MEMORANDUM 

SUBJECT: Posting EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0293, Plan EJ 2014: Considering EJ Concerns in 

EPA's Permitting Process 

FROM: Charles Lee 

 Deputy Associate Assistant Administrator for Environmental Justice 

 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance 

This memorandum authorizes the posting of EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0293, Plan EJ 2014: 

Considering EJ Concerns in EPA's Permitting Process 

Plan EJ 2014 is the EPA’s roadmap to integrating environmental justice in the Agency’s 

programs, policies and activities. An important principle for Plan EJ 2014 is transparency and 

engagement with impacted communities and all stakeholders. Since a Draft Plan EJ 2014 

framework document was issued for public comment on July 27, 2010, EPA has developed 

Implementation Plans for each of its nine cross-Agency elements, organized in two categories: 

(1) Cross-Agency Focus Areas, and (2) Tools Development. These elements are: 

Cross-Agency Focus Areas 

 Incorporating Environmental Justice into Rulemaking 

 Considering Environmental Justice in Permitting 

 Advancing Environmental Justice through Compliance and Enforcement 

 Supporting Community-Based Action Programs 

 Administration-Wide Action on Environmental Justice 

Tools Development 

 Science 

 Law 

 Information 

 Resources 

We want you to help us identify ways in which we can strengthen these Implementation Plans. 

We are accepting your comments from now through April 29, 2011. We won’t be able to 

respond to every individual comment, but we value your input and will give your ideas careful 

consideration. 

To help put your suggestions in proper context, we have opened ten dockets for this effort. 

There is one docket for each of the nine elements listed above and one for general comments that 

address Plan EJ 2014 overall or issues that span multiple elements of the plan. To share your 

ideas, follow these steps: 

1. Review the dockets listed below (Attachment 1), and select the topic that best fits how 

you wish to comment. 

2. As you do, keep these considerations in mind: 
 We will uphold our mission to protect human health and the environment for all 

people, including minority, low-income, indigenous and other overburdened 

populations. 

 Our Implementation Plans are designed to build on a foundation of strong science and 

the application of existing statutory authorities. 

 We require measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and stakeholder 

engagement. 

 To the extent practicable, we encourage approaches that foster environmental, health, 

and economic benefits to achieve healthy, sustainable, and green communities. 

 Our Implementation Plans are tailored to reflect the Agency’s existing resources. 

Please be as specific as possible when submitting your comments. We have provided questions 

and categories to help you formulate your ideas (Attachment 2) but do not intend to restrict the 

issues that you may wish to address. 

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of 

Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues? 

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, 

low-income, indigenous and other overburdened populations? 

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders 

when implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014? 

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen 

implementation of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address 

such issues? 

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal 

agencies to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014? 

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to 

bring to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014? 

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened 

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014? 

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in 

this area of Plan EJ 2014? 

Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0293 by one of the 

following methods: 

 www.regulations.gov: Follow the on-line instructions for submitting comments. 

 Mail : "Plan EJ 2014: Considering EJ Concerns in EPA's Permitting Process" 

Docket, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center, Mailcode 28221T, 1200 

Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20460. 

 Hand Delivery: "Plan EJ 2014: Considering EJ Concerns in EPA's Permitting 

Process" Docket. EPA/DC, EPA West. Room 3334, 1301 Constitution 

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Such deliveries are only accepted during the 

Docket's normal hours of operation, and special arrangements should be made for 

deliveries of boxed information.
EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included in the public docket without change 

and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 

information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 

Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not 

submit information that you consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through 

http://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an 

"anonymous access" system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact 

information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you send an e-mail comment 

directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be 

automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 

and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that 

you include your name and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any 

disk or CD- ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 

and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to consider your comment. 

Electronic files should avoid the use of special characters, avoid any form of encryption, and be 

free of any defects or viruses. For additional information about EPA's public docket, visit the 

EPA Docket Center homepage at http://www.cpa.gov/cpallomc/dockets.htm. 

Should you have questions regarding this memorandum, please contact Charles Lee at 202-564-

2597, or via email at lee.charles@epa.gov

Attachments: 

1) Table of Docket Categories and Titles 

2) Questions to Help You formulate Your Comments 
Category and Docket Title Docket ID

By Cross‐Agency Focus Area

Plan EJ 2014: Rulemaking

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Incorporating

Environmental Justice into Rulemaking

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0291 

Plan EJ 2014: Permitting

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Considering

Environmental Justice in Permitting

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0293 

Plan EJ 2014: Compliance and Enforcement

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Advancing

Environmental Justice through Compliance and Enforcement

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0297

Plan EJ 2014: Community‐Based Action

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Supporting

Community‐Based Action Programs

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0296 

Plan EJ 2014: Interagency Coordination

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Administration‐Wide

Action on Environmental Justice

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0298 

By Tools Development Area

Plan EJ 2014: Science Tools Development

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Science Tools

Development

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0290 

Plan EJ 2014:Legal Tools Development

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Legal Tools

Development

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0294 

Plan EJ 2014: Information Tools Development

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Information Tools

Development

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0295 

Plan EJ 2014: Resources Tools Development

This docket contains public suggestions on how EPA can strengthen its EJ 2014

Implementation Plans for a Cross‐Agency Focus Area, specifically: Resources Tools

Development

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0292 

General

Plan EJ 2014: General

This docket contains general public suggestions regarding ways to strengthen EPA’s

roadmap to integrating environmental justice in its programs, policies and activities.  This

docket should be used when the commenter is not sure what other category to choose,

or if the comment addressed Plan EJ 2014 as a whole or spans multiple categories.

