituenciesinparticipationprocessesearly,providetheseconstituencieswiththeresourcesandinformationthatcancontributetoeffectiveparticipation,andensurethattheoutcomesreflectparticipation.Specifically,helpingcommunitiesdevelopthecapacitiestocreate,access,useandinterpretscientificinformationandchangingagencypracticestobetterincorporatecommunityvoicesinscientificactivitiesanddecisionswillbeakeyandpropertaskforEPA. EPAthereforeproposesthefollowingactionstoestablishprogramsandprovidefederalgovernmentsupporttoincreasetechnicalandscientificcapacityincommunities.Activity5.1:BuildAwarenessandCommunityCapacitytoAddressAsthmaDisparitiesIn

response

to

the

growing

asthma

problem

where

minority,

low

incomeand

indigenous

populationsaredisproportionatelyaffected,theEPAsOfficeorAirandRadiation(OAR)establishedtheAsthmaProgramtopromotescientificunderstandingofenvironmentalasthmatriggersandwaystomanagethem.Theprogramcollaborateswithpartnerstosupportresearchandeducatethepublicaboutasthmaandwaystomanageenvironmentaltriggers.Partnersincludegovernmentagencies,universitiesandresearchcenters,thehealthcarecommunity,nonprofitorganizations,andcommunityprograms.MajorprogramactivitiescenteraroundtheCommunitiesinActionforAsthmaFriendlyEnvironmentsinitiative,andincludesupportforrealtimepeertopeerlearning,technologytransferandresourcesforcommunitybasedasthmaprogramsthroughanonlinenetwork(www.AsthmaCommunityNetwork.org),pacingevents(NationalAsthmaForum,regionaleventsandwebinars),andsupporttononprofitorganizationsfocusedonhealthcareprovidertraining,improvingschoolenvironmentsandraisingpublicawarenessaboutasthma.Activity5.2:BuildTribalCommunityCapacitytoMonitorAirQualityOARhasalonghistoryofsupportingcapacitybuildingamongtribalenvironmentalprofessionals,primarilythroughitspartnershipwiththeInstituteforTribalEnvironmentalProfessionals(ITEP)atNorthernArizonaUniversity,whichOARhassupportedforover15years. Consistentwithourtrustresponsibilitytotribes,OARworkswithTribestoincreasetheircapabilitytoaddresstheirenvironmentalconcerns.OARsupportsthetrainingandeducationaleffortsofITEPintheareasofairqualityandclimatechangeimpactsandadaptationplanning,aswellastheworkoftheTribalAirMonitoringSupport(TAMS)Center,whichbuildsandstrengthensthetechnicalcapacityoftribalstaff.Activity5.3:IncreaseCitizenParticipationinScienceandDecisionsORDproposestocreateaprogram,inpartnershipwithothergovernmentalagencies,privatenonprofits,professionalsocietiesandprivatefoundations,todevelopthecapacityofcommunityleaderstounderstandtheroleofscienceindecisionmakingandinfluencethedecisionmaking

