NCD980602163_19971211_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_USEPA - Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_2nd Environmental Justice Enforcement Roundtable, Dec. 11 - 13 1997-OCR

2nd Environmental Justice
Enforcement Roundtable
Sponsored By
The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency , Region 4
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina
December 11 through 13 , 1997
What is the NEJAC'?
The National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) is a federal advisory
committee that was established by charter on September 30, 1993, to provide
independent advice, consultation, and recommendations to the Administrator of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on matters related to environmental
justice. The NEJAC is made up of 25 members appointed from environmental justice
groups; academia; nongovernmental organizations; industry; and state, local and
tribal governments, who serve on a parent council that has six subcommittees.
Along with the NEJAC members who fill subcommittee posts, an additional 39
individuals serve on the various subcommittees.
To facilitate the conduct of the business of NEJAC, the subcommittees focus on
issues of enforcement, health and research, indigenous peoples, international
activities, public participation, and waste and facility siting. Each subcommittee ha s
a designated federal official (DFO) and is bound by the requirements of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of October 16, 1972. Subcommittees of the NEJAC
meet ind epende ntly of the full NEJAC and present their findings to the NEJAC for
review. Subcommittees cannot make recommendations independently to EPA.
The NEJAC Enforcement Subcommittee
The Enforcement Subcommittee studies issues related to the enforcement of, and
compliance with, environmental statutes and regulations and provides
recommendations to the NEJAC on such issues. The mission of the subcommittee is
to provide independent advice to the parent council of the NEJAC and, through the
Counc il , to EPA on those issues. Some of the areas on which the subcommittee has
worked include, but are not limited to:
• Promoting cooperative and supportive relationships aimed at ensuring
environmental justice in enforcement and compliance activities at federal,
tribal, state, and local leve ls
• Eva luating the development, implementation, and enforcement of national
environmental justice policies and programs by the EPA Office of Enforcement
and Compliance Assurance (OECA)
• Identifying administrative and legislative options to improve enforcement and
compliance policies, programs, and activities as they relate to environmental
justice concerns
,.
•
Background
The Environmental Justice Enforcement Roundtable meeting is an important
milestone in EP A's efforts to provide opportunities for environmental justice
stakeholders to provide recommendations to EPA and state environmental agencies
for the development of policies for enhancing public participation and involvement in
enforcement and compliance activities. The roundtable is co-sponsored by the
NEJAC and EPA Region 4 , and is being hosted by the North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, in partnership with several community based
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This is the sec:;!rd regional enforcefnenfg'octndtable to be spon1o/\edjointly by the
NEJAC Enforzc~~.ent Subcommittee andf PA The roundtable/sja1~ important and
effective cqnd ~it't hrough which envirot1itental justice stake~blders have an
opportunifY to int\ract with EPA ~pd st~lt~ and municipal er ~irdnme,ntal regulatory
and enforcement ag~mcies. It alsofgii ~g~~v~rnment officiaJs an oppo~unity to hear
first hand f ~om thos~. who live on 6~~ < roximity to ~A vironQ1ental justice sites.
