U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

2002 PRESS RELEASES, ADVISORIES AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO TESTIFY ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES BEFORE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

 

(Washington, D.C.) The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will continue to probe environmental justice issues this Friday, February 8th, after its general monthly meeting. Commissioners will hear testimony from EPA Deputy Administrator Linda Fisher and other agency heads on how the Administration is complying with environmental regulations in accordance with Executive Order 12898.  Other topics will include the impact of federal policies on low-income and minority communities and the effectiveness of environmental regulation enforcement in affected communities.

 

Last month, the Commission heard testimony from a range of academics, community advocates and industry experts on the health, housing, land use, economic development, transportation, and civil rights implications of federal environmental policies and practices.  Specific concerns of the Commission include disparities in enforcement of environmental codes and regulations, the impact of public health laws, compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and whether existing laws should be revised to incorporate greater awareness of environmental justice perspectives.

 

The general business meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the environmental justice hearing at 10:00 a.m.  Commission meetings are open to the media and the public.

 

WHAT:

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to hear testimony from federal officials on environmental justice

WHO:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

U.S. Department of Interior and U.S. Department of Transportation

WHEN:

Friday, February 8, 2002

8:30 a.m.

 

WHERE:

USCCR Headquarters

624 Ninth Street, NW

Room 540

 

(The Commission's offices, in the YWCA Building, are across from the Gallery Place Metro Stop and the Martin Luther King Library)

02/07/02