Environmental Justice and Enforcement

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana vigorously enforces the nation’s environmental laws to address environmental, health, and climate impacts on individuals and communities within the district.  Through its casework, the Office gives force and effect to national policy, embodied in Executive Order 14008, which recognizes that “we face a climate crisis that threatens our people and communities, public health and economy, and, starkly, our ability to live on planet Earth.”   In accordance with this policy, the Office seeks to “hold polluters accountable for their actions,” and “combat the climate crisis with bold, progressive action that combines the full capacity of the Federal Government.” 

Because environmental and health hazards often have a disproportionately high and adverse impact on disadvantaged communities, the Office has appointed an Environmental Justice Coordinator within the Civil Division to further the Department’s mission to ensure that residents have access to clean air, and to protect groundwater, surface waters, and wetlands across Louisiana.

How to Contact the Office Regarding an Environmental Justice or Enforcement Matter  

The Office welcomes information from the public regarding possible environmental, health, and climate impacts on individuals and communities in the district.  You may submit information or concerns regarding environmental justice by email, mail, or phone. 

Email:

You can send your information or concerns by email to: Desiree.Williams@usdoj.gov 

Mail:

You can send your information or concerns by mail to: 

                        U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana

                        800 Lafayette Street, Suite 2200

                        Lafayette, Louisiana 70501

                        Attn: Environmental Justice Coordinator, Civil Division

Phone:

To submit a complaint by telephone, call 337-262-6618.

RECENT CASES

United States of America, et al v. Packaging Corporation of America

United States of America, et al v. Westlake Petrochemicals LLC, et al

United States of America, et al v. Firestone Polymers LLC

Statutes We Enforce:

The Office, in coordination with the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and partner agencies, enforces multiple federal laws covering a variety of activities that affect our environment. These statutes include:

• Clean Air Act (“CAA”), 42 U.S.C. § 7401, et seq. 

• Clean Water Act (“CWA”), 33 U.S.C. § 1251, et seq.

• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or “Superfund”), 42 U.S.C. § 9601, et seq.

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), 42 U.S.C. § 6901, et seq.

• Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”), 42 U.S.C. § 300f, et seq.

• Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”), 15 U.S.C. § 2601, et seq.

Other Resources

In addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office environmental justice initiative, the following websites for related federal agencies provide other helpful online resources and information:

U.S. Department of Justice Environmental and Natural Resources Division

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Environmental Justice at EPA