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Pursuant '1¼?::: · ve Order 1?896'on"tsrr ental Ju~~t~~'-''rJ:-, iromrfental
J1.fstice Enforcement RoundtJb1~£~~~:.) provide a~ 01i#;~~~nity_ff'r
environmental justice stakeho~ "'s·-(f-er e-x~(· ,> ~. commu~~~r.ap5'{ l0t 57 ·roa;\s;
·· .~~mtr~i~~~ .,'f,,,,'-· '· ,,.. ,. individuals; business and industry; , ribal, stat~:~>,> ,. · a;r~f . , .,,,·'' , , , ·s; and
otherSJ170 .. yxchange ideas on how communities can plq~,:~f .e".~~J;ivl ,eet,~,i~
environmental ef:'.l:for.oem~nt and compliance activities~· -,·,,,.'i ( ,,
recommendations to EP A ·and §tate environmental agex1i:1 es or. e .. ·· ;, ,,lo {11ent of
policies for enhancing citizen·s"'· pa.rticipatio)J.a~ai n;;;ive"'ni'ent in enfor;e~~• \9d
compliance activities. ... ·-
Guiding Principles
•
•
•
Recognize the knowledge within communities and indigenous peoples
Maintain honesty and integrity throughout the process
Encourage active participation of all stakeholders
• Utilize cross-cultural formats and exchanges
• Recognize that people from different cultures have different ways of
communicating
• Maintain clarity, accuracy, and simplicity in presentations
Objectives
• '. Focus on the education of ALL participants (for example, discuss case
studies, present an overview of enforcement activities, provide answers to
commonly asked questions, conduct a tour of local sites, among others)
• Review the effectiveness of existing community involvement opportunities and
develop recommendations for improvement (for example, community
monitoring)
• Identify new opportunities for communities to participate in enforcement and
compliance activities and develop recommendations
2
Agenda
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1997
Enforcement Awareness Forum
Panelists: Reverend Louis Coleman, Justice Resource Center
Chuck Barlow, State of Mississippi
Phyllis Harris, EPA Region 4
6:00 p.m. -7:'30 p.m.
Mike Walker, EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
Moderator: Arthur Ray, Chair of the NEJAC Enforcement Subcommittee
Features a panel discussion offering community, state, and federal perspectives
about what environmental enforcement is and what it is not. Specific issues to be
addressed include the relationship between federal, state, and tribal enforcement
agencies, specific activities not covered by existing regulations, a definition of
delegation of enforcement authority, and ways the public can provide input into
environmental protection. This session will start with an overview of the NEJAC and
the issues it addresses. The moderator also will provide a brief overview of the
purpose of this session.
Public Dialogue 7:'30 p.m. -9:'30 p.m.
Features an open dialogue about community enforcement and compliance assurance
issues.
3
Agenda (continued)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1997
Welcoming Remarks 8:30 a.m. -10:00 a.m.
Panelists: Mr. Stan Neiburg, Deputy Regional Administator, EPA Region 4
Mr. Henry Lancaster, II, Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
Mr. Chambers, Chancellor, North Carolina Central University or designee
Moderators: Arthur R.ay and a representative from the local host community
Meeting Overview 10:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m.
Moderators: Arthur R.ay and Haywood Turrentine, Chair of the NEJAC
This session provides an overview of the activities of the NEJAC, the meeting
objectives and agenda, and other logistical issues. This session also includes a
review of the "hot" issues identified during the Enforcement Awareness Forum and
Public Dialogue conducted on Thursday evening.
BREAK 10:30 a.m. -10:45 a.m.
Concurrent Breakout Sessions (1) 10:45 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
Features a dialogue on specific enforcement issues and recommendations for
improvements. A neutral Facilitator, a Community Discussion Leader, and state and
federal Subject Matter Experts will be provided for each session. The facilitators will be
used to ensure that the sessions stay on track.
•
•
Community Notification and Resolution of Complaints: This session will
explore the issues related to the way in which state and federal regulatory
agencies notify the community about enforcement actions and noncompliance
by facilities, as well as methods for resolving community complaints.
Community-based Monitoring and Enforcement: This session will explore
ways in which communities can serve as monitors, as well as focus on
4
Agenda (continued)
discussing guidelines for collecting data to ensure valid results. The session
also will focus on identifying legal strategies that communities can utilize
under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA).
• Enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: This session will
: explore the applicability of this law to community complaints, as well as review
the role of the U.S. Department of Justice in enforcing Title VI.
• Permitting and Environmental Compliance: This session will explore issues
related to the enforcement of noncompliance by facilities with permits and
environmental regulations related to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act,
and other laws designed to protect the environment.
• Farm Worker Protection: This session will explore issues related to the
enforcement by states of farm worker protection laws, as well as the impact
of pesticides laws.