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011processandontheuseofdataandotherinformationtodocumentdisparitiesandconcernsintheircommunities.Activity5.4:EstablishCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealthDisparitiesSeveralnewextramuralresearchsolicitationsareunderconsiderationtofundresearchthataddressspecificresearchneedsandtopicsraisedattheMarch2010SymposiumandthatfullyemployCBPRapproachessuchasestablishingCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealthDisparities.TheaimfortheseCenterswillbetoexaminethejointimpactsofsocialandphysicalenvironmentalconditionsandprocessesonhealth,linkwithcommunityhealthclinicstoincreasetheircapacitytoaddressoccupationalandenvironmentalhealthconcernsoftheirconstituents,anddesignpolicysolutionstoameliorateandpreventdisparities.Activity5.5:Builddiverseenvironmentalworkforceandenhancingthecapacitiesofminorityacademicinstitutions(MAI)toengageinscientificresearchandworkforcetrainingTheNationalCenterforEnvironmentalResearchs(NCER)FellowshipProgramisimplementingseveralinitiativestostrengthenEPAeffortstoencourageandsupportEJresearchamongthenextgenerationofenvironmentalscientistsandengineers. Forexample,EnvironmentalJusticeResearchtopicsarehighlightedintheSciencetoAchieveResearch(STAR)FellowshipsRFAandenvironmentaljusticeconsiderationshavebeenincludedasreviewcriteriaunder"BroaderSocietalImpacts"forallfellowshipapplications.AspartoftheGreaterResearchOpportunities(GRO)fellowship,NCERhasagoalofenhancingcapacityatacademicinstitutionsthatarenotwellfundedforenvironmentalresearchcapacity,includingHBCUs.ORDconsidersineligiblethoseinstitutionsidentifiedasreceivingmorethan$35millioninannualfederalresearch.NCERhasincreasedresourcesallottedtotheGROprogramtoincreaseGROfundedstudentswhichcanenhanceoureffortsinthisarea.TheOfficeofSolidWasteandEmergencyResponse(OSWER)willsupportresearchthroughtheFacultyandStudentTeams(FaST)Program,acooperativeeffortbetweentheDepartmentofEnergy(DOE)OfficeofScienceandtheNationalScienceFoundation(NSF). Facultyfromcollegesanduniversitieswithlimitedresearchfacilitiesandthoseinstitutionsservingpopulations,womenandminoritiesunderrepresentedinthefieldsofscience,engineering,andtechnologyareencouragedtoapplyfortheFaSTprogram. TheFaSTprogramwillsupportateamcomprisedofonefacultymemberandtwotothreeundergraduatestudents. TheprogramprovideshandsonresearchopportunitiesinDOEorEPAnationallaboratoriesduringthesummer. Thefacultymemberidentifiesamutuallybeneficialresearchareaamenabletocollaborationbythefacultymemberandthelaboratoryscientist.EPARegion6UniversityCommunityPartnershipsinitiativewillfacilitateandnurtureapartnershipbetweenuniversitiesandcommunitygroupstoincreasevulnerablecommunitiescapacitytoaddresstheirenvironmentalchallengesthroughtechnicalassistance.MemorandumsofUnderstanding(MOU)areinplacebetweenEPARegion6andtheUniversityofTexasElPaso(UTEP)andEPARegion6,EPAsOfficeofWaterandTexasA&MKingsville.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011BenefitstoEPAStakeholderCommunities Thesecapacitybuildingactionscanhelpthepublictoaddressenvironmentalhealthissuesand

toallowthemtoeffectivelyparticipateinenvironmentalhealthdecisionmakingandwillincreasedconfidencethatconcernsaboutthepowerdynamicsbetweenacademic,governmentresearchers,andcommunitieswillbetakenseriously.

ActionsundertakenbytheAsthmaProgramwillequipstakeholdercommunitiesandorganizationstoassess,organizeandsustainablydeploycommunityresourcestoreduceoreliminateexposuretoasthmatriggers,andimprovehealthoutcomesandthequalityoflifeforpeoplewithasthma. Theactionshelpsupportandstrengthenthecapacityofhealthcareandenvironmentalprofessionals,schools,andcommunitybasedorganizationstodevelopcomprehensiveasthmacarestrategiesinpartnershipwithimpactedcommunitiesandtospreadtheirresultstoaccelerateimprovementsacrossthenationalasthmacarelandscape.

ThroughthepartnershipwithITEP,tribesarebetterabletofashiontheirownresponsestoenvironmentalissuesincludingclimatechange,andhaveabetterunderstandingofhowtheycaneffectivelyparticipateintheenvironmentaldecisionmakingoffederal,stateandlocalregulatoryagencies.

Research

through

the

proposed

Centers

of

Excellence

will

be

specially

aimed

at

benefiting

disadvantaged,undeserved,andenvironmentallyoverburdenedcommunitiesorgroups.

RequiringNCERfellowshipapplicantstoconsiderandexplaintheEJimplicationsoftheirresearchwillhelpdevelopanewgenerationofenvironmentalscientists,engineers,andpolicymakerswhoarecognizantofEJrelatedissuesthatcanariseinresearchandthusadjustapproachesaccordinglytopromotebroadenvironmentalprotection.

IncreasingthereachoftheGROprogramwillpromoteresearchandtrainingatMinorityServingInstitutions(MSIs)whichmayhavespecialexpertiseonEJmatters.

ThroughtheRegion6partnershipswithUniversityofTexasandTexasA&MKingsville,EPAwillincreaseknowledgeaboutbestapproachesforcommunityuniversitypartnerships.

ImpactonEPAprogramsandactivities TheCommunitiesinActioninitiativeandtheonlineNetwork,AsthmaCommunityNetworkwill

surfaceimportant,fieldtestedcommunitystrategiesthattheAsthmaProgramwillusetobolstertheAgencysnationalasthmaeducationandoutreachefforts.

Whentribalperspectivesareeffectivelycommunicated,EPAismorecognizantofTribalissuesandisabletomakemoreinformedandresponsivedecisionsconcerningitsrules,programsandpolicies. Astribestakemoreresponsibilityforimplementingairprograms,EPAmaybeabletoreducesomeofitsimplementationefforts.

TheproposedresearchorientedactivitieswillhelpinstituteprogramdevelopmentandstrategicinstitutionalchangewithinEPA. ThegoalistoincreasedemocratizationintheconductofandcommunityaccesstoEPA/ORDresearch. Theproposedactivitieswillproduce:(1)consistentandvalidatedprinciplesofcommunityengagementinresearchforORDandEPAprograms;(2)improvedscienceandresearchresultsthataremorerelevanttoenvironmentalproblemsfacedbythepublicandmoreeffectivelytranslatedtoinformpolicychangeandintervention;and(3)inclusionofEJconsiderationsasreviewcriteriacanserveasamodelforothercompetitionbasedEPAprograms. TheseresultswillpromoteaculturethatconsidersEJimplicationsinallagenciesfundingactionsandactivities.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011 TheprocessofincreasingthereachoftheGROprogramwilltranslateintostrongeroutreach

toMSIsandhighlightthecriticalroleMSIsplayinthenation'sresearchanddevelopmententerprisetosolvepressingenvironmentalprotectionchallenges.

TheintentofRegion6sexistingMOUsareto:(1)improvethequalityofenvironmentalscienceandtechnicaleducation;(2)increasetherelevanceofUTEPresearchprojectstoEPAsenvironmentalandpublichealthmission;and(3)increasenumberofculturallydiversestudentselectingtopursuegraduatestudyandresearchcareersinareasincludingscience,engineering,andmathematics. ItisexpectedthatUTEPscapacitytodevelopenvironmentalspecialistsforpotentialEPAemploymentwillbesignificantlyenhancedwhileimportantcontributionswillbemadetoEPAsoverallresearchanddevelopmentalprograms.

Timeframe Supportandgrowanonlinecommunitynetworkofstakeholders,thatservesasarealtime

resourceformentoringandcollaborationtosupportcommunityasthmamanagementprograms(FY2011andongoing)

Developwebbasedtoolsthatfacilitatecollaboration,problemsolving,andlearningamongleadersofasthmaprograms(FY2011andongoing)

FacilitateknowledgetransferamongstakeholdersthroughEPAsponsorshipofpacingeventsincludingtheNationalAsthmaForum,regionaleventsandwebinarsforcommunitybasedasthmaprograms(FY2011andongoing)

Trainhealthcareprofessionalstoimprovetheirabilitytointegratetheassessmentofenvironmentalfactorsintoacomprehensive,culturallyappropriateasthmacareplan,basedonnationalstandardsofcare.(FY2011andongoing)

ContinuefundingforITEPandtheTAMSCenter(ongoing) ContinueOARinvolvementindevelopingITEPscurriculumandtraining,andoversightofthe

TAMSCenter(ongoing) Instituteapilotprogramonmeetthedecisionmakersonenvironmentalhealthand

environmentaljusticethatwouldaccommodateupto15communityleaders(FY2013) IssuejointRFAorotherfundingmechanismtocollaboratewithNIHNationalInstituteMinority

HealthandHealthDisparitiestoestablishnationalresearchCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealthDisparities(FY2012)

HighlightEnvironmentalJusticeResearchtopics intheSciencetoAchieveResearch(STAR)FellowshipsRFA(ongoing)

2.3 CommunityEngagementandStakeholderPartnershipPlanCommunityoutreachandengagementplansareintegratedintotheindividualscienceactionsdescribedabove.ThemostsignificantscienceactionsthatwillincludecommunityoutreachandpartnershipsareORDsSustainableandHealthCommunitiesResearchProgram,OSWERsCommunityEngagementInitiativeandtheextramuralresearchfundingunderconsideration.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,20113.0 DELIVERABLESStrategy1:Applyintegratedtrans disciplinaryandcommunity basedparticipatoryresearchapproacheswithafocusonaddressingmulti media,cumulativeimpactsandequityinenvironmentalhealth.

ACTIVITIES DELIVERABLES MILESTONESActivity#1.1:Establishan Researchprogramframework February,2011IntegratedTransdisciplinary developed(ORD SHCRPTeam)ORDResearchProgramonEnvironmentandCommunity RegionallisteningsessionstogatherHealthSustainableandHealthyCommunities

inputfromcommunities. Incorporateideasandconcernsfromstakeholders Spring2011

ResearchProgram andrepresentativesfromdisproportionatelyimpactedcommunitiesandpopulations(ORD SHCRPTeam)

RFAtosupportExtramuralresearch onTribalCommunityHealth(ORDNCER)

RFAtosupportExtramuralresearchtosupportCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealthDisparities(ORDNCER)

FY2012

FY2012

Activity#1.2:Developtechnicalguidance,analyticmethods,toolsanddatatoadvancetheintegrationofenvironmentaljusticeinEPAdecisionmaking

EJTechnicalGuideforregulatoryassessments(ORD,OEJ,OP)

EnvironmentalJusticeWizard(theCRAEJWizard)(ORD NERLandOSA)

EnvironmentalQualityIndexTool(ORDNHEERL)

RegionalToolsSummits(ORD OSPandSHCRPTeam)

EJscreeningtoolsforairrules(OAR) UrbanAtlas(ORDNHEERL)

FirstdraftbyFY2012

EarlyFY2012 Longterm

FY20122013 FY20112012 FirstphaseoftheUrban

AtlaswillbecompletedinFY13

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011Strategy2:Incorporateperspectivesfromcommunity basedorganizationsandcommunityleadersintoEPAresearchagendasandengagingincollaborativepartnershipsonscienceandresearchtoaddressenvironmentaljustice.

ACTIVITIES DELIVERABLES MILESTONESActivity#2.1:EstablishCommunityEngagementInitiative(OSWER)

ConducttrainingofOSWERstaffonCBPR(OSWER)

Ongoing

Activity#2.2:Reengage Establisharesearchworkinggroup FY2012NationalEnvironmental underNEJACtoadviseORDontheJusticeAdvisoryCommittee developmentoftheSustainableand

HealthCommunitiesResearchProgram.(ORD NCERandOSP;OEJ)

Activity#2.3:Support RFAtosupportextramuralresearch on FY2012CommunityBased TribalCommunity (ORDNCER)ParticipatoryResearch

RFAtofundExtramuralresearchtosupportCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealthDisparities(ORDNCER)Regionallisteningsessionstogatherinputfromcommunities. Incorporateideasandconcernsfromstakeholdersandrepresentativesfromdisproportionatelyimpactedcommunitiesandpopulations (ORD RickLinthurstandSHCRPTeam)

FY2012

Spring2011

Strategy3:Leveragepartnershipswithotherfederalagenciesonissuesofresearch,policyandactiontoaddressenvironmentalandhealthdisparities.

ACTIVITIES DELIVERABLES MILESTONESActivity#3.1:JointheFederalCollaborationonHealthDisparities

Potentialcollaborationonresearchfundingwithsisterfederalagencies;better

coordination

of

research

needs

onhealthdisparitiesacrossfederalgovernment.(ORD)

Ongoing

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011Strategy5:Buildandstrengthentechnicalcapacityofcommunity basedorganizationsandcommunityenvironmentaljusticeandhealthleaders

ACTIVITIES DELIVERABLES MILESTONESActivity#5.1:Build Establishanonlinecommunitynetwork FY2011andongoingCommunityCapacityto availabletostakeholdersasayearAddressAsthmaDisparities roundresourceformentoringandcollaborationanddesignedtosupport

communityasthmamanagementprograms(OAR)

Developwebbasedtoolsthatfacilitatecollaboration,problemsolving,andlearningamongleadersofasthmaprograms(OAR)

HostingtheNationalAsthmaForumandAwardsProgramandregionalpacingeventsforcommunitybasedprograms(OAR)

Trainhealthcareprofessionals,toimprovetheirabilitytointegratetheassessmentofenvironmentalfactorsintoacomprehensive,culturallyappropriateasthmacareplan,basedonnationalstandardsofcare(OAR)

FY2011andongoing

FY

2011

and

ongoing

FY2011andongoing

Activity#5.2:BuildTribalCommunityCapacitytoMonitorAirQuality

ContinuefundingforITEPandtheTAMS

Center

(OAR)

Ongoing

Activity#5.3:IncreaseCitizen Cooperativeagreementtosupporta FY2013ParticipationinScienceand citizenscientistfellowshipprogramaDecisions meetthedecisionmakerson

environmentalhealthandenvironmentaljustice (ORD NCER)

Activity#5.4: Establish RFAtosupportExtramuralresearchto FY2012CentersofExcellenceon supportCentersofExcellenceonEnvironmentandHealth EnvironmentandHealthDisparitiesDisparities (ORDNCER)

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011

ACTIVITIES DELIVERABLES MILESTONESActivity#5.5: Builddiverse Highlightenvironmentaljustice Completedandongoingenvironmentalworkforceand researchtopicsintheSciencetoenhancingthecapacitiesof AchieveResearch(STAR)Fellowshipsminorityacademic RFA.Includeenvironmentaljusticeinstitutions(MAI)toengage considerations asreviewcriteriaunderinscientificresearchand "BroaderSocietalImpacts"forallworkforcetraining fellowshipapplications(ORDNCR)

SupportresearchthroughtheFaSTProgramandprovideuniversityfacultyandstudentstohavehandsonresearchopportunitiesinDOEorEPAnationallaboratories(OSWER)

EstablishaUniversityCommunityPartnershipsinitiative toprovidetechnicalassistancetolocalcommunitygroupsandincreasenumberofculturallydiversestudentselectingtopursuegraduatestudyandresearchcareers(Region6)

Ongoing

TBD

3.2 ReportsThereisnooverallreportingplanforthescienceactivitiesatthistime.Howeverprogramreportingmayoccurbytheindividualprogramofficesresponsibleforeachactivity. Forinformation,pleasecontact:DevonPayneSturges,7033478055,[email protected],2025649839,[email protected].

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,20114.0 APPENDICESAppendixA:ReferencesCSDH(2008).Closingthegapinageneration:healthequitythroughactiononthesocialdeterminantsofhealth.FinalReportoftheCommissiononSocialDeterminantsofHealth.Geneva,WorldHealthOrganization.GeeGCandPayneSturgesDC.2004.EnvironmentalHealthDisparities:AFrameworkIntegratingPsychosocialandEnvironmentalConcepts.EnvironmentalHealthPerspectives.VOLUME11,NUMBER17.pp16451653.KriegerN.2001. Theoriesforsocialepidemiologyinthe21stcentury:anecosocialperspective.InternationalJournalofEpidemiology. Vol30:pp668 677.HabermannMandGouveiaN.2008.EnvironmentalJustice:anecossocialhealthapproach.RevSadePblica42(6).Pp17.MorelloFroschRA.2002.Discriminationandthepoliticaleconomyofenvironmentalinequality.EnvironmentandPlanningC:GovernmentandPolicy.volume20,pages477496MorelloFroschR. ShenassaED.2006.TheEnvironmentalRiskscapeandSocialInequality:ImplicationsforExplainingMaternalandChildHealthDisparitiesEnvironmentalHealthPerspectivesVOLUME114.NUMBER8.Pp.11501153.NortonB.McleroyK,BurdineJ,FelixM,DorseyA.2002.Communitycapacity:Concept,theoryandmethods,inDiClementeR,CrosbyR,KeglerMeds.EmergingTheoriesinHealthPromotionPracticeandResearch.SanFrancisco:JosseyBass;2002.SchulzAJ,WilliamsDR,IsraelBA,LempertLB.2002.RacialandSpatialRelationsasFundamentalDeterminantsofHealthinDetroit.TheMilbankQuarterly,Vol.80,No.4.pp677707WakefieldS.E.L.andBaxterJ.2010.LinkingHealthInequalityandEnvironmentalJustice:ArticulatingaPrecautionaryFrameworkforResearchandActionENVIRONMENTALJUSTICEVolume3,Number3.pp95 102.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011AppendixB:AcronymsCBPRCommunityBasedParticipatoryResearchNCERNationalCenterforEnvironmentalResearchNEJACNationalEnvironmentalJusticeAdvisoryCommitteeNERLNationalExposureResearchLaboratoryNHEERLNationalHealthandEnvironmentalEffectsResearchLaboratoryOCHP OfficeofChildrensHealthProtectionOPPOfficeofPesticideProgramsORDOfficeofResearchandDevelopment.OSAOfficeoftheScienceAdvisorOSWEROfficeofSolidWasteandEmergencyResponseRARERegionalAppliedResearchEffortProgramFCHDRFederalCollaborationonHealthDisparities

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011AppendixCScienceRecommendationsfromtheMarch2010Symposium

DisproportionateImpactsSymposiumMarch1719,2010

RecommendationsfromtheSymposiumParticipantsScience:

Symposium participants recommended several actions to reduce research or data gaps,overcome limitations in the theories and methods for conducting environmental research,

particularly research supported by Federal government, and limitations in practice of risk

assessment. The science recommendations are described below. The first sentence is a summary

statement meant to capture the main points of the individual recommendations from the Symposium

that follow, including recommendations from the EJ Caucus letter that was sent to Lisa Garcia,

Senior Advisor to EPA Administrator for Environmental Justice.

