What is Environmental Justice?

Cal Portland's proposed mining expansion into and draining of the Vashon Aquifer, a regional aquifer that is part of a Sole Source, will bring about significant, permanent, and irreversible damage to our watershed (including Edmond Marsh, a Class 1 Wetland and Sequalitchew Creek which drains to the Puget Sound).  What will dewatering do to our drinking water QUALITY?

We have a right to know beforehand.

From the Environmental Protection Agency's Web site:
http://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/basics/index.html

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.

What is meant by fair treatment and meaningful involvement?

• Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies
  
• Meaningful Involvement means that:
  1. people have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health;
  2. the public’s contribution can influence the regulatory agency’s decision;
  3. their concerns will be considered in the decision making process; and
  4. the decision makers seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected

EPA and Environmental Justice

EPA's goal is to provide an environment where all people enjoy the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process to maintain a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.

EPA's environmental justice mandate extends to all of the Agency's work, including setting standards, permitting facilities, awarding grants, issuing licenses and regulations and reviewing proposed actions by the federal agencies.

EPA works with all stakeholders to constructively and collaboratively address environmental and public health issues and concerns.

It is time to let the city of DuPont, Cal Portland and all the rest of the participants that we are tired of being left in the dark and not included in discussions that will have direct impacts, potentially adverse, permanent effects to our community.

What do you think?  Please give us your thoughts about what is being proposed in DuPont!