LUNCH
Concurrent Breakout Sessions (11)
12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
• Inspection, Screening, And Targeting: This session will explore the role of
federal and state agencies in the inspection and screening of facilities and the
process of targeting facilities for inspection. In addition, the session will
examine the creation of performance partnership agreements and memoranda
of agreement.
• State Laws: This session will explore the effect of emerging legislation on the
conduct of enforcement activities, including laws addressing state
environmental audits and "takings."
• Federal Facility Enforcement: This session will explore issues related to
the enforcement of environmental regulations at federal facilities, including
facilities owned by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department
of Energy.
5
Agenda (continued)
• Coordination with Tribal Environmental Programs: This session will
explore the issues related to coordinating environmental enforcement with
state and federal agencies, as well as tribal sovereignty and tribal
environmental infrastructure.
• : Confined Animal Feeding Operations: This session will explore issues
related to the impact of such operations (including hog operations and poultry
farms) on local ecosystems.
BREAK
Breakout Session Report Outs
3:00 p.m. -3:15 p.m.
3:15 p.m. -5:00 p.m.
A representative from each breakout session (to be determined) will summarize the
issues, recommendations, and action items discussed during the ten concurrent
breakout sessions. The community members of each session will select their
representative.
Community Poster Session
DINNER
Community State Caucuses
5 :00 p.m. -6:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.
Separate caucuses will be held concurrently for each of the states in EPA Region 4 .
Representatives from the appropriate state, EPA Region 4, and other federal and
municipal agencies will be available to listen and respond to concerns identified by
members of the communities within the state. These direct dialogues will be
facilitated and will focus on state-and site-specific issues. Neutral facilitators will
be used to ensure that the sessions stay on track.
6
Agenda (co~tinued)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1997
Remarks 8:30 a.m. -9:00 a.m.
Moderator: Arthur Ray
The moderator will provide a review of the previous day's activities and will review the
activities scheduled for the day.
Community State Caucus Report Outs 9:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
A representative from each community state caucus (to be determined) will
summarize the issues, recommendations, and action items discussed during the
sessions held the previous evening. The community members of each caucus will
select their representative.
LUNCH
Wrap-up
12:30 p.m. -1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
Selected members of the NEJAC Enforcement Subcommittee, as well as
representatives from the community and federal and state agencies, will identify
global issues from the discussions, recommendations, and action items developed
during the breakout sessions and the state caucuses. The panel also will identify a
mechanism for follow-up.
7
NEJAC Enforcement Subcommittee
List of Members for 1997-1998
Desi(anated Federal Official
Sherry Milan
Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW (MC 2201A)
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Chair
Arthur Ray -1 year (SL)
Maryland Department of the Environment
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone : [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Other Members
Leslie Beckhoff -2 years (IN)*
Conoco/Dupont
One Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1000
Lake Charles, LA 70629
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Lamont Byrd -2 years (NG)
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
25 Louisiana Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Luke Cole -2 years (NG) *
Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation
631 Howard Street, Su ite 330
San Francisco, CA 94105-3907
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Richard T. Drury -2 years (NG)
Communities for a Better Environment
500 Howard Street, Suite 506
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone : [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Grover Hankins -1 year (AC) *
Thurgood Marshall School of Law
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne Avenue, Room 212
Houston, TX 77004
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
David Harris, Jr. -3 years (EV)
116 Shady Spring Place
Durham, NC 27713
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
8
NEJAC Enforcement Subcommittee
List of Members for 1997-1998
Other Members ( continued)
Rita Harris -3 years (CG)
Mid-South Peace &Justice Center
P.O. Box 11428
499 Pat~erson Street, Room 301
Memphis, TN 38111-0428
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Lillian Mood -3 years (SL)
SC Dept. of Health & Environmental Control
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
" Denotes NEJAC Execu"tive Council Member
AC = Academia
CG = Communi"ty Group
EV= Environmen"tal Group
Gerald Torres -3 years (AC) *
University of Texas Law School
727 East Dean Keeton, Room 3.266
Austin, TX 78705
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Peggy Shepard -1 year (CG)
West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc.
