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Environmental Justice

Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument (Maine)

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental justice combines civil rights with environmental protection.

We ask: Are all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, receiving fair treatment and meaningful involvement with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies?

What does the U.S. Attorney’s Office do?

The U.S. Department of Justice enforces the Nation’s civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. We also protect natural resources and handle cases relating to tribal rights and resources.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office seeks to secure environmental justice for all communities, to ensure that everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to a healthy environment in which to live, learn, play and work.

What can I do?

Please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 207-780-3257 or email at USAME.FileaComplaint@usdoj.gov to report environmental, health, and safety concerns. Notifying our Office helps us protect the community from harmful violations of federal health & safety laws.

Who else can I contact?

If the violation relates to:

  • Air quality
  • Climate change
  • Chemicals and toxics
  • Health
  • Land, waste, and cleanup
  • Water

Report the violation to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations

 

If the violation concerns workplace conditions such as chemicals or noxious fumes:

  • Contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at: 800-321-6742 

 

If the violation concerns pesticides harming wildlife:

  • Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 800-344-9453

 

To report an oil or chemical spill:

 

If the violation concerns filling of or damage to wetlands:

  • Contact the EPA New England Customer Call Center at 617-918-1111 or contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maine Project Office at 207-623-8367

 

If the violation concerns medications, cosmetics, biological products, and other products for human consumption:

 

If you are concerned about discriminatory environmental and health impacts caused by recipients of federal funds: