NCD980602163_19980610_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_USEPA - Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, May 31 - June 3 1998-OCR

Date: 10 June 1998
To: Henry Lancaster
Thru: Bill Meyer
Thru: Jack Butler
From: Grover Nicholson
RE: Notes on EP A's Interim Guidance for Investigating Title VI Administrative Complaints
Challenging State Environmental Permits
1. Note that this is only interim guidance and only deals with complaints challenging
permits.
2. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act states: "No person in the United States shall, on the
ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the
benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving
Federal financial assistance." This prohibits intentional discrimination, but the Supreme
Court has ruled that Title VI authorizes agencies to adopt regulations that also prohibit
policies and practices that cause discriminatory effects.
3. Title VI, coupled with President Clinton's Executive Order, 12,898 (Federal Actions To
Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations)
made it possible for EPA to adopt regulations prohibiting discrimination and the effects of
discrimination in permitting programs.
4. The State ofNC must comply with the EPA's Title VI regulations since the state receives
Federal funding for many of its environmental programs. If the state's environmental
permitting policies and procedures, although apparently fair and racially-neutral, actually
cause discriminatory effects, then EPA can withdraw the funding from the state.
5. Amendments to Title VI by the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 defines a "program"
or "activity" to mean all of the operations of a particular agency, including those
operations that are Federally-funded and those that are not Federally-funded. Therefore,
if EPA finds that the division violated Title VI by issuing a landfill permit ( under the state-
funded solid waste program) that was effectively discriminatory, then EPA can withdraw
funding from the federally-funded RCRA and CERCLA programs. This is a powerful
incentive for the state agencies to make sure their policies and procedures are really
environmentally just.
6. EPA states in the guidance that it intends to work with grant recipients who may have
violated Title VI to achieve voluntary compliance. EPA is trying to save litigation
resources for intractable cases.
Page2
Date: 10 June 1998
To: Henry Lancaster
Thru: Bill Meyer
Thru: Jack Butler
From: Grover Nicholson
7. EP A's Office of Civil Rights will process complaints using the following interim
framework.
OCR will receive a complaint about a permit creating a disparate impact and within
20 days either accept it, reject it, or refer it to a more appropriate agency.
OCR will investigate the complaint to find if the permit creates a disparate impact.
If OCR finds no disparate impact, they will dismiss the complaint. If they do find
one, they will notify the grant recipient.
The grant recipient then can rebut the complaint or propose a plan to mitigate the
disparate effects of the permit. IfEPA agrees with the rebuttal or the mitigation
plan, all parties will be notified.
Alternatively, the grant recipient can justify the permit by demonstrating that a
substantial and legitimate interest made the permit decision proper, even though it
created a disparate impact.
If the grant recipient neither rebuts, mitigates, nor justifies the complaint, OCR will
issue a written notice of preliminary finding of noncompliance to the grant
recipient, and send copies to the grant award official and to the Assistant Attorney
General for Civil Rights.
If the grant recipient does not respond to this notice of preliminary finding
demonstrating that it is incorrect or that the recipient can and will achieve
compliance, OCR will issue a written determination of noncompliance to the
recipient, with copies to the grant award official and the AAGCR.
If the recipient does not come into compliance within 10 days of receiving the
notice of noncompliance, OCR will begin the process to deny, annul, suspend, or
terminate EPA assistance.
At any point in the process, EPA welcomes informal resolution of the complaint.
Date: 10 June 1998
To: Missy Braeboy
From: Grover Nicholson
RE: A very brief overview oflocations of alledged environmental injustice in NC that we know
about.
1. Koppers Company, Morrisville, Wake County:
Koppers Company is a National Priorities List (NPL) site where soil, sediment, and
groundwater were contaminated with pentachlorophenol (PCP) from wood treating
operations. The residents of the nearby community of Shiloh are predominantly minority.
Many of these residents worked at the Koppers Company site. The site responsible party,
Beazer Corporation, has cleaned up the site by removing contaminated soil and sediment,
and by installing a ground water pump-and-treat system. Some of the nearby residents are
concerned about their health and environment because of past and present potential
exposures. Local residents are represented by an environmental scientist funded by a
Teachincal Assistance Grant from the US EPA
2. Warren County PCB Landfill, Warren County:
This state-owned landfill is the remedy for the NPL site designated as the PCB Roadside
Spills, where PCB-contaminated transformer oil was illegally sprayed along several
hundred miles of NC roadside. The contaminated soil was scrapped up from along the
roadsides and, over the strenuous objections of the nearby residents, placed in a lined
monofill contructed in Warren County. The residents of Warren County are
predominantly minority and many residents have low incomes. A working group of
citizens and state officials has been formed and the state is now in the process of arranging
for the detoxification of the contaminated soil in the landfill.
3. Eufala Street, Fayetteville, Cumberland County:
The residents in the Eufala Street area are predominantly minority and low-income. A
city/county landfill adjacent to the area was expanded, which placed the boundaries of the
landfill right against the Eufala Street area. Odors and noise from the landfill operations
were noxious. The residents complained of a sharp increase in rodents and snakes on their
properties. Although the city/county bought many of the properties and relocated the
residents, both before and after the landfill expansion, some of the residents did not want
to leave. Remaining residents believe that the quality of life in the neighborhood, as well
as their health and economic wellbeing, have been severely degraded by the landfill, and
that the landfill was placed there because the residents are predominantly minority and
low-income.
Date: 8 June 1998
To: Henry Lancaster
Thru: Bill Meyer
Thru: Jack Butler
From: Grover Nicholson r~
RE: NEJAC meeting in Oakland, CA.
I attended the NEJAC meeting in Oaklnad from 31 May to 3 June 98 . I did not see
anyone else from NC state government there. Dollie Burwell was there as a member ofNEJAC.
The meeting consisted of convening the council, remarks and presentations by US EPA,
long public comment periods, breakout sessions for the subcommittees, reconvening the council,
final planning and adjournment. See attached agenda. The EJ issues generally remain the same -
poor and minority neighborhoods bearing the health, environmental and economic burden of
industry but not sharing in the wealth or directing their own destinies. There was much more
input in this meeting from indigenous people. Many tribal groups spoke out against the mining
industry, surfacing environmental problems on tribal lands that began in the California gold rush
days. There was also considerable comment on development (industrial and suburban) on lands
held sacred by tribal people (i.e. ski communities on Mt. Shasta).
It is the mood ofNEJAC that US EPA is only beginning to understand EJ issues and that,
while EPA is trying to address them within the agency, EPA is not pushing all other federal and
state agencies toward addressing the issues fast enough. It is the feeling that, after 11 NEJAC
meetings, not enough progress has been made and momentum for EJ change is being lost.
NEJAC is particularly disturbed that EPA is not enforcing existing environmental laws
( and other laws that have a bearing on the issues) strongly enough -particularly Title VI of the
Civil Rights Act. There seems to be general agreement among the EJ community that the states
are being recalcitrant in addressing EJ, and that EPA needs to take the states to task ( cut off
funding) to force them to comply with existing laws.
North Carolina (Department of Agriculture, Division of Pesticides) was named again as
being remiss in protecting farm workers, particularly migrant, Hispanic, and poor ones, from the
hazards of agricultural chemicals. Baldemar Velasquez, Director of the Farm Labor Organizing
Committee, spoke harshly about NC's pesticide protection program and announced a rally and
march to be held in Raleigh on 23-26 June 98.
National Environmental Justice
Advisory Council
A Federal Advisory Committee to the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Oakland Marriott City Center
Oakland, California
May 31 through June 3, 1998
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
May 31 through June 3, 1998
Agenda (continued)
MONDAY, JUNE 1, 1998 _________________________ _
7:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
COFFEE/REGISTRATION
NEJAC Meeting Reconvenes
Welcome
Haywood Turrentine, Chair of NEJAC
Opening Remarks
Sylvia K. Lowrance, Principal Deputy Administrator, EPA Office of Enforcement and
Compliance Assurance
Felicia Marcus, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 9
10:30 a.m. BREAK
10:45 a.m. Presentations
Noon
1:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
9:00 p.m.
Lois J. Schiffer, Assistant Attorney General, Environmental and Natural Resources Division,
U.S. Department Of Justice
Update on Environmental Justice Initiatives
Bradley Campbell, Council on Environmental Quality, Executive Office of the President
LUNCH
2nd Public Comment Period Begins (non-local participants encouraged)
2nd Public Comment Period Ends
DINNER
NEJAC Meeting Reconvenes for Public Comment
3rd Public Comment Period Begins (local area participants encouraged)
NEJAC Meeting Adjourns for the Evening
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
May 31 through June 3, 1998
Agenda (continued)
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1998 ________________________ _
7:30 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
COFFEE/REGISTRATION
NEJAC Subcommittee Meetings Convene
BREAK
NEJAC Subcommittee Meetings Adjourn
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1998 ----------------------
7:30 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
COFFEE/REGISTRATION
NEJAC General Session Reconvenes
Remarks
Steven Herman, Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance
Assurance
Robert Brenner, Director, Office of Policy Analysis and Review, EPA Office of Air and
Radiation
Ann Goode, Director, EPA Office of Civil Rights
10:30 a.m. BREAK
10:45 a.m. Old Business
12:00 p.m. LUNCH
1 :30 p.m. Business Requiring Executive Council Action
--Subcommittee Reports, Findings and Recommendations
--Council Resolutions
3:00 p.m. BREAK
3:15 p.m. Business Requiring Executive Council Action (continued)
4:30 p.m. New Business
Next steps
6:00 p.m. NEJAC Meeting Adjourns
SUBCOMMITTEES
9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
11 :00 a.m.
11 :15 a.m.
Noon
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m
4:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m
6:30 p.m.
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
ENFORCEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE
Oakland, California
June 2, 1998
AGENDA
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Enforcement Subcommittee Priorities
Discussion with Steve Herman, Assistant Administrator and Sylvia Lowrance, Principal
Deputy Assistant Administrator, EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance
(OECA)
USE OF NEUTRAL PROFESSIONALS IN MATTERS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL
JUSTICE
David Batson, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Liaison, EPA
BREAK
AIR EMISSIONS TRADING WORKGROUP FOLLOW-UP
Robert Brenner, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation
-Spatial Averaging
-Economic Incentives Policy
LUNCH
DEMOGRAPHIC AND STATISTICAL APPLICATIONS IN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
MATTERS
EPA Offices
SECTOR FACILITY INDEXING PROJECT
EPA Office of Compliance
LEAD-BASED PAINT PROJECT
EPA Office of Compliance
SMALL BUSINESS COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE CENTERS PROJECT
EPA Office of Compliance
SUBCOMMITTEE WORKING/PLANNING SESSION
Resolutions:
--#3 -Environmental Justice Targeting Activities
--#4 -Integrated Data for Enforcement Analysis (IDEA) Enforcement Database
Subcommittee Workgroup Updates:
--Title VI Workgroup
--Agriculture Workgroup
--Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO)
--Worker Protection
• 1998-1999 Subcommittee Workplans
• Subcommittee Action Item List Review
• Schedule for next Subcommittee conference call
SUBCOMMITTEE ADJOURNS
8:30 a.m .
9:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
Noon
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
3:15 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
HEAL TH AND RESEARCH SUBCOMMITTEE
OPENING REMARKS
INTRODUCTIONS
PLAN FOR THE DAY
Oakland, California
June 2, 1998
AGENDA
PAST AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
A recap of the last two years and a look forward to the next
TOUR ISSUES AND PUBLIC DIALOGUE
An opportunity for the sub-committee to review health and research issues raised in the
site tour and a chance for public dialogue
LUNCH
RISK ASSESSMENT FORUM
This is a Forum , in conjunction with the Waste and Facility Siting Subcommittee, to
discuss the use of risk assessments by the Agency
Planning for the Children's Health FACA Joint Meeting
The EPA Office of Children's Health FACA committee would like to meet jointly with the
subcommittee
BREAK
DISCUSSION OF OPPT LEAD-BASED PAINT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE STUDY
with EPA and KKRI representatives
Both policy and technical leads for the report will be in attendance
RECAP/NEXT STEPS
SUBCOMMITTEE ADJOURNS
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
11 :DO a.m.
Noon
1:00 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
2:45 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
5:45 p.m.
6:00 p.m .
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES SUBCOMMITTEE
Oakland, California
June 2, 1998
Agenda
INVOCATION
• Review Agenda
DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDE BOOKLET ON COMMUNICATION AND CONSULTATION
BETWEEN TRIBES AND STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS
BREAK
CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDE BOOKLET
LUNCH
PUBLIC DIALOGUE PRESENTATIONS
VIDEOTAPE ON TRIBES AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
BREAK
REVIEW OUTSTANDING ACTION ITEMS
DRAFT RESOLUTIONS AND/OR LETTERS
WRAP-UP AND NEXT STEPS
Discussion on the Composition of the Subcommittee
SUBCOMMITTEE ADJOURNS
Revised As of April 17, 1998
9:00 a.m.
9:20 a.m.
9:25 a.m.
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11 :DO a.m.
11 :30 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
2:15 p.m.
2:40 p.m.
3:00 p.m.
3:15 p.m.
4:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
INTERNATIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE
Oakland, California
June 2, 1998
Agenda
Subcommittee Meeting Reconvenes
Opening Remarks
Baldemar Velasquez, Chair
Discussion of Subcommittee Turnover
REVIEW AGENDA
DISCUSSION OF MEXICO BORDER ISSUES
BREAK
WORK GROUP UPDATE: DISCUSSION OF SOUTH AFRICA ISSUES
Mildred McClain and Beth Hailstock
WORK GROUP UPDATE: FARMWORKER PROTECTION
Baldemar Velasquez
DISCUSSION OF INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE
Arnoldo Garcia and Maria Del Carmen Libran
LUNCH
DISCUSSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ROUNDTABLE (continued)
OTHER ITEMS
PRESENTATION
Alan Sielen, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of International Activities, EPA
BREAK
REVIEW ACTION ITEM TRACKING LIST
Old items
New items
DISCUSSION OF GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL
SUBCOMMITTEE
DRAFT RESOLUTIONS, as necessary
REVIEW CONTENT OF SUBCOMMITTEE REPORT OUT TO NEJAC
SUBCOMMITTEE ADJOURNS
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m .
10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Noon
1:15p.m.
2:15 p.m.
3:00 p.m,_.
3:15 p.m.
4:15 p.m.
4:45 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY SUBCOMMITTEE
Oakland, California
June 2, 1998
Agenda
SUBCOMMITTEE CONVENES
• Welcome and Introductions
• Review of the Agenda
• Review and Approval of Minutes from December 9, 1997 Meeting
PRESENTATION
"Use of Neutral Professionals in Issues Related to Environmental Justice"
David Baston, EPA, Alternative Dispute Resolution Program
BREAK
PRESENTATION
• "A Community-Based Environmental Protection Framework for EPA"
Angela Nugent, EPA, Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Office of Sustainable
Ecosystems and Communities
REVIEW AND PROVIDE COMMENT ON COMMUNITY ADVISORY TOOL KIT
LUNCH
REVIEW SITE TOUR
"Review the Process for Planning and Implementing Site Tours"
Rome/ Pascual, EPA, Region 9 and Michelle King, EPA, Office of Environmental
Justice
Review Draft Check List for Planning and Preparing Site Tours
Recommendations for Next Site Tour
ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY
Review Draft Guidelines for Public Commenters
BREAK
REVISIONS TO THE MODEL PLAN
Discuss Revisions to the Model Plan
DISCUSS PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A PUERTO RICAN-
CARIBBEAN PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY WORK GROUP
REVIEW ACTION ITEMS
OTHER ISSUES
SUBCOMMITTEE ADJOURNS
9:00 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
11 :00 a.m.
Noon
1:00 p.m.
1:30 p.m .
3:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
WASTE AND FACILITY SITING SUBCOMMITTEE
Oakland, California
June 2, 1998
Agenda
WELCOME
Charles Lee, Chair and Tim Fields, EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
(OSWER)
EPA AND INTERNATIONAL CITY/COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (ICMA)
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE VIDEO
Kent Benjamin, EPA OSWER
SUPERFUND OVERALL UPDATE
EPA Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR)
Superfund's efforts to pilot the plan to enhance the State/Tribal role
• Relocation Policy Status Report
• Status of Superfund Reauthorization
• Draft Institutional Controls: A Reference Manual
Steven Hess, EPA Office of General Council (OGG)
WORKING GROUP STATUS REPORTS
Risk Assessment Roundtable update
• Waste Transfer Station
LUNCH
FACT SHEET ON ALBUQUERQUE CONFERENCE
BROWNFIELDS ISSUES
• ASTM Brownfields Standard Guide Status Report
Vernice Miller
Urban Habitat Brownfields Presentation
UPDATES on DECEMBER 1997 RESOLUTIONS
• Puerto Rican Superfund Resolution Response
OERR or EPA Region 2
• Waste Transfer Stations -(OSW)
RESOLUTIONS
• Second Risk Assessment Resolution Discussion
• Community-Based Environmental Protetction Resolution
• Preliminary Risk Assessment Resolution re : Agency Approach
• Environmental Justice/Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program
• Title Ill CAA Urban Air/Area Sources Program
SUBCOMMITTEE ADJOURNS
NEJAC Members
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP 1997 -1998 Stakeholder Breakdown * Denotes NEJAC Council Member ** Denotes NEJAC Chair AC = Academia EV = Environmental Group Enforcement Subcommittee --10 SL Lillian Mood (3) SL Arthur Ray* (1) Chair AC Gerald Torres* (3) EV VACANT IN Leslie Beckoff * (2 ) AC Grover Hankins* (1) CG Peggy M. Shepard (1) CG Rita Harris (3) NG Lamont Byrd (2) NG Luke Cole * (2) NG Richard T. Drury (2) members (5 NEJAC) South Carolina Dept. of Health Maryland Department of the Environment University of Texas Law School Conoco lnc./DuPont Texas Southern University West Harlem Environmental Action, Inc. Mid-South Peace & Justice Center Teamsters CA Rural Legal Assistance Foundation Communities for a Better Environ. Health and Research Subcommittee --11 members (4 NEJAC) AC Douglas M. Brugge (1 ) Tufts School of Medicine CG Margaret Williams* (2) Citizens Against Toxic Exposure AC Marinelle Payton (2 ) Harvard Medical School AC Mary English* (1) Chair University of Tennessee EV Carlos Porras (3) Communities for a Cleaner Environment SL Michael J. DiBartolomeis (3) California EPA IN Eugene M. Peters (3) Clean Sites, Inc. NG Andrew McBride (1) Connecticut Lead Center SL Rosa Franklin * (2) Washington State Senate NG Pen S. Loh ( 1) Alternatives for Comm. & Environ. TR Don Aragon* (3) Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes SL Jane Stahl* (3) State of Connecticut Indigenous Peoples Subcommittee -8 members (1 NEJAC) TR James Hill* (2), Chair Klamath Tribe TR Charles Stringer (1) White Mountain Apache AC Richard Monette (1) Univ. Of Wisconsin IN Astel Cavanaugh (1) Sioux Manufacturing Corp. AC George Godfrey (3) · Haskell Nations University NG Sarah James (3), Elder Gwich'in Steering Committee SL Brad Hamilton (3) State of Kansas TR Dwayne Beavers (2) Cherokee Nation TR Christine Benally* ( 1) Sanostee Chapter of Navaho Nation CG = Community Group SL = State/Local Govt. TR = Tribal NG = Non-governmental Organization IN = Industry International Subcommittee --8 members (2 NEJAC) NG Baldemar Velasquez* (1) Chair Farm Labor Organizing Committee SL Beth Hailstock (3) Cincinnati Health Department IN Clydia Cuykendall (3) Star Enterprise (Texaco) AC Maria del Carmen Libran (3) University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez CG Mildred McClain (1) Citizens for Environmental Justice TR Bill Simmons (1) International Indian Treaty Council EV Arnoldo Garcia * (2) Earth Island Institute NG Janet Phoenix (2) National Safety Council Public Participation and Accountability Subcommittee --8 members (4 NEJAC) NG Frank Coss (1) COTICAM (Puerto Rico) EV VACANT CG Delbert Dubois (3) AC Robert Holmes (3) SL Annabelle Jaramillo* (3) IN Lonnie Hurst* (1) NG Haywood Turrentine** (1) TR Mamie Rupnicki (3) CG Rosa Hilda Ramos* (2) Chair Four Mile Hibberian Community Association Inc. Clark Atlanta University Office of the Governor, State of Oregon Motorola, Inc. Laborers Education Training Trust Fund Prairie Band of Potawatomi Tribe in Kansas Community of Canta/io, Puerto Rico Waste and Facility Siting Subcommittee --13 members (6 NEJAC) CG Dollie Burwell* (1) Warren County Concerned Citizens SL Lillian Kawasaki * ( 1) Los Angeles Department of Environment IN Sue Briggum * (2) WMX Technologies NG Mathy Stanislaus (2) Enviro-Sciences, Inc. NG Charles Lee* (1) (Chair) UC of Christ Commission for Racial Justice NG Connie Tucker (1) Southern Organizing Committee EV Ricardo Soto-Lopez (2) Puerto Rico-Northeast EJ Network IN Gerald R. Prout* (2) FMC Corporation AC Michael K. Holmes (3) St. Louis Community College EV Vernice Miller (3) Natural Resources Defense Council NG Damon Whitehead* (3) Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law NG Brenda Lee Richardson (3) Women Like Us CG Cynthia Jennings (3) ONE/CHANE {1) --Term expires 7/31/98 (2) --Term expires 7/31/99 (3) --Term expires -12/31/2000 May 21, 1998 (8:41 PM)
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Alphabetical List of Members
DESIGNATED FEDERAL OFFICIAL
Robert J. Knox, Acting Director
Office of Environmental Justice
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW (MC 2201A)
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Don J. Aragon - 3 years
Wind River Environmental Quality
Commission
Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes
P.O. Box 217
Fort Wasakie, WY 82514
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Leslie Ann Beckhoff - 2 years
Conoco lnc./DuPont
One Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1000
Lake Charles, LA 70629
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: leslie.a. [e-mail]
Christine Benally -1 year
Sanostee Chapter of the Navajo Nation
P. 0 . Box 722
Shiprock, NM 87420
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: cbenally@navsra. navajo. ihs.gov
Sue Briggum - 2 years
Waste Management
North Building #300
601 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail:
[e-mail]
Dollie B. Burwell -1 year
Office of Congresswoman Eva Clayton
400 West 5th Street, Suite 106
Greenville, NC 27834
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Expiration Dates: 1 year= 7131/98
1997-98
CHAIR
Haywood Turrentine - 1 year
Executive Director
Laborers' District Council of Education & Training
Trust Fund of Philadelphia & Vicinity
500 Lancaster Pike
Exton, PA 19341
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
OTHER MEMBERS
Luke W. Cole -2 yea rs
Center on Race, Poverty and the
Environment
California Rural Legal Assistance
Foundation
631 Howard Street, Suite 330
San Francisco, CA 94105-3907
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Mary R. English -1 year
Energy Environment and Resources
Center
University of Tennessee
600 Henley Street, Suite 311
Knoxville, TN 37996-4134
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Rosa Franklin -2 years
Washington State Senate
409 Legislative Building
P. 0 . Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98504-0482
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail] .gov
Arnoldo Garcia - 2 years
Development Director
Urban Habitat Program
Earth Island Institute
2263 41 st Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Grover Hankins-1 year
Environmental Justice Project
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne Avenue
Houston, TX 77004
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
James Hill -2 years
Klamath Tribe
P. 0 . Box 436
Chiloquin, OR 97624
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Lawrence G. Hurst -1 year
Communication & Public Affairs
Motorola, Inc.