1.Createandinstituteanewscientificresearchapproachtodevelopmoreholisticunderstandingofenvironmentandhealth.Oneofthepotentialoutcomesofthisnewframeworkistoinformenvironmentalpoliciesrelatedtoenvironmentaljusticeandaddressenvironmentalhealthdisparities.SeveralrecommendationsfromthesymposiumpointtoEPAtoadoptamoreholisticviewoftheenvironmentandtheimpactsonpopulationhealth:EPA/ORDsresearchagendaneedstobereframed,inequalityandinequityneedstobeapartofthediscussion[andresearch];thereneedstobeashifttonotonlylookatrisksandexposures,buttoconsiderrootandfundamentalcauses,needtostartwhereit(inequality)begins;EPAlikestostarttheanalysisandresearchatalevelthatdoesnotaddressthehistoryandrootcausesofhealthendpoints,risksandexposures; analyzetheenvironmentinabroadercontext,evaluatetheinteractionbetweenthesocialandthephysicalenvironments; abetterframeworkisneededforcombiningphysicalandpsychosocialscienceinresearchandpractice;usesocialdeterminantsofhealthandhealthdisparitiesresearchframeworktoconductresearchoncumulativeimpacts/risks;encouragemultidisciplinaryteamsinenvironmentalhealthresearch;developthescienceofinteractiveeffects;socialsciencedisciplineslikesocialepidemiologyindicatethatEPAneedstolookmoreatupstreamfactorssocialprocessesthatultimatelyprocessthedisparitiesinrisksandhealthoutcomes;developmeasuresforthesocialenvironment;testthevalidityofavailablevulnerabilityindicesandtools;encouragemultidisciplinaryapproachtoresearchandanalysis;addresstheroleofinstitutionalizedracisminpoorcommunityenvironmentalhealth;encouragetheconsiderationofenvironmentaljusticeinlanduseplanning;andconductresearchwithdirectpolicyimplications notresearchforthesakeofresearch.Further,theEJCaucusparticipantsrecommendthatEPAshoulddevelopaplantoensureincorporationoftheconceptofvulnerability,particularlyitssocialandculturalaspectsintheAgencysresearchagendasandinconsultationwithEJconstituencies,incorporatecommunityprinciplesinitsfundingguidelinesforresearchinenvironmentalhealthandplannedandexistingactionsthatadverselyimpactpublichealthandqualityoflife.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,20112.Integrateperspectivesfromdecisionmakerssuchascommunityresidents,communityleaders,communitybasedNGOSandcommunityhealthandenvironmentalqualityadvocatesinthedevelopmentofEPAsscientificresearchagendasaswellasindatacollection,conductofexposure/riskassessmentsandriskmanagementdecisions.AcommonrecommendationarticulatedinboththeEJCaucusletterandthroughdiscussionstheSymposiumistheneedtoincorporatecommunityperspectivesinthedevelopmentofEPAsscience/researchagendasandintheconductofexposure/riskassessments.SignatoriestotheEJCaucusletterrecommendthatEPAandotherpubliclyfundedresearchrequiretheexpertiseofenvironmentaljusticecommunitiesintheresearchdesign,implementation,recommendationsandprogrammaticdesignthatmayresultfromtheresearchandEPAshoulddevelopaplantoensureincorporationoftheconceptofvulnerability,particularlyitssocialandculturalaspectsintheAgencysresearchagendas. RelatedrecommendationsfromtheSymposiumstateincludecommunityrepresentativesandperspectivesinthedesignofstudies/research;communitieswouldliketobeinvolvedasEPAsetsitsresearchprioritiesandagendaaswellastheregulatoryagendaandpriorities;andthereneedstobearesearchworkgroupformedwithintheNEJAC.AlthoughthefollowingrecommendationsfromtheSymposiumstemfromdiscussionsonregulatoryactionsandcapacitybuilding,theyalsosuggestthatEPA/ORDneedstoapproachitsresearchplanninganditscontributionstothedevelopmentofAgencyriskassessmentguidancedifferently:createeffectivemechanismstolistentocommunityconcerns;developculturallycompetentoutreachprocesses.Hirelocalcommunityfolkswithculturalexpertiseandcommunityknowledge;andimproveincorporationofexposureinformationforsmallercommunitiesandpopulationgroupsinnationalriskassessments.3.CreateEPAfundingmechanismsforcommunitybasedparticipatoryresearch(CBPR)andtransdisciplinaryresearch,withaspecificfocusonstudiesthatwillbenefitdisadvantaged,undeserved,andenvironmentallyoverburdenedcommunitiesorgroups.TheEJCaucusletterstatesthataffectedcommunitiesneedtobeinvolvedintheconductofresearchtoinsurethatthatresultsaredisseminatedinaneffectiveandunderstandablemannerandthatresearchrecommendationsarereviewedbythecommunity.SimilarrecommendationsweremadeattheSymposiumincludingsupport/fundcommunityoriginatedandownedresearch;increasesupport/fundingforcommunitybasedparticipatoryresearch;supportparticipationofcommunitiesasequalpartnersinresearch;includethemasequalpartnersinthecoproductionofknowledge;includecommunityrepresentativesandperspectivesinthedesignofstudies/research.Further,EJCaucusletterrecommendsthatEPAshouldalsodevelopasetofguidelinesforfederalenvironmentalhealthresearchthatwouldrequirecommunityparticipationwithbindingethicalandTitleVIguidelinesforfederallyfundedresearchersinEJcommunitiesandtribalnations.Thisis

