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The Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) environmental justice efforts are progressing and focused on reaching further into communities across the state.
Environmental justice (EJ) is based on the principle that regardless of race, national origin, age, or income, no segment of our population should bear disproportionately high and adverse effects of environmental pollution.
“The term means different things to different people and it’s meaning continues to evolve,” said MDE Secretary Kendl P. Philbrick. “Regardless of the many interpretations of EJ, one thing holds true - some communities are at much greater risk for environmental hazards and economic deprivation. In these communities, we must strive to mitigate harmful effects and improve the quality of life of residents.”
MDE is committed to promoting an environmental justice culture within the department and to raising awareness about EJ issues statewide. MDE is taking steps to achieve EJ through enhanced public participation in the permitting process, holding EJ awareness training for staff and implementation of the Environmental Benefits Districts (EBD) program launched in 2003.
Environmental Benefits Districts (EBD) are places where state government and other stakeholders, working with community residents, can focus their financial, technical, regulatory, administrative, policy, and other resources to conduct on-the-ground projects to benefit communities most in need. In 2004, MDE designated two geographic areas as EBDs: central Prince George’s County and east Baltimore City.
Since the designations, MDE has employed a variety of program resources, including grant funding of almost $1 million to improve environmental conditions in these districts.
In central Prince George’s County, some of MDE’s coordinated program support include:
- Air quality improvements through grant funds for diesel
engine retrofits for school buses;
- Fostering participation in the ‘Green Schools’ initiative;
- Compliance assistance for drycleaners and gas stations;
- Additional monitoring of MDE permitted facilities; and
- Brownfields assessments to revitalize blighted properties.
In East Baltimore, MDE has provided assistance by:
- Retrofitting Mass Transit Adminstration buses for ultra low
sulfur fuel use;
- Using supplemental environmental projects (SEP) funds to
retrofit school boilers to reduce emissions;
- Implementing an auto body shop compliance assistance
program; and
- Reviewing the East Baltimore Redevelopment Demolition
protocols to ensure minimal exposure of residents to potential
hazards resulting from demolition activities.
In 2005, MDE hopes to designate two additional districts. MDE has earmarked
parts of the Gwynns falls watershed, particularly the southwestern part of
Baltimore City, to be designated as an EBD. The designation will facilitate MDE
assistance for watershed restoration efforts, playground projects, greater
enforcement activities, grant writing support and educational outreach to
schools and communities in the area.
Additionally, MDE will consider parts of the Eastern Shore and Western
Maryland for programmatic assistance. MDE will work with counties,
municipalities, and community-based organizations to identify areas within the
state that are environmentally challenged or at highest risk.
“Implementing the EBD program is one mechanism that MDE is employing to
achieve environmental justice,” Secretary Philbrick added. “Systemic changes to
address environmental justice issues should not be the responsibility or task of
a single government agency or department. Adapting programs that are responsive
to the changing needs of communities and developing new approaches to community
development require engaged and facilitated dialogues among government officials
and stakeholders at all levels.”
MDE senior staff regularly reaches out to other state agencies, local
governments, and potential partners to raise awareness about environmental
justice in Maryland, promote the concept of EBDs, and garner support for
collaboration.
Maryland’s Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities
was established by law in 2003. The body is charged with reviewing state
policies and programs, listening to community concerns and making
recommendations to the governor and state agencies about ways to create healthy,
safe, economically vibrant, and environmentally sound communities for all
Marylanders. The body generally meets monthly and its meetings are open to the
public.
For more information call Dorothy Morrison, MDE’s Environmental Justice
Administrator, at (410) 537-3897 or visit
http://mde.maryland.gov/programs/Crossmedia/EnvironmentalJustice/
Pages/WhatisEJ.aspx
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