271 West 125th Street, Suite 211
NewYork, NY 10027
Phone: [phone], Ext. 303
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Legend
IN= Indus-try
SL= S"ta"te / Local Governmen"t
NG = Nongovernmen"tal Organiza"tion
9
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Justice Points of Contact
Headquarters
401 M Street, SW ( use mail code [MC] for each office)
Washington, DC 20460
Office of The Administrator -MC1101
Angela Chung; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Environmental Justice -
MC2201A [phone]
Mary Settle; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
American Indian Environmental Office-
MC4104
Elizabeth Bell; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Air and Radiation -MC6101
Mia Quigley; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Civil Rights -MC1201
Rosezella Canty-Letsome
[phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Communication,
Education & Public Affairs -MC1702
Doretta Reaves; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance -MC2201A
Sherry Milan; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of General Counsel -MC2378
Mary 0'Lone; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation -
MC2127
Janice Bryant; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Prevention, Pesticides and
Toxic Substances -MC7405
Barbara Burke; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Regional Operations and
State/Local Relations -MC1502
Janice Berry-Chen; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Research and Development -
MC8105
Lawrence Martin; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response-MC5101
Kent Benjamin; [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Office of Water -MC4102
Leo Cox; (202) 260-34 75
Fax: [phone]
10
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Justice Points of Contact
Region 1
Rhona Julien
One Congress Street, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02203-0001
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region 2
Melva Hayden
290 Broadway, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region :3
Reginald Harris
841 Chestnut Building
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region4
Connie Raines
100 Alabama Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region 5
Karla Johnson
77WestJackson Boulevard (T-17J)
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Regional Contacts
Region6
Shirley Augurson
1445 Ross Avenue, 12th Floor, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region 7
Althea Moses
726 Minnesota Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region8
Elisabeth Evans
99918th Street, Suite 500
Denver, CO 80202-2405
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region 9
Willard Chin
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Region 10
Joyce Crosson-Kelly
1200 Sixth Avenue (MD-142)
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
11
Notes:
12
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13
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1 Regional and Community Effort to Investigate
Environmental Justice Issues Related to the Calvert City
Petrochemical Complex and the LWD Toxic Waste Incinerators
Coalition for Health Concern, Benton, Kentucky
In 1985, the Coalition for Health Concern began a regional and community effort to
investigate health issues, enforcement issues, and environmental justice issues as related
to the Petrochemical Complex and the LWD Toxic Waste Incinerators (3) located at Calvert
City, Kentucky. The Coalition for Health Concern also reviewed environmental and health
problems:at the DOE Paducah Uranium Enrichment Facility Atomic Plant. This review
included 251 toxic waste sites at Calvert City that the Coalition for Health Concern helped
document in the 1980s. Of these 251 sites, only 2 NPL sites are being addressed. The
Coalition for Health Concern assisted in obtaining a study of Calvert City which is used as a
model. This study has not been completed. Our community has high rates of cancer, lupus,
and other environmental related illnesses. We have obtained one health study for cancer
which shows a cancer rate of 67% above state average.
Characterization of a Hazardous Waste Landfill
in Pinewood, South Carolina
Morris College, Pinewood, South Carolina
Funds provided by EPA through The College Fund/UNCF have been used at Morris College to
study communities near a hazardous landfill in Pinewood, SC. During the summer of 1997,
information was gathered concerning a landfill that has been in operation near Pinewood
since 1978. A demographic analysis was conducted using 1990 U.S. census data on f ive
South Carolina counties that.surround the dump site. Data were collected for each county
on race, home values, and education levels for the five counties and then broken down by the
county sections nearest the dump site. Because the site is only a few hundred feet from
the headwaters of Lake Marion, a major watershed for these and additional downstream
counties, direction of county sections from the site was considered in the analysis.
