The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Colorado are working together in an enforcement partnership for the advancement of environmental justice goals, the agency officials said.
EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) signed a memorandum of understanding to coordinate enforcement of environmental justice goals, according to EPA's news release issued Wednesday, March 9. EPA and CDPHE also will be meeting with communities to obtain local input and develop and implementation plan.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 Administrator Kathleen "KC" Becker
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"We know the burdens of pollution are often heavier in disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, which may result in significant impacts on health and quality of life," EPA Region 8 Administrator Kathleen "KC" Becker said in the release. "This agreement with Colorado focuses our compliance assurance, communication, community engagement and training efforts to address the disparities that exist in overburdened communities."
Becker, a Boulder resident and former speaker of the Colorado state House who served four terms in the state's Legislature, was appointed administrator of EPA's Region 8 in November. EPA's Region eight encompasses Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming and 28 tribal nations.
Colorado is the second state, after California, to reach a memorandum of understanding with the EPA about advancing environmental justice goals.
The partnership between EPA and CDPHE is intended to expand already existing collaborative activities in inspections, enforcement, compliance assistance, community engagement, communication and training. Those activities are themselves intended "to benefit public health and the environment in overburdened communities," the news release said.
"EPA and CDPHE will focus on compliance across various environmental laws and regulations that secure clean air, water, soil, and drinking water and protect people from exposure to hazardous waste and toxic chemicals," the news release continued. "These include urban and rural communities where people may be exposed to pollution from multiple sources."
Provisions in the six-page memorandum of understanding signed on Tuesday, March 8 by Becker and CDPHE Executive Director Jill Hunsaker Ryan include facilities inspections in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution. Other provisions include enhanced enforcement to reduce pollution and expand transparency through public engagement in those communities.
The memorandum between the two agencies is expected to last five years.
