Environmental justice is a nice idea-- that everyone will be treated fairly, particularly in regards to environmental waste and hazards-- but it can be difficult to talk about, simply because the words "environmental justice" aren't always familiar to people. But maybe the words are a little more familiar to those who follow Michigan legislation and policy. Did you know that there is a Michigan Executive Directive to promote and encourage environmental justice in the state? I've copied the directive below.
There are several notes of interest in this document. One, the directive includes the state's definition of environmental justice (I've highlighted it in blue).
Two, part of the directive says that
"In developing the state environmental justice plan, the Department shall actively solicit public involvement." This is one of the areas of environmental justice that is very hard to achieve. How do you schedule and run meetings so that community members really can come and discuss what they think of a new project, or share their concerns about waste or environmental health? How do you ensure that everyone knows about the meeting?
What do you think? Have you seen evidence of this directive being put into action?
The Department of Environmental Quality also hosts an Environmental Justice Working group which meets frequently throughout the year (their next meeting is July 13, 2009). The state has just announced massive budget cuts to the DEQ; it will be interesting to see where exactly the cuts are made.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTIVE No. 2007 - 23
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
WHEREAS,
Section 1 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963 vests the
executive power of the State of Michigan in the Governor;
WHEREAS,
under Section 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, each
principal department of state government is under the supervision of
the Governor unless otherwise provided by the Constitution;
WHEREAS,
under Section 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the
Governor is responsible to take care that the laws be faithfully
executed;
WHEREAS, under Section 52 of Article IV of the
Michigan Constitution of 1963, the conservation and natural resources
of the State of Michigan are of paramount public concern in the
interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the People of the State
of Michigan;
WHEREAS, under Article I of the Michigan
Constitution of 1963, state government is instituted for the equal
benefit, security, and protection of the People of the State of
Michigan, and no person may be denied the enjoyment of his or her civil
or political rights because of religion, race, color, or national
origin;
WHEREAS, the fair, non-discriminatory treatment of all
people is fundamental to the development, implementation, and
enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies;
WHEREAS,
when government acts, careful attention to civil rights can facilitate
fair and non-discriminatory treatment, and meaningful public
involvement can provide citizens with a more effective voice in
decisions affecting their community;
WHEREAS, state government
has an obligation to advance policies that foster environmental
justice, social well-being, and economic progress;
WHEREAS,
initial efforts by an advisory work group organized by the Department
of Environmental Quality reveal that the development of environmental
justice plans will further equal protection and public health, safety,
and welfare;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor
of the State of Michigan, by virtue of the power and authority vested
in the Governor by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law,
direct:
I. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Directive:
A. "Department
of Environmental Quality" or "Department" means the principal
department of state government created under Executive Order 1995-18,
MCL 324.99903.
B. "Environmental justice" means the fair,
non-discriminatory treatment and meaningful involvement of Michigan
residents regarding the development, implementation, and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, and policies by this state.
II. DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PLANS
A. The
Department of Environmental Quality shall develop and implement a state
environmental justice plan to promote environmental justice in
Michigan. The plan shall do all of the following:
1. Identify
and address discriminatory public health or environmental effects of
state laws, regulations, policies, and activities on Michigan
residents, including an examination of disproportionate impacts.
2. Include
measures to prevent discriminatory or negative public health or
environmental effects of state laws, regulations, policies, or
activities, including, but not limited to, disproportionate negative
impact of state laws, regulations, policies or activities relating to
public health and the environment.
3. Provide policies and
procedures for state departments and agencies to ensure that
environmental justice principals are incorporated into departmental and
agency decision-making and practices.
4. Include recommendations
for other state departments and agencies whose functions and
responsibilities impact environmental justice.
5. Recommend
mechanisms for members of the public, communities, and groups to assert
adverse or disproportionate social, economic or environmental impact
upon a community and request responsive state action.
6. Ensure
consistency with federal environmental justice programs and recommend
specific mechanisms for monitoring and measuring the effects of
implementing the plan.
7. Assure implementation in a manner that
maximizes the promotion of environmental justice while minimizing or
eliminating potential adverse or disproportionate social, economic, or
environmental impact.
B. In developing the state environmental justice plan, the Department shall actively solicit public involvement.
C. The
Department shall establish an environmental justice working group of
state officials and members of the public to do all of the following:
1. Assist in the development of the state environmental justice plan.
2. Identify
state departments and agencies that could benefit from the development
of a departmental or agency environmental justice plan.
3. Assist
in the development of departmental or agency environmental justice
plans and review the plans for consistency with the state environmental
justice plan.
4. Recommend measures to integrate and coordinate
the actions of state departments to further the promotion of
environmental justice in this state.
5. Recommend environmental
justice performance goals and measures for the Department and other
state departments and agencies with departmental or agency
environmental justice plans.
6. Review the progress of the
Department and other departments and agencies with environmental
justice plans in complying with the plan and promoting environmental
justice.
D. The Department may require a department or agency to
develop and adopt a departmental or agency environmental justice plan,
in cooperation with the Department, if the Department determines that
development by a department or agency would promote environmental
justice within this state.
E. State departments and agencies
shall cooperate with the Department of Environmental Quality as
necessary to implement this Directive.
F. The Department of
Environmental Quality shall report to the Governor on its progress in
implementing this Directive not later than July 1, 2008. The
Department also shall prepare an annual report to the Governor on state
activities to promote environmental justice.
This Directive is effective immediately.
Given under my hand this 21st day of November in the year of our Lord, two thousand and seven.
____________________________________
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR
Recent Comments