csaej -- The Campaign for State Action on Environmental Justice seeks a state policy for equal environmental protection.
About csaej	English (USA)
"Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." -U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Michigan is especially vulnerable to environmental racism. A variety of examples exist throughout the state in both rural and urban areas. For example, Detroit, our largest city is 80% African American, 5% Hispanic/Latino, part of the most segregated metropolitan area of the nation, and suffers from high unemployment. These factors and dependence on heavy industry expose Detroit and similar communities to environmental dangers. Factories provide employment but can also be sources for pollution. Rural areas suffer as well. Many low income rural communities become dumping grounds as sites for landfills. Additionally there are the health and safety risks for farm workers who are mostly low income and Latino. The nature of their work demands great exposure to toxic pesticides and other chemicals exacerbated by poor living conditions. People in both rural and urban communities are often forced to make choices between jobs and health. They have the right to both. We seek an end to environmental racism. A crucial step in that struggle will be made when the Governor of Michigan establishes a policy supporting environmental justice. An executive order should: 1. Have the state gather information and data on those communities and report that information to the Governor. 2. Make Environmental Justice a priority of all state agencies where these issues arise from the DEQ to the DOT. 3. Give those residents more of a say in the types of facilities that go into their communities if those facilities affect their health. There will be a mechanism for petition of grievances to any and all relevant state agencies. 4. Sanction the Precautionary Principle: Guide decision-making when considering a new technology or facility that is being proposed by prioritizing public health and the environment for any area of the state. An executive order must result in fair application of law and policy. The government of Michigan will serve all the people by providing equal protection and ensuring economic opportunity without endangering health. It will effectively establish that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity or income have the right to clean land, air and water. To see the collection of prior postings to the list, visit the csaej Archives.
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