EPA-HQ-OECA2011-0299
          Attachment 2  

   

Plan EJ 2014: Strengthening Implementation Plans to Integrate Environmental Justice in EPA Programs,

Policies and Activities

Questions to Help You Formulate Your Comments

Plan EJ 2014 is the roadmap to integrate environmental justice into EPA’s programs, policies and

activities.  As part of EPA’s commitment to transparency and engagement with impacted communities

and all stakeholders, we are seeking input on these Draft Implementation Plans.  Since a Draft Plan EJ

2014 framework document was issued for public comment on July 27, 2010, EPA has developed Draft

Implementation Plans for each of Plan EJ 2014’s nine elements, organized in two categories: (1) Cross‐

Agency Focus Areas, and (2) Tools Development.  These elements are:

Cross‐Agency Focus Areas

 Incorporating Environmental Justice into Rulemaking

 Considering Environmental Justice in Permitting

 Advancing Environmental Justice through Compliance and Enforcement

 Supporting Community‐Based Action Programs

 Administration‐Wide Action on Environmental Justice

Tools Development

 Science  

 Law

 Information

 Resources

We want you to help us identify ways in which we can strengthen these Implementation Plans.  We are

accepting your comments from now through 4/29/2011.  We won’t be able to respond to every

individual comment, but we value your input and will give your ideas careful consideration.

To share your ideas, please follow these steps:

1. Review the categories below, and select the topic(s) that best fits how to wish to comment.

2. As you do, keep these key considerations in mind:

 We will uphold our mission to protect human health and the environment for all people,

including minority, low‐income, indigenous and other overburdened populations.

 Our Implementation Plans are designed to build on a foundation of strong science and the

application of existing statutory authorities.

 We require measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement.

 To the extent practicable, we encourage approaches that foster environmental, health, and

economic benefits to achieve healthy, sustainable, and green communities.
 Our Implementation Plans are tailored to reflect the Agency’s existing resources.

Please be as specific as possible when submitting your comments.  We have provided questions and

categories to help you formulate your ideas (Attachment 2), but do not intent to restrict the issues that

you may wish to address.

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through Plan EJ 2014, and

what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in each of

the nine areas covered by Plan EJ 2014?

Categories by which you may comment

1. Cross‐Agency Focus Areas

a. Incorporating Environmental Justice into Rulemaking  

b. Considering Environmental Justice in Permitting  

c. Advancing Environmental Justice through Compliance and Enforcement  

d. Supporting Community‐Based Action Programs  

e. Administration‐Wide Action on Environmental Justice  

2. Tools Development

a. Science  

b. Law  

c. Information  

d. Resources  

3. General ‐ This docket contains general public suggestions regarding ways to strengthen EPA’s

roadmap to integrating environmental justice in its programs, policies and activities.  This docket

should be used when the commenter is not sure what other category to choose, or if the comment

addressed Plan EJ 2014 as a whole or spans multiple categories.

Areas for Consideration

Incorporating Environmental Justice into Rulemaking

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0291
 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?

Considering Environmental Justice in Permitting

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0293

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?

Advancing Environmental Justice through Compliance and Enforcement

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0297

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?
 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?

Supporting Community‐Based Action Programs

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0296 

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?

Administration‐Wide Action on Environmental Justice

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0298

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   
 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?

Science Tools Development

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0290 

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?

Legal Tools Development

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0294 

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?
Information Tools Development

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0295 

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?

Resources Tools Development

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0292 

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?
General

(Docket #) EPA-HQ-OECA-2011-0299 

 Can you suggest major issues that could receive greater attention through this area of Plan EJ

2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 In what ways can our strategies better focus on and address the concerns of minority, low‐

income, indigenous and other overburdened populations?  

 How can EPA better engage communities, our regulatory partners, and all stakeholders when

implementing this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there scientific or legal issues that could be clarified in order to strengthen implementation

of this area of Plan EJ 2014, and what steps should EPA take to address such issues?

 What specific suggestions do you have for how EPA can work with other federal agencies to

accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?   

 Are there particular communities, projects, initiatives, partnerships that you would like to bring

to our attention to accomplish the goals of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 How can EPA foster environmental, health and economic benefits for overburdened

communities through the actions of this area of Plan EJ 2014?

 Are there success stories and lessons learned that you would like to share with EPA in this area

of Plan EJ 2014?