The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region, alongside U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03), organized a roundtable at Norfolk State University to address environmental justice concerns in Norfolk. The meeting brought together around 20 experts and focused on strategies to tackle the city's pressing environmental challenges.
"Today’s efforts highlight the value in collectively working together to address environmental justice," said Leslie Gillespie-Marthaler, director of EPA Mid-Atlantic Region's Environmental Justice, Community Health, and Environmental Review Division (EJCHERD). She emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue for creating lasting change tailored to local needs.
The roundtable highlighted that parts of Norfolk are among the most vulnerable communities in the Mid-Atlantic Region, facing stressors such as air quality issues, flooding, and heat island effects. The discussion aimed to provide community leaders with an opportunity to share their experiences and explore solutions with government partners like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
"Norfolk is on the frontline of rising sea levels," stated U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03). He mentioned innovative approaches by the City of Norfolk to address coastal flooding risks, including a proposed flood wall in Downtown Norfolk.
Key topics discussed included environmental justice impacts on vulnerable communities, infrastructure resilience plans at federal and state levels, and collaborative solutions fostering transparency and inclusivity.
Cassandra Newby-Alexander from Norfolk State University remarked on the significance of such discussions: "This roundtable is a reflection of part of Norfolk State University’s mission...to educate and to be a voice for those who often don’t have one."
These initiatives demonstrate EPA's commitment to transparency and meaningful community engagement for building resilient futures. They form part of broader efforts across the Mid-Atlantic Region to enhance partnerships in protecting human health and the environment.