consistent

with

comments

raised

at

the

symposium

encouraging

federal

funders

of

University

researcherstoaddresstheunequalpowerdynamicthatoftenarisesbetweenUniversitiesandimpactedcommunitiesthataresubjectofenvironmentalandpublichealthresearch.4.Collaboratewithotherfederalgovernmentagenciesonresearch,policymakingandotherkindsofactionstoaddressenvironmentalhealthdisparities.Manycommentsweremadeabouttheneedtostrengtheninteragencyefforts: toaddressEJ,needinteragencycollaboration;

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,2011governmentapproachtopromotingandmanaginghealthisfragmented;agenciesneedtoworktogethertoformulatesolutionsforcommunities;otheragenciesshouldintegrateEJinalltheiractivities.5.Enhancethecapacitiesofminorityacademicinstitutions(MAI)toengageinscientificresearchandworkforcetraining.Forinstance,helpMAIinstitutionstoprovidetrainingopportunitiesforminoritystudentsinrelevantscientificdisciplines. SeveralstatementsweremadeattheSymposiumthattherewasalackofdiversityintheacademicinstitutionsrepresentedatthemeetingandaspresenters.HBCUsneedtobeinvolvedinthisnewandexpandedareaofresearchonenvironmentalhealthdisparities.6.Developandimplementamultimediaapproachtocumulativecontaminationexposuresinenvironmentaljusticecommunities.Restructurerisksassessmentpracticetobetteraccountformultistressorsthatcumulativelyimpactcommunityandpopulationhealthandrecognizethattheconceptsthatvulnerabilityandhealthdisparitiesareinterrelated.TheserecommendationsfromtheEJCaucusletterechomanyoftheconcernsandotherrecommendationsraisedattheSymposiumonthetopicofcumulativeimpacts.CommentsfromtheSymposiumincludecommunitiesseetheirenvironmentasawholenotpieces.;EPAneedstoaddresstheissueofnonconcordancebetweenriskassessmentresultsandcommunityexperience;vulnerabilityshouldbeanintegralpartofcumulativeriskassessmentevenitmustbeanalyzedusingqualitativemeasures;incorporatesocialvulnerabilities andculturalrisksinriskassessmentsandcumulativerisks/impactassessments;incorporatebackgroundriskinriskassessment;considerusingqualitativeapproachesinriskassessment;adoptaqualityoflifeapproach;riskassessmentshouldmoveawayfromindividuallifestylestoonethatconsidersthesocialcontext;focusonhealthandwellbeingasopposedtorisk,illnessanddeath; EPAshouldrecognizethatstressorsincommunitiesthatareunaccountedforarenotconsideredinriskassessments;adoptasystemsapproachtoriskassessmentanddecisionmaking;andEPAshoulduseinformationoncumulativeimpactsinallitsdecisions.7. Establishprogramsandprovidefederalgovernmentsupporttoincreasetechnicalandscientificcapacityincommunities.Thiscapacitybuildingcanhelpthepublictoaddressenvironmentalhealthissuesandtoallowthemtoeffectivelyparticipateinenvironmentalhealthdecisionmaking.TheEJCaucusletterrecommendsthatgrant/fundingprogramsbeexpandedtoprovidesupportdirectlytoEJcommunities,EJorganizationsandnetworks,TribesandNativeorganizationstoassessandactonEJissues.AdditionallySymposiumparticipantsadvocatedthatEPA includecommunitybasedorganizations,leadersandresidentsinthecoproductionofknowledgeandthescientificbasesforenvironmentaldecisionmaking;makeresources

