NYS DEC, DEC to Implement Environmental Justice Program -- Press Release
       


      FOR RELEASE: Monday, October 4, 1999 
      CONTACT: Jennifer Post (518) 457-5400
      DEC to Implement Environmental Justice Program
      State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner John P. 
      Cahill today announced the creation of a new program to address 
      environmental justice concerns and ensure community participation in the 
      state's environmental permitting process.
      "Governor Pataki recognizes the importance of environmental justice and 
      the need for community involvement in permitting decisions that 
      potentially impact the environment and public health," Cahill said. "This 
      program will ensure that local communities are given an opportunity to 
      express their concerns and that those concerns are considered when making 
      permitting decisions."
      In announcing the program, Commissioner Cahill appointed Monica Abreu 
      Conley, a senior attorney in DEC's Division of Environmental Enforcement, 
      as the state's new environmental justice coordinator.
      Conley will oversee DEC's effort to plan and develop a comprehensive 
      environmental justice program, oversee its implementation and work 
      cooperatively with community organizations, environmental groups, 
      municipalities and the business community on environmental justice 
      matters. Conley also will work closely with DEC permitting staff to 
      address pending permits involving environmental justice concerns.
      In addition, two new staff positions will be added to DEC's Division of 
      Environmental Permits to address environmental justice issues in the 
      permitting process. One new employee will be based in DEC's central office 
      in Albany, while the other will work in DEC's New York City office.
      Environmental justice seeks to address disproportionately high and adverse 
      human health or environmental effects on minority and low-income 
      populations.
      "The creation of a strong environmental program with an effective 
      coordinator can make a real difference in improving issues of enforcement 
      and regulation that impact the health and well being of communities of 
      color throughout New York State," said Peggy Shepherd, executive director 
      of the West Harlem Environmental Action Committee (WEACT).
      Aaron Mair, president of Arbor Hill Environmental Justice, Inc. said: "As 
      the lead environmental justice organization in the Capital Region, Arbor 
      Hill Environmental Justice, Inc. endorses the steps taken by Governor 
      Pataki and Commissioner Cahill to build a bridge of understanding to 
      environmentally impacted low-income communities. The appointment of an 
      environmental justice coordinator, is a fundamental recognition that 
      inclusion of all voices is key to progressive community participation in 
      environmental policy enforcement, regulation and rule-making."
      Paul J. Elston, chairman of the New York League of Conservation Voters, 
      said: "I think it is very smart for Governor Pataki to move aggressively 
      on the environmental justice issue. I know both the Governor and 
      Commissioner Cahill consider the issue very important, as does the entire 
      environmental community. Setting up a program that will fully evaluate the 
      environmental justice impact of projects, early in the permitting process, 
      is a good first step in the effort to integrate these considerations into 
      all government decision making."
      DEC's environmental justice program will formalize existing practices 
      within the state's permitting process and develop new policies and 
      strategic initiatives that enhance the state's effectiveness in ensuring 
      fair treatment of all individuals regardless of race, ethnic origin or 
      socioeconomic status. These efforts are expected to include enhanced 
      community outreach, public hearings, the use of alternative dispute 
      resolution and additional public information efforts.
      During the past year, DEC held a series of meetings with interested 
      parties to discuss environmental justice issues in New York State. The 
      meetings highlighted the desire for a better coordinated, comprehensive 
      state policy that provides guidelines for regional permitting staff on 
      analyzing and evaluating environmental justice concerns.
      "Through our meetings with environmental justice representatives, we have 
      gained a better understanding of the concerns surrounding this issue and 
      the steps we can take to address them," Cahill said. "In naming an 
      environmental justice coordinator, DEC is moving ahead with our goal of 
      developing and implementing a state program to ensure that the public's 
      rights are not overlooked in the permitting process."
      Cahill said that addressing environmental justice and facility compliance 
      issues early on in the permitting process is the most effective strategy 
      for preventing or reducing disproportionately adverse environmental 
      effects on low income and minority communities.
      Conley received her B.A. in psychology from the State University of New 
      York at Binghamton and holds a law degree from Albany Law School. She has 
      worked in the department's Division of Environmental Enforcement for five 
      years as an attorney responsible for the implementation of the hazardous 
      waste management enforcement program.
      Conley, who begins her new duties immediately, resides in the Albany area 
      with her husband, William Conley. Her annual salary is $62,324.