3102 N. 56th Street
Mail Drop R 56-103
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Annabelle Jaramillo - 3 years
Office of the Governor
Room 160, State Capitol
Salem, OR 97310
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: annabelle. [e-mail]
Lillian Kawasaki -1 year
City of Los Angeles Department of
Environmental Affairs
201 North Figueroa Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
2 year= 7131199 3 years= 12/31/2000
Charles Lee - 1 year
Director of Environmental Justice
United Church of Christ
Commission for Racial Justice
475 Riverside Drive, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10115
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] or [phone]
E-mail: 103001 [e-mail]
Vernice Miller -3 years
Environmental Justice Initiative
Natural Resources Defense Council
40 West 20th Street
New York, NY 10011
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Gerald Prout -2 years
FMC Corporation
1667 K Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Rosa Hilda Ramos - 2 years
Community of Catano Against Pollution
La Marina Avenue
Mf 6, Marina Bahia
Catano, Puerto Rico 00962
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Expiration Dates: 1 year= 7131/98
Arthur Ray -1 year
Maryland Department of the Environment
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Jane Stahl-3 years
Assistant Commissioner
State of Connecticut
Department of Environmental Protection
79 Elm Street
Hartford, CT 06106-5127
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: none
Gerald Torres -3 years
University of Texas Law School
727 East Dean Keeton, Room 3.266
Austin, TX 78705
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Baldemar Velasquez - 1 year
Director
Farm Labor Organizing Committee
1221 Broadway
Toledo, OH 43609
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: bvelasquez@access_toledo.com
Damon P. Whitehead -3 years
Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under
Law
1450 G St., NW, Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Margaret L. Williams -2 years
Citizens Against Toxic Exposure
6400 Marianna Drive
Pensacola, FL 32504
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: none
2 year= 7131/99 3 years= 12/31/2000
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
List of Members by Stakeholder Category
1997-1998
DESIGNATED FEDERAL OFFICIAL
Robert J. Knox, Acting Director
Office of Environmental Justice
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW (MC 2201A)
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
ACADEMIA-3
Mary R. English -1 year
Associate Director
Energy Environment and Resources
Center
600 Henley Street, Suite 311
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996-4134
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Grover Hankins -1 year
Director, Environmental Justice Project
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne Avenue
Houston, TX 77004
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Gerald Torres -3 years
University of Texas Law School
727 East Dean Keeton, Room 3.266 ·
Austin, TX 78705
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
INDUSTRY-4
Leslie Ann Beckhoff -2 years
Conoco/DuPont (CMA)
One Lakeshore Drive, Suite 1000
Lake Charles, LA 70629
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Sue Briggum -2 years
WMX Technologies, Inc.
601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
North Building #300
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
CHAIR
Haywood Turrentine
Executive Director
Laborers' District Council of Education and Training
500 Lancaster Pike
Exton, PA 19341
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
OTHER MEMBERS
Industry (continued)
Lawrence G. Hurst -1 year
Chief of Staff, Communication & Public
Affairs
Motorola, Inc.
3102 N. 56th Street
Mail Drop R 56-103
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: r38060@email. sps. mot. com
Gerald Prout -2 years
FMC Corporation
1667 K Street, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
COMMUNITY -3
Dollie B. Burwell -1 year
Warren County Concerned Citizens
Against PCB
P. 0 . Box254
Warrenton, NC 27589
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Rosa Hilda Ramos -2 years
Community of Catano Against Pollution
La Marine Avenue
Mf 6, Marine Bahia
Catano, Puerto Rico 00962
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Margaret L. Williams -2 years
Citizens Against Toxic Exposure
6400 Marianna Drive
Pensacola, FL 32504
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: none
NON-GOVERNMENT -4
Luke W. Cole -2 years
Center on Race, Poverty and the
Environment
California Rural Legal Assistance
Foundation
631 Howard Street, Suite 330
San Francisco, CA 94105-3907
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Charles Lee -1 year
Director of Research
United Church of' Christ
Commission for Racial Justice
475 Riverside Drive, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10015
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: 103001 [e-mail]
Haywood Turrentine -1 year
Laborers' Distric Coucil of Education and
Training
500 Lancaster Pike
Exton, PA 19341
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Baldemar Velasquez -1 year
Director
Farm Labor Organizing Committee
507 South St. Clair Street
Toledo, OH 43602
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: none
ST A TE/LOCAL -5
Rosa Franklin -2 years
Washington State Senate
409 Legislative Building
P.O. Box 40482
Olympia, WA 98504-0482
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Annabelle Jaramillo -3 years
Office of the Governor
Rom 160, State Capitol
Salem, OR 97310
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Lillian Kawasaki -1 year
General Manager
City of Los Angeles
Environmental Affairs Department
201 North Figueroa Street, Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Arthur Ray -1 year
Maryland Department of the Environment
2500 Broening Highway
Baltimore, MD 21224
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Jane Stahl -3 years
Assistant Commissioner
Department of Environmental Protection
State of Connecticut
79 Elm Street, 3rd Floor
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: none
TRIBAL -3
Don J. Aragon -3 years
Wind River Environmental Quality
Commission
Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes
P.O. Box217
Fort Wasakie, WY 82514
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Christine Benally -1 year
Sanostee Chapter of the Navajo Nation
P. 0 . Box 722
Shiprock, NM 87420
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
James Hill -2 years
Klamath Tribe
P. 0 . Box436
Chiloquin, OR 97624
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: none
ENVIRONMENTAL -3
Vernice Miller -3 years
Director
Environmental Justice Initiative
Natural Resources Defense Council
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Arnoldo Garcia -2 years
Development Director
Earth Island Institute
2263 41st Avenue
Oakland, CA 94601
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Damon P. Whitehead -3 years
Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights
Under Law
1450 G Street N.W., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Terms of Expiration:
1 year = 7/31/98
2 years= 7/31/99
3 years= 12/31/2000
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
Member Biographies
Don Aragon, Executive Director for Wind River Environmental Quality Commission, Fort Washakie,
Wyoming
As Executive Director for Wind River Environmental Quality Commission (WREQC) for the Shoshone and
Northern Arapaho Tribes, Mr. Aragon is responsible for the administration and management of the WREQC
Programs and development of operations and procedures. Mr. Aragon started his career with the Wind River
Indian Reservation in 1989 as the Business Manager before beginning his current position in 1991 . He has
worked for different Tribal Governments for the past twenty years. Prior to working in management for
Indian Tribes, he worked as a medical technologist in the medical field for fifteen years.
Leslie A. Beckhoff, Conoco lnc./DuPont, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Ms. Beckhoff is the Director of Gulf Coast Public Relations, External Affairs, Planning & Communications
for Conoco lnc./DuPont and is an active member of CMA's Environmental Justice Task Group. She provides
public relations guidance and counsel to DuPont operations in Louisiana and Conoco's Gulf Coast region ,
which encompasses upstream and downstream operations in 14 states and offshore Gulf of Mexico. In 1991,
Ms. Beckhoff took an active role in a community relocation in Ponca City, OK, and has just completed
service on a Policy Jury Task Force in Calcasieu Parish, LA, which reviewed and made recommendations
on buffer zone issues. She also participated in the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's
Environmental Justice Panel during 1994-1995.
Christine Jean Benally, Sanostee Chapter of the Navajo Nation, Shiprock, New Mexico
From 1991 to 1997, Dr. Benally was the director of Dine CARE (Citizens Against Ruining our Environment),
a grassroots organization which works to protect the ecosystem, tradition and culture of the Navajo Nation.
Dr. Benally received her doctorate in philosophy in Environmental Health in 1993, with a dissertation entitled,
"The Navajo Nation: Insecticide Application and Environmental Impacts". She has performed various
research stints including producing a safety video tape on seat belts, environmental chemistry work, and
studies on pesticide residue in soil and surface water in livestock areas. She has also worked as an Injury
and Prevention Control Specialist at the Indian Health Service, a Chemist and an Environmental Health
Sanitarian. Dr. Benally now works with the Sanostee Chapter of the Navajo Nation.
Sue Briggum, Director of Governmental Affairs of Waste Management, Washington, D.C.
Ms. Briggum has been a Director of Governmental Affairs in the Washington, D.C. office of Waste
Management since 1987. Ms. Briggum is responsible for issues arising in federal legislation and regulations
affecting the Waste Management companies, focusing recently on Superfund reform and urban
redevelopment initiatives. Before joining Waste Management, she was an environmental regulatory attorney
and Superfund litigator with the environmental department of Piper and Marbury and its predecessor, Wald,
Hackrader, and Ross. She is co-author of the Hazardous Waste Regulation Handbook: 8. Practical Guide
to RCRA and Superfund. She has served on the EPA's NACEPT Superfund Advisory Committee and has
been an active member of the NEJAC's Waste and Facility Siting Subcommittee.
Dollie Burwell, Warren County Concerned Citizens Against PCB, Warrenton, North Carolina
Dollie Burwell is currently the Co-Chair of a community-based group in North Carolina, Warren County
Concerned Citizens Against PCB. For the past 25 years, Ms. Burwell has served as both a community
organizer and a human rights activist. She has participated in a variety of community activities including
civil rights activities, organizing for the fight against a PCB landfill, organizer of citizen protests concerning
contaminated water sites, and leadership efforts in over a million dollars of grant awards from the North
Carolina Legislature and the state for environmental efforts. Ms. Burwell currently serves on the Board of
Directors of the North Carolina Clean Water Fund, as the Vice-Chair for the Warren County NAACP, and
as a member of the National Association of Black Public Administrators.
Luke Cole, General Counsel, Center on Race Poverty, & the Environment, California Rural Legal
Assistance Foundation, San Francisco, California
Mr. Cole is a civil rights and environmental attorney with many years of experience. Some of his case-work
National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
Member Biographies
Pa e 2
includes; representing community groups throughout California on issues as diverse as toxic waste
incinerators, herbicide spraying after timber harvest, the siting of garbage dumps, cyanide heap leach gold
mines, pesticide poisonings, and tire incinerators. He has published dozens of articles on environmental
justice. Mr. Cole co-founded and edits the Race, Poverty and the Environment journal, the first and only
national publication dedicated solely to providing a forum for the environmental justice movement. His
achievements have been recognized by the American Bar Association magazine naming him one of "20
Young Lawyers Making a Difference" in 1992.
Mary R. English, Associate Director, Energy, Environment, and Resources Center, University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee
Ms. English has been the Associate Director of the Energy, Environment, and Resources Center as well as
the Senior Fellow of the Waste Management Research and Education Institute at the University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, TN since 1988. Ms. English holds a Ph.D. in sociology with a concentration in
environmental sociology. Her research and publications have included social and political aspects of
environmental management, stakeholder participation in decisions concerning future uses of contaminated
sites, and national as well as international energy issues. Ms. English has served on numerous boards and
committees, including the National Academy of Sciences Board on Radioactive Waste Management,
National Academy of Sciences Committee on Health Effects of Waste Incineration and the Advisory
Committee to the National League of Women Voter's Nuclear Waste Education Project.