Findings of this study revealed that on a county-wide basis, there are apparently no
differences in the variable considered. However, when county sections are considered,
there appears to be a considerable discrepancy in the number of non-whites and whites,
home values, and education levels in sections nearer the dump. Although a difference
apparently exists, there remains a question of cause and effect. Are these differences a
direct result of the dump site placement or did they exist before the site was located near
Pinewood?
14
fhe fruth-ls-fhe-Light Program
DDMT-CCC, Memphis, r ennessee
Defense Depot Memphis Tennessee -Concerned Citizens' Committee (DD MT-CCC) is a local
grassroots organization formed in 1995 to inform black residents in South Memphis of the
toxic dangers of living near the Defense Depot, a NPL Superfund Site. Environmental
Justice, toxic decontamination, community health, worker health, political
accountability-all of these issues combine in DDMT-CCC's The Truth-ls-The-Light
Program~ which informs and educates the approximately 75,000 people living in the
adversely effected area.
The Truth-ls-The-Light Program has distributed over 25,000 pamphlets that cover the
wide array of issues of concern to the all-black, low-income population immediately
surrounding the Defense Depot. Also, DDMT-CCC has distributed booklets, newsletters,
and other literature to the people, along with dissemination of information on regional radio
and television stations through both public appearances and news events.
After health problems in South Memphis wreaked havoc on human health and the
environment, DDMT-CCC ascertained a troubling link between environmental factors
(sediment, air, groundwater, surface water run-off, the food chain contamination) and
societal ills. DDMT-CCC is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in Memphis
by lessening and/or ending the racism and other societal ills usually precipitating
environment injustice. Optimistic, DDMT-CCC envisions a healthy world, an American
society free of hatred based on race, sexual orientation, class, culture, creed, and the
national origin that now plague America.
"And ye shall know the truth, and
the truth shall make you free."
John 8:32
15
"Coming to the Light" Video Documentary for Community Education
Empowerment to Uncover Environmental Injustice in Columbia, Mississippi
Jesus People Against Pollution, Columbia, Mississippi
Jesus People Against Pollution is a non-profit, grassroots environmental organization
which consists of a Board of Directors, an Advisory Board, and staff and organization
members for the work load of the operation.
The organization makeup consists primarily of low-income, undereducated, underserved
African Americans and European Americans who live in close proximity to and on top of the
Reichold Chemical Company/Newsom Brothers Superfund Site. We are engaging daily in
community outreach programs for environmental justice in all affected communities across
this country. Our work has become familiar to national and international environmentalists
throughout the world. We are recognized for our partnership and leadership roles through
our involvement in existing environmental justice projects which address environmental
health initiatives in contaminated communities.
Joint Community and State Work Group to Study the PCB Landfill in
Warren County, NC-Provide Site Investigation, Detoxification Pilot Study,
and Pursue Detoxification of the Landfill
North Carolina
In 1982, a Toxic Substances Control Act landfill containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
was built in Warren County to hold approximately 40,000 cubic yards of dirt from along
North Carolina roadways which had been contaminated by the illegal spraying of PCB oil.
The State of North Carolina committed to pursuing detoxification of the landfill when the
technology became available. In 1995, a Warren County PCB Landfill Working Group (WG)
was established to pursue detoxification. This group, with active members from the
community, state agencies, and environmental interests, was awarded one million dollars to
study the feasibility of detoxification. With the assistance of two Science Advisors hired
by the WG, a joint partnership between the community and state has been working very
hard on doing an extensive site evaluation and a pilot scale demonstration on two different
treatment technologies for detoxification. Based on the pilot scale testing, a technology
was chosen for detoxification and the company is currently preparing a Phase 2, draft
preliminary design plan . The WG also is preparing a plan to obtain funding from the General
Assembly for the detoxification.
