The Department of Justice has released its 2011 Annual Implementation Progress Report on Environmental Justice. This report details the work and achievements of the Department of Justice in carrying out its Environmental Justice Strategy and Executive Order 12898. 

The US Department of Justice is pleased to share its Environmental Justice Strategy and its Environmental Justice Guidance.  The Department initially prepared these documents to implement the Department’s commitments in the area of environmental justice following the issuance of Executive Order 12898 on February 11, 1994.  The Executive Order directed all federal agencies to develop a strategy that “identifies and addresses disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations.”  Sec. 1-103(a), Executive Order 12898.

The Department has carefully re-evaluated its Strategy and Guidance in light of the recently adopted Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice and Executive Order 12898 signed by DOJ and multiple other agencies in August 2011 to reflect renewed commitments on realizing the goals of environmental justice.  We believe our initial Environmental Justice Strategy and Guidance continue to fully reflect the goals and commitments of the Department of Justice.  We will continue to examine the Strategy and Guidance for potential revisions and welcome comments on these documents.

The Strategy and Guidance have helped guide many activities promoting environmental justice within the Department.  This website highlights examples of the important work and accomplishments in recent years, including a series of recent environmental justice listening sessions with community members and groups across the country, as well as results achieved in particular cases.