Environmental Justice

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) uses the definition from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to define environmental justice. The EPA defines Environmental Justice (EJ) as "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies." 

Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies.

Meaningful involvement means:

• People have an opportunity to participate in decisions about activities that may affect their environment and/or health;
• The public's contribution can influence the regulatory agency's decision;Community concerns will be considered in the decision making process; and
• Decision makers will seek out and facilitate the involvement of those potentially affected.

TDEC promotes environmental justice as part of our requirements under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ensuring nondiscrimination in our programs and activities. TDEC strives for the fair and equitable treatment of every community to ensure that decisions and actions do not have a disproportionate impact on communities with environmental justice concerns. The Department is committed to protecting the health of Tennessee's citizens and its environment, and to promoting environmental equity in the administration of its programs to the extent it may do so legally and practicably.

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