The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a draft of the Interim Framework for Advancing Consideration of Cumulative Impacts, which aims to provide agency programs and regional offices with tools and principles to consider cumulative impacts in their work. The framework is based on scientific understanding of how pollution and other burdens affect individuals' and communities' health and well-being.
The EPA defines cumulative impacts as the totality of exposures to chemical and non-chemical stressors, including factors such as culture, socioeconomics, and other social determinants of health. The draft is open for public comment, including Tribal consultation, to ensure meaningful engagement in developing approaches that incorporate cumulative impacts into public health and environmental protections.
Theresa Segovia, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, stated: “Solving environmental inequities starts with acknowledging that not all communities face the same barriers and challenges. The Biden-Harris Administration and our office have made it a priority to ensure that the needs of the most overburdened and underserved communities in our nation are not overlooked.”
Jerome Shabazz from Overbrook Environmental Education Center expressed enthusiasm about the release: “Over the past two years, the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council has engaged with EPA on the important issue of cumulative impacts because the issue is so central to addressing the environmental plight of overburdened communities. I am excited that EPA is releasing this framework.”
Christian Menefee, Harris County Attorney in Texas, highlighted local challenges: “In communities like those I serve in Houston, people face shorter life expectancy and higher rates of diseases because of pollution and environmental inequalities. We owe it to them to take meaningful action.”
The framework outlines principles for considering cumulative impacts in decisions made by the EPA. These include improving human health outcomes across all communities, ensuring no community bears a disproportionate burden from environmental hazards, engaging with affected communities including Tribes, using science-based approaches for assessments, and integrating considerations into decision-making processes.
Examples provided within the framework demonstrate how these principles can be applied in practice. These include water permitting processes sensitive to Tribal cultural practices, enhanced analysis for air pollution rules protecting nearby communities from harm such as cancer risks, as well as updated guidance on residential soil lead levels.
To support this initiative furthering its strategic goals outlined for FY2022-FY2026 under Executive Order 14096 related to environmental justice commitments nationwide—EPA seeks public feedback by February 19th through Federal Register notice accessible via Docket ID No.EPA-HQ-OLEM-2024-0360 at Regulations.govExit website link provided therein.