Rosa Franklin, Representative, Washington State Senate, Olympia, Washington
Senator Franklin has been in the Washington State Senate since 1993 and previously in the State House
of Representatives for two years. She has been a pioneer in Washington regarding environmental justice
and has utilized her legislative position to help with the environmental justice cause. Her committee
assignments include Health & Long-Term Care, Human Services & Corrections and Rules. Ms. Franklin
currently serves on the League of Women Voters, Tacoma Urban League, NAACP, and Safe Streets.
Arnoldo Garcia, Development Director, Urban Habitat Program for the Earth Island Institute, Oakland,
California
Since 1995, Mr. Garcia has been the Development Director of the Urban Habitat Program for the Earth
Island Institute. He is responsible for preparation of fund-raising proposals and maintaining communications
with supporters. Previously, Mr. Garcia served as the Project Director for EDGE: Alliance of Ethnic and
Environmental Organizations and organized their statewide conference called "Environmental Justice,
Population, and the New Majority Color". He has also worked as resource coordinator for the National
Network for Immigrant and Refugee Rights in Oakland, California.
Grover Glenn Hankins, Professor of Law, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas
Mr. Hankins is a professor of law at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. For
over twenty years Mr. Hankins has been involved in the legal career practicing general civil law and criminal
prosecution, training attorneys and law students. Prior to teaching at Texas Southern University, Mr. Hankins
was the Principal Deputy General Counsel for the United States Department of Health and Human Services
in Washington, D.C. and the General Counsel for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP) in Baltimore, Maryland. In his early career as an attorney he worked in private practice
and as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice for the Criminal Division and the Civil Rights Section.
He is the author of many publications on toxic injustice and serves as a member of many environmental
justice groups. In addition he has taken part in panels and made many presentations on contaminated
communities.
James Hill, Klamath Tribe, Chiloquin, Oregon
Mr. Hill currently works as the legal counsel to the Klamath Tribe. Mr. Hill previously was an assistant
professor at Arizona State University. He taught courses on Native American issues, the environment, and
tribal law. From 1993 through 1995, Mr. Hill was the senior assistant tribal attorney for the White Mountain
Apache Tribe of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. He has also worked for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 10 as lead attorney on Indian Law Issues. Mr. Hill was also the Deputy
National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
Member Biographies
Pa e 3
Prosecuting Attorney in Clar1< County, Washington and a Judicial Clerk to the Honorable John Jeriderks and
Honorable John Kelly from the 7th Judicial District for the State of Oregon . In addition to his extensive legal
experience , Mr. Hill has written many publications and has spoken frequently on Native American
environmental issues.
Lawrence G. Hurst, Director, Communications Motorola, Inc., Scottsdale, Arizona
Mr. Hurst is the Director of Communications at Motorola, Inc. and is responsible for managing the firms
public relations, community relations and advertising campaign. He is the chairperson of the Motorola
Environmental Equity team within the company. Mr. Hurst has a B.S. in Communications Technology and
a M.B.A. Recently, Mr. Hurst served on the Arizona Comparative Environmental Risk Project and in 1994
served on the Arizona Commission of the Environment's Equity Conference Steering Committee.
Annabelle E. Jaramillo, Citizens' Representative for the Office of Governor John A. Kitzhaber, Salem,
Oregon
Ms. Jaramillo is currently the Citizens' Representative for the Office of Governor John A. Kitzhaber in Salem,
Oregon. As the Administrator of the Governor's citizen contact office, Ms. Jaramillo has long been an
advocate for sound environmental stewardship and has been an advocate on environmental justice issues.
Ms. Jaramillo has worked for over fifteen years as a community activist and organizer. Her achievements
have been recognized by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce naming her "Government Hispanic
Business Advocate of the Year" in 1995. In the past she has served on numerous boards that include
Oregon's American Civil Liberties Union, Oregon's Civil Rights Advisory Counsel, and Oregon's Board of
Visitors on Minority Affairs.
Lillian Y. Kawasaki, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Environmental Affairs, Los
Angeles, California
The Environmental Affairs Department, where Ms. Kawasaki is the General Manager, recommends
environmental policies, implements, and coordinates adopted policies and programs, and is the centralized
source of environmental information and educational programs for the residents and businesses of Los
Angeles. Ms Kawasaki has been an active member of the NEJAC Waste and Facility Siting Subcommittee.
In addition, she serves on the U.S. EPA Local Government Task Force Advisory Committee, the External
Advisory Board for the National Center for Environmental Decision-Making Research, and is the first
Environmental Chairperson for the Los Angeles City Mayor's Council on International and Sister Cities.
Chartes Lee, Director of Research, United Church of Christ Commission on Racial Justice, New York,
New York
Charles Lee is the Director of Research for the Commission for Racial Justice for the United Church of
Christ. Mr. Lee organized the First National People of Color Leadership Summit held in Washington D.C.
He directed and authored the Commission's landmar1< study, Toxic Waste and Race in the United States:
A National Report on the Racial and Socio-Economic Characteristics of Communities with Hazardous Waste
Sites, the first comprehensive national study of the demographic patterns associated with the location of
hazardous wastes. He has met with EPA on environmental justice issues, and was named to the EPA
Superfund NACEPT Committee.
Vernice Miller, Director, Environmental Justice Initiative, Natural Resources Defense Council, New
York, New York
Ms. Miller is responsible for developing the Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC), environmental
justice strategies to fight the disproportionate burden of pollution borne by people of color and the poor and
for coordinating all environmental justice efforts within NRDC's various programs. In addition, she has
served as the principal research assistant for the landmark report Toxic Wastes and Race in the United
States, published by the United Church of Christ Commission for Racial Justice; she co-founded the West
Harlem Environmental Action (WHEAcn, one of the leading community-based environmental justice
advocacy organizations in the nation; and she served as the Northeast Region facilitator for the First National
People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, participating as a member of the drafting committee in
writing the Principles of Environmental Justice.
