Five Federal Departments Reaffirm Commitment to Civil Rights and Environmental Justice

Article: In a joint statement, five federal departments, including the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, have reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding civil rights laws and advancing environmental justice in communities across the United States. This collaborative effort involves officials from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights, the Department of Transportation’s Departmental Office of Civil Rights, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of External Civil Rights Compliance, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke emphasized the Justice Department’s dedication to addressing environmental racism and underinvestment in communities of color. This commitment to coordinate enforcement efforts across the federal government has been in effect since 2021 and will continue to be a priority as recipients utilize new infrastructure grants.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will also focus on integrating justice, equity, and civil rights into its mission. Deputy Assistant Administrator for Program Implementation Marianne Engelman-Lado highlighted the EPA’s commitment to enforcing civil rights to address environmental injustice, including increased funding and staffing for this critical work.

Director Melanie Fontes Rainer of the HHS Office for Civil Rights stressed that environmental justice is a public health issue and that civil rights laws should ensure that all communities, regardless of race or location, are free from environmental hazards.

The DOT Departmental Office of Civil Rights, led by Director Irene Marion, acknowledged the historical disparities in accessing transportation infrastructure and committed to leveraging its authority and resources to ensure safe, efficient, and accessible transportation systems for all.

The DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, represented by Officer Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, emphasized the importance of education, technical assistance, and robust enforcement of civil rights laws in advancing environmental justice.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Demetria McCain of HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity highlighted the department’s commitment to enforcing fair housing and civil rights laws that advance environmental justice, ensuring that all neighborhoods and communities are healthy, safe, and resilient.

The joint statement also emphasized the vigorous use of all applicable civil rights laws, such as Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to advance environmental justice. The federal departments will actively work with state, territorial, and local governments, as well as other entities that receive federal funding, to ensure compliance with these important laws.

This reaffirmation of commitment by the federal departments underscores their dedication to promoting equity, justice, and environmental well-being in communities across the United States.

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