available

to

develop

technical

skills

of

community

leaders

on

science

and

decisions;

developtechnicalexpertisewithinthecommunities;andcommitresourcestodevelopnetworksandcenters/consortiawithuniversitiestosupportcommunitygroupswithtechnicalmattersandparticipationindecisionmaking.

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PlanEJ2104:ScienceToolsDevelopment DraftImplementationPlan,March1,20118.Developanalyticandassessmenttools,anddatacollectionapproachesthatcouldbeusedbycommunityhealthadvocatesandEJgroups. Availabilityofappropriatetoolsandtrainingonuseofsuchtoolswouldalsohelpincreasetechnicalcapacityofcommunities.Forexamplerecommendationsincludeworkwithlocalgovernmentstoprovideaccesstodatasources;influencetheir[localgovernments]datacollectionapproaches;developmappingtoolsthatcommunitiescanuse;encouragecommunityengagementinthecollectionofdatabygovernment;exploretheapproachofusingcommunitiestocollectdatatoovercomelimitationsofgovernmentdatasuchasprivacyissuesandpoorgeospatialresolution;and developzoningmapsthatareaccessibletocommunities;regionalcouncilsofgovernmentcanprovideaccuratecityleveldataforcommunityresearch.9.BuildcapacitiesandskillsamongEPA/ORDstaffandscientiststoconductresearchandothersciencerelatedactivitiesinequalpartnershipwithimpactedcommunities.ThisstepmustincludediversifyingEPAstechnicalandscientificexpertiseinthesocialsciences. Concomitantwitheffortstoincreasetechnicalcapacityincommunities,EPA/ORDneedstobuildupitscapacitytoworkwithcommunitiesinorderforrealprogresstobemade.SeveralrecommendationsfromtheSymposiumaddressthisissue:trainEPAstaffoneffectiveoutreachanddialogwithcommunities; developcapacitywithintheagency;providetrainingforEPAriskassessorsandmanagersoncommunityengagement;considerusingqualitativeapproachesinriskassessment;multidisciplinaryteamsareneededtoworkonissues;encouragemultidisciplinaryteamsinenvironmentalhealthresearch;socialsciencedisciplineslikesocialepidemiologyindicatethatEPAneedstolookmoreatupstreamfactorssocialprocessesthatultimatelyprocessthedisparitiesinrisksandhealthoutcomes;exploreapproachesforinteractingwithcommunitiesthatcanbuildcollectiveefficacyandsocialcapital;supportparticipationofcommunitiesasequalpartnersinresearch;includethemasequalpartnersinthecoproductionofknowledge; andincludecommunityrepresentativesandperspectivesinthedesignofstudies/research.10.EPAandotheragenciesshouldintegrateenvironmentaljustice(EJ)inallEPAactivities,includingpolicymaking,regulatoryactions,researchandpublicoutreach. Animportantplaceforinterventionforenvironmentaljusticeisregulationandrulemaking. ExamplerecommendationsfromtheSymposiumontheuseofscienceandinformationtoaddressEJconcernsindecisionmaking includedevelopmeasuresofenvironmentalhealthdisparitiestomonitortemporalandspatialtrendsindisparities,andalsowhetherenvironmentalregulationiseffective;stratifyresearchdatabyraceandincometobetteranalyzedisparateimpacts;accountfordifferencesintheeffectofPbonhypertensionwhichismorepronouncedinchronicallystressedindividualsinregulatoryassessmentsandpolicies;developtoolsforequityassessment;testthevalidityofavailablevulnerabilityindicesandtools;basedecisionsongoodsciencethatpasses

the

tests

of

reliability,

repeatability

and

peer

review;

good

data

are

legally

defensible;

and

presentpolicychoicesandequityimpactstoAdministratorasastandardconsiderationindecisionmaking.

epa environmental justice implementation plan march 2011

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