National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
Member Biographies
Pa e 4
Gerald Prout, Director of Regulatory Affairs, FMC Corporation, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Prout has been with the company since 1979 and in his most recent position since 1987. He has held
previous positions in public affairs and state government relations for the company's Chemical Products
Group. FMC is a diversified global manufacturer of machinery and chemicals for government, business and
agriculture. Mr. Prout has written various publications on environmentally responsible business and serves
on advisory committees regarding the Chesapeake Bay and Superfund.
Rosa Hilda Ramos, Community of Catano Against Pollution, Puerto Rico
Ms. Ramos is the spokesperson on behalf of the environmentally abused community of Catano. The
community group is called CUCCO and it is a grass roots environmental organization that fights pollution
of the Catano Air Basin area in Puerto Rico. Catano is the smallest town on the island of Puerto Rico, having
an area of only 5 square miles. The 36,000 residents who live there are totally surrounded by a very high
concentration of toxics and hazardous substances and are economically disadvantaged.
Arthur Ray, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment, Baltimore, Maryland
Mr. Ray was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Environment for the State of Maryland in June 1995. He
is responsible for directing all aspects of pollution control and environmental protection in Maryland. His
previous experience involves being the Manager, Permits and Licensing, of the Potomac Electric Power
Company's (PEPCO) Environmental Group, serving as the Senior Environmental Attorney for the Baltimore
Gas and Electric Company, and serving as legal counsel with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Mr. Ray has made significant contributions in the field environmental justice.
Jane Stahl, Assistant Commissioner for Air, Waste and Water, Department of the Environment,
Hartford, CT
Ms. Stahl has been with the Department of Environment since 1978. Previously as the Assistant Director
of Long Island Sound Programs her responsibilities included supervision of coastal permitting and
enforcement and program/policy development for Long Island Sound. As an active member of the
nationwide Coastal States Organization (CS0), Ms. Stahl has worked to ensure state interests are considered
in federal actions affecting coastal areas. Ms. Stahl served as the immediate past chair of CSO's Legal
Counsel and was co-preparer of the treatise, Putting the Public Trust to Work, 2nd Edition.
Geraldo Torres, Professor of Law, University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
Mr. Torres is currently a professor at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas. As a law professor in Real
Property Law, Mr. Torres has written many publications, including Environmental Justice: The Legal Meaning
of 6 Social Movement, Environmental Burdens and Democratic Justice and Indians, Natural Resources and
the Trust Responsibility. His achievements have been recognized by the Hispanic National Bar Association
naming him "Hispanic Law Teacher of the Year" in 1990-91. In addition he has taken part in various panels,
workshops and has made several presentations on environmental justice and tribal issues at various
universities that include Yale, Stanford, Harvard and the Washington University Law School.
Haywood Turrentine, Executive Director, Laborers' District Council of Education and Training Trust
Fund of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Exton, Pennsylvania
Currently, as the Executive Director for the Laborers' District Council of Education and Training Trust Fund
of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Mr. Turrentine serves as the Chief Organizer in an effort to increase
membership in Labors' International Union of North America among workers traditionally not represented
by Unions. Mr. Turrentine has extensive experience in various organizations and funds such as the LIUNA,
Chester County Opportunities Industrialization Centers, Inc. and the Laborers' Training Trust Fund. He has
written about and spoken on various issues concerning community-based employment, youth preparation,
and training professionals for the 1990s. Previously, when Mr. Turrentine was the Executive Director for the
Laborers Training School in Exton, Pennsylvania, he oversaw the residential live-in campus where members
were trained in all environmental courses, lead abatement, asbestos removable hazardous waste worker,
radiation workers and other associated construction skills. Mr. Turrentine has served on various boards
which include the Private Industry Council of Chester County, the West Chester NAACP, as well as the
Network Group (a think tank in West Chester, Pennsylvania).
National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
Member Biographies
Pa e 5
Baldemar Velasquez, President, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, Toledo, Ohio
As the President of the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), Mr. Velasquez has provided extensive
organizing experience. This experience includes in recent years the negotiation through union agreements
for the elimination of the pickle industry's sharecropping structure, the complete organization of the pickle
industry in Ohio and Southeast Michigan and the historic conference with Mexico's agricultural unions
establishing a U.S. Mexico commission to oversee joint organizing-negotiation efforts with FLOC and
corresponding Mexican unions. Several of his most recent awards include the highest Leadership Award
from the Hispanic Heritage Awards, Mexico's Agulla Azteca Award (highest award given to a non-citizen)
and the Development of People Award, Campaign for Human Development.
Damon P. Whitehead, Staff Attorney, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Washington,
D.C.
Mr. Whitehead litigates environmental and civil rights cases on behalf of people of color and low income
populations. He represents, advises, and lobbies on behalf of concerned individuals, community groups,
national and local environmental organizations. Prior to joining the Lawyers' Committee, Mr. Whitehead was
an attorney with the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund were he helped organize and litigate environmental
justice cases. Prior to joining the Legal Defense Fund, he was a student attorney in the environmental law
section at the Institute for Public Representation at Georgetown University Law Center.
Margaret Williams, President, Citizens Against Toxic Exposure (CATE), Pensacola, Florida
Ms. Williams was elected as president of CATE in 1991 . As President, she provides oral and written
presentations in matters relating to toxic exposure and organizes and presents informational workshops and
programs. Prior to her work for CATE, Ms. Williams worked as a Training Coordinator, Elementary and
Secondary school teacher, and Dean of Students. She recently received an appointment to the Governor's
Commission of Environmental Equity and Justice.