16
A Local Coalition Organized to Prevent the Installation
of a Rendering Facility in the Residential Community
MEJN/Montgomery Westside Residential Coalition
Montgomery, Alabama
Ours is a loosely-knit organization comprised of citizens who are stakeholders, people who
would be directly impacted by the construction/ operation of a rendering process in our
residential community. Tangible effects of such an intrusion include probable health risks,
deterioration of quality of life due to the noxious odors emitted into the air, and thus
permeating the area for miles. Another area of considerable concern to local residents is
the anti(Fipated decline in property values.
This poster addresses the concerns of our coalition in the following order: (1) the threat or
"What is a Rendering Plant?", (2) the diversity and size of the residential communities
threatened, and (3) a chronological record of events as they occurred from the initial
discovery of permit application to the opposing actions that are currently planned. The
proposed rendering process is scheduled to begin operations in calender year 1999 in an
area surrounded by seven residential communities. The 1990 census cites a population of
approximately 8 ,800 souls living in the area. The demographics for the area suggests that
the population is 95% African American, and that the median income is under $15,000 per
annum.
A Pollution Prevention Program to Protect
Human Health and Water Resources
Cooperative Extension Service
Northampton and Bertie Counties, North Carolina
In 1995, EPA awarded the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service an Environmental
Justice Through Pollution Prevention grant to develop and implement programming in
Northampton and Bertie Counties. The program is designed to help members of the
environmental justice community better understand, address, and reduce risks to the
quality and safety of domestic drinking water supplies. Program staff also work with
community residents, public employees, and elected officials to develop and implement
events and opportunities which foster greater participation in environmental education
and protection activities.
Nearly 1,000 samples of domestic drinking water samples have been screened for one or
more contaminants including nitrate, lead, fecal bacteria, and pesticides. The Pollution
Prevention Program continues to provide collaboration, technical support, and educational
opportunities to enable all members of the Northampton and Bertie County community to
better understand, respect, and protect the quality of their environment.
17
Morehouse Community Environmental Empowerment Initiative
Morehouse School of Medicine, Center for Public Health Practice
Atlanta, Georgia
The Morehouse Community Environmental Empowerment Initiative (MCEEI) project is
implemented by The Morehouse School of Medicine Department of Community
Health/Preventive Medicine. This grant was awarded in 1996 by the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry to address problems that public health organizations,
public health students, and academic institutions face assisting communities in finding
solutions to environmental health concerns. The MCEEI project has focused its community
involvement on three minority communities in Atlanta, Georgia. South Atlanta, Chosewood
Park, and Lakewood Heights, were identified due to community concerns about a fishy
stench permeating these communities. The goals of the project are to improve
communication between the community, academic and training institutions, and health
departments as well as to identify and address environmental health problems. Activities
of the project include performing preliminary data collection about the community and
associated issues, conducting environmental education seminars, collaborating with the
outreach staff of local health departments, and sponsoring sessions to teach conflict
resolution techniques. The project also has helped promote community organization for
action. The community was able to organize successful opposition to the rezoning proposal
that would have allowed a new junkyard to locate in their community. Through continued
partnerships with communities, academia and government agencies, further environmental
assault can be prevented.
What is CFEJ'? What is SRS?
Citizens For Environmental Justice
Savannah, Georgia
Citizens For Environmental Justice (CFEJ) has been formed by citizens of the African
American community in Savannah to fight the reopening of the Savannah River Site (part of
the nuclear weapons production complex), and to increase the participation of the African
American community in the environmental movement in the Southeast Region.
The Savannah River Site (SRS) was constructed in the 1950s to produce materials for
nuclear weapons, primarily tritium and plutonium. SRS was known by residents of the
surrounding are as the "Bomb Plant". In 1996, the Defense Waste Processing Facility was
opened to process this waste and bond its radioactive elements to borosilicate glass for
storage. SRS is currently the nation1s only tritium recycling facility. It is also used as a
storage facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel-about 34 million gallons of high-level radioactive
waste is stored on-site.
