Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, communities and neighborhoods, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Grounded in the struggles of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement, environmental justice sounded the alarm about the public health dangers for their families, their communities and themselves.

“Every five years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency takes comments from communities across the country and I want to make sure that they hear from Tampa Bay,” U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said about kicking off a series of roundtable discussions this week with community leaders on environmental justice. 

“Environmental Justice ensures all communities, families and individuals enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards. We have an opportunity to assist in developing forward-thinking policies that recognize how environmental protection, health and economic development interact, especially among our under-resourced communities.”

U.S. Rep. Castor held these community discussions to gather input as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency updates its programs, policies and activities related to advancing environmental justice in Tampa Bay and throughout the country. 

Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch said taking sufficient strides in environmental justice could be very meaningful as Pinellas County moves forward with its 2020 plan to tackle poverty in South St. Petersburg.

“I think of environmental justice as a way to help us address poverty in our community,” Commissioner Welch said. For instance, Healthy Tampa Bay indicators show that areas of concern for emergency room use in South St. Petersburg are due to asthma and other health conditions; 67 percent of emergency room visits in this area that require urgent care become a financial hardship for the patient. Nationally, asthma also disproportionately affects children and families with lower incomes and minorities, according to the EPA. 

In Hillsborough County, local leaders have counted on the EPA’s Brownfield program to spur economic development and provided a positive impact that extends well beyond environmental.

“The Brownfield program provides so much opportunity for areas to be redeveloped – it’s a win-win for everyone,” said retiring Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission Executive Director, Dr. Rick Garrity. “The most successful example is the IKEA site.” 

Hillsborough County has the largest number of Brownfield sites at 51, according to the Hillsborough County EPC. Tampa Family Health Centers have opened under the Brownfield redevelopment program, including a site in East Tampa that became a national model. The Encore development is another Brownfield success story.

“While Republicans in Congress have historically aimed at slashing funding support for the EPA, Tampa Bay has benefitted greatly from its grants and programs, and stands to benefit even more with comprehensive policies that advance environmental justice,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. 

The EPA recently released a framework for its next overarching strategic plan, Environmental Justice 2020 Action Agenda, and is seeking input from stakeholders through June 15. U.S. Rep. Castor is working with the EPA to gather comprehensive feedback on behalf of Tampa Bay.

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