Organization: MIDWEST ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES
Mission: PROVIDE LEGAL AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WORKING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN THE WESTERN GREAT LAKES AND MISSISSIPPI RIVER REGION.
Activities: MEA PROVIDES LEGAL AND TECHNICAL REVIEWS OF WATER AND AIR POLLUTION PERMITS ISSUED BY THE STATE OF WISCONSIN'S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR ADEQUACY AND COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL CLEAN AIR AND WATER LAWS. TIMELY REVIEW AND LEGAL ACTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT THE ISSUANCE OF DEFICIENT PERMITS THAT WILL FURTHER DEGRADE THE WATERS OF WISCONSIN, THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BASIN, AND THE WESTERN GREAT LAKES. MEA'S GOAL IS TO WORK WITH CITIZENS TO TAKE LEGAL ACTIONS TO ENDURE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS PROTECT THE LIFE, HEALTH, AND PROPERTY OF COMMUNITIES IN THESE WATERSHEDS.
MEA EDUCATES GRASSROOTS GROUPS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, AND HOW TO BUILD THEIR OWN CAPACITY TO ADVOCATE FOR CLEAN AIR AND WATER IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE SEEK TO ENSURE EQUAL ACCESS TO THE LAW FOR ALL CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, WHO WORK TO PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WE ALL HOLD IN COMMON.
MEA WORKS TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY AND WETLANDS, AND PROMOTE COORDINATION OF THE PUBLIC AGENCIES IN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND LAKE MICHIGAN BASINS BY PROVIDING LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITY GROUPS AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING TO PROTECT THE BASINS ECOLOGY. IN SO DOING WE ASSIST RESIDENT AND LANDOWNERS WHOSE GOAL IS ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS THAT PROTECT THE HEALTH AND ECOLOGY OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. AS PART OF THIS EFFORT MEA WORKS TO IMPLEMENT THE GREAT LAKES COMPACT BY REVIEWING PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE COMPACT'S STANDARDS.
NTEE category: Environment
Secondary category: Food, Agriculture & Nutrition