18
Partnership Effort for the Advancement of Children's Health
North East Central Durham Partners Against Crime
Durham, North Carolina
North East Central Durham Partners Against Crime (NECD) is a community organization
working to improve the quality of life for its residents through affordable housing, economic
development, environmental awareness, programs for youth and senior citizens, and health
care issues. We are partners with North Carolina Central University on the Partnership
Effort fC?r the Advancement of Children's Health (PEACH) initiative, a lead intervention
project.
In 1995, a Durham study showed that 2,521 (18%) of Durham's children had their blood lead
level tested. Of the children tested, 121 (or4.7%) had elevated blood lead levels. The study
concluded that one child in every class of 20 kindergartners in Durham has lead poisoning
and their exposure is in the home or daycare. The purpose of PEACH is (1) to form a
coalition involving community representatives, health care providers, educators, and
environmental science experts, (2) to identify and improve conditions of homes in the NECD
community where lead exposure may pose a health problem, (3) to conduct specialized
cleaning for the reduction of lead exposure in identified homes, and ( 4) to generate a plan
for collection, interpretation and presentation of data on lead presence. The project
involves washing the walls of homes with phosphate, (primarily those of children at risk of
being exposed to high lead levels) and providing education about lead exposure and hazards
to parents of children at risk of lead poisoning. The washing is done by at-risk community
youth volunteers who have received training in lead washing techniques. The youth
volunteers are also provided a stipend. Pre-and post-intervention sampling for lead is also
included . To date, samples have been submitted for testing on eight homes. Four of these
homes have been found to have high lead levels in the material samples. These homes will be
the first to receive training and education on lead reduction and hazards.
19
Enviro1st Addresses Environmental Justice, Sustainable
Development, and Non-Conventional Agriculture Issues
Enviro1st, Durham, North Carolina
Enviro1st is a newly formed regional organization that serves primarily as an education and
information clearinghouse. It is a non-profit, charitable, community-based organization.
Some of the issues we address include environmental justice, sustainable development, and
non-conventional agriculture.
Our project was initiated in order to increase the awareness of the above issues primarily
among people of color. The East Durham community where our offices are located is dotted
with numerous environmental hazards and industrial sites including chemical factories, a
petroleum company, and concrete factories. In 1983, a major chemical fire occurred at the
Armmegedon Chemical Company. The community is still reeling from the after affects. The
company has undergone several ownership changes, but continues to operate. Our
community is one of Durham's worst with high concentrations of unemployment, crime and
substandard housing.
Presently, Enviro1st is organizing an environmental awareness campaign in conjunction with
neighborhood elementary schools to take place during African American history month.
1 Hyde Park and Arragon Park Improvement Committee, Inc.
Augusta, Georgia
In 1968, the Hyde Park, Arragon Park Improvement Committee (HPIC) was formed by proud
homeowners. In 1969, the committee was incorporated as a nonprofit organization only to
find in 1992 that the land and families were poisoned by arsenic and pesticides from the
Southern Wood Piedmont (SWP) plant which had been closed by EPA for health hazards. In
1992, SWP reached a settlement with the integrated communities of the Virginia
Subdivision, but purposefully overlooked the two African American communities of Hyde
Park and Arragon Park.
The mission of HPIC has changed to educating the residents of the community. Our top
priority is the relocation of the residents from the toxic soup in which they live.
20
Campaign to Secure Safe Potable Water
for Residents of Sunset Lake Acres
Wake County Chapter of North Carolina Fair Share
Our organization is the Wake County Chapter of North Carolina Fair Share. North Carolina
Fair Share is a statewide multi-racial advocacy, education, and leadership training
organization dedicated to working with low-and moderate-income North Carolinians on
grassroots issues, in general, and health care, in particular. Some of the issues that North
Carolina Fair Share addresses include environmental justice, affordable health care,
adequatJ.e nutrition, public transportation, fair taxation, affordable housing, quality
education, and equal employment opportunities.
