What is Environmental Justice?
Environmental Justice (EJ) is based on the principle that all people have a right to be protected from environmental hazards and to live in and enjoy a clean and healthful environment. EJ is the equal protection and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies and the equitable distribution of environmental benefits.
“Environmental Justice Population” is defined by the Environmental Justice Policy, issued by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in 2017, and updated in June, 2021, as
(A) a neighborhood that meets 1 or more of the following criteria:
- the annual median household income is not more than 65 per cent of the statewide annual median household income;
- (minorities comprise 40 per cent or more of the population;
- 25 per cent or more of households lack English language proficiency; or
- minorities comprise 25 per cent or more of the population and the annual median household income of the municipality in which the neighborhood is located does not exceed 150 per cent of the statewide annual median household income; or
(B) a geographic portion of a neighborhood designated by the Secretary as an environmental justice population in accordance with law.
EEA's EJ MapViewer displays Environmental Justice block groups within Massachusetts.
Civil Rights and Non-Discrimination: EEA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, income, ethnicity, class, handicap, religious creed or belief, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, English language proficiency or ancestry in administration of its programs or activities, and, it does not retaliate against or intimidate any individual because they have exercised their rights to participate in actions protected by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7 and all other applicable federal and state civil rights and non-discrimination laws and regulations.
Additional Resources
EJ MapViewer
The environmental justice map viewer is an interactive map that displays the 2020 EJ block groups, based upon demographic criteria developed by the state's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). Environmental Justice block groups are shaded in seven different colors depending on the demographics of the community.
Environmental Justice Strategy
EEA’s EJ Policy and Executive Order 552 require that the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources develop their own strategies to “proactively promote environmental justice in all neighborhoods in ways that are tailored to their agencies’ mission.”
The public comment period for the Draft Environmental Justice Strategy has closed. MDAR and other EEA agencies are in the process of reviewing comments that were provided, and will be posting a final version of the strategy, along with a response to comments in the future.
Environmental Justice Strategy and Translated Versions
The 2022 Draft Environmental Justice Strategy is available in the following languages for public comment:
English | Español | Português | 中国人 | Kreyòl ayisyen |
Tiếng Việt | عربي | ខ្មែរ | Русский | Kriolu
Request for paper copies in the above languages can be submitted by email to ej.inquiries@mass.gov or submitted in writing to:
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge St., Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
Attn: Carline Lemoine, Deputy Director of EJ for External Stakeholder Coordination
Past Environmental Justice Policies
The 2017 Environmental Justice Policy is available in:
Current Environmental Justice Initiatives
MDAR is currently working to…
- Enhance communication related to resources and information, targeting non-English media outlets, as well as local community organizations to disseminate information. Complete our Interest Form to share significant EJ media outlets with MDAR.
- Increase language access with greater availability to public documents with translation as well as interpretation services for public meetings (in person or electronic). Stakeholders can request translation of a document, or email our EJ point of contact, Rebecca.Davidson@Mass.gov, for translation/interpretation needs.
- Create an EJ workgroup within MDAR, with staff from each division, to develop, discuss and ensure that policies are implemented, as well as internal EJ trainings for all staff.
To receive regular updates on our Environmental Justice activities, please complete our Interest Form.
Get in Touch!
Sign up for our EJ newsletter to receive updates on MDAR's environmental justice activities. Click here to view past issues.
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MDAR EJ Point Person is Rebecca Davidson, who can be reached at Rebecca.Davidson@mass.gov or 857-202-7699.
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EEA EJ Director is Rishi Reddi who can be reached at rishi.p.reddi@mass.gov or 617-626-1039
Additional Resources
Environmental Justice Complaints
For any environmental justice concerns, complaints, compliments or ideas, or to find out more about our agency environmental, energy and climate justice efforts, please contact EEA’s Office of Environmental Justice by reaching out to:
Rishi P. Reddi
Director of Environmental Justice Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
100 Cambridge St., Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
Email: Rishi.p.reddi@mass.gov
or
Carline L. Lemoine
Deputy Director of Environmental Justice for External Stakeholder Coordination
100 Cambridge St., Suite 900
Boston, MA 02114
Email: Carline.lemoine2@mass.gov
Federal Laws and Executive Orders
Massachusetts Executive Order on Environmental Justice:
The Executive Order 552 was issued on November 25th, 2014 requiring Secretariats to take action in promoting environmental justice.
Enhancing Access to Information
In order to enhance equitable access to information, MDAR has published a booklet and flyers that provide an overview of agency programs and services. These materials are available upon request, and are translated into several languages.
To order printed materials, please contact Olivia Palmer at Olivia.Palmer@Mass.gov or Rebecca Davidson at Rebecca.Davidson@Mass.gov.
Additional Resources
| Date published: | December 20, 2022 |
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| Last updated: | December 20, 2022 |