Presently, our chapter is engaged in a protracted campaign to secure safe potable water
for the residents of Sunset Lake Acres. Historically, in North Carolina, black communities in
rural areas tended to be developed in the poorest of lands-lands that were poorly drained
or unsuitable for agricultural production. For the same reasons, the soils in such areas are
marginally suited for septic tanks. This is the case in the Sunset Lake Acres community of
Holly Springs, NC. The community radiates around the intersection of Holly Springs Road
and Sunset Lake Road. It is a mix of mobile homes, substantial brick houses, some cinder-
block houses, and a daycare center, spread out among several miles of weeded rural roads.
Also housed in the community is Sunset Acres landfill. The landfill stores several tons of
waste, hauled in from various locales in the county.
Soils in this area are made predominantly of gravelly, sandy, loam . The coarsely grained soil
in the area acts as a conduit to carry septic tank effluent into the area's shallow wells. As
a result, the well contamination in the area is widespread and the situation is considered a
serious threat to public health. Almost all of the wells in the community were found
contaminated with either coliform bacteria or E. Coli, a bacteria that causes diarrhea and
has been linked to a renal disease called hemolytic uremic syndrome. The bacteria is
potentially fatal. The chief suspects for this widespread contamination are believed to be a
combination of failed septic tanks and leachate, a toxic soup, from the neighboring landfill.
Forty-eight percent of the households in this community are low-income. A full 70% are
considered low-to moderate-income. Every resident of Sunset Lake Acres is African
American.
21
Enforcement Campaigl
Clean Water Fund of North Carolina
The Clean Water Fund of North Carolina is spearheading a statewide campaign to ensure
that environmental regulations and laws in North Carolina are strictly enforced and that
state officials uphold the law and get tough on polluters. Our review of the enforcement of
environmental laws has shown that polluters often get off the hook, are given the benefit of
the doubt, and are allowed years to resolve problems rather than paying fines and ending
contamination.
In order to toughen enforcement of environmental laws, we are calling on the people of
North Carolina to press for payment of environmental fines. We are also calling on
industries to address pollution problems where they occur.
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Pesticide Health, Safety and Environmental Project
The Farmworker Association of Florida, Inc.
The Farmworker Association of Florida, Inc. (FWAF) is a grassroots membership
organization of over 6-,400 farmworker families from predominately Haitian, Hispanic, and
African-American communities. FWAF was begun in 1983, incorporated in 1986, and
expanded statewide in 1992. The goal of FWAF is to build a strong, multi-racial,
economically viable organization of farmworkers in Florida and empower them to respond to
and gain control over the social, political, economic, and workplace issues that affect their
lives. This involves helping farmworkers to realize the dignity of their work, to recognize
their talents and skills, to reclaim their communities, and to remove the barriers that have
marginalized them.
The Pesticide Health, Safety and Environmental Project works to enable farmworkers to
better understand the Florida Right-to-Know Law, the Field Sanitation Laws, and the
Worker Protection Standards; to provide a health and safety program in which
farmworkers teach each other to better understand their reality and work to make a safer
home and work environment for themselves and their families; and to become active
participants with other farmworker and minority organizations in addressing health,
safety, and environmental issues.
22
~:30a.m.
8:30a.m.
9:30a.m.
10:30a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Noon
12:30p.m.
1:30p.m.
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THURSDAY
DECEMBER 11, 1997
Enforcement
Awareness
Forum
Public Dialogue
FRI DAY
DECEMBER 12, 1997
Welcoming
Remarks
Meeting
Break
Concurrent
Breakout
Sessions (1)
Lunch
Concurrent
Breakout
Sessions (11)
Break
Breakout
Session Report
Outs
Community
Post er Session
Dinner
Community
State
Caucuses
SATURDAY
DECEMBER 13, 1997
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Rema rks
Community
State Caucus
Report Outs
Lunch
Wrap-up
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