(Emphasis added where appropriate.)
**************************************
From page 1:
"DHS ability to affect environmental justice arises principally through environmental review of the impact of our own operations, financial assistance to state, local and tribal governments, and through regulatory permitting activities. Recognizing that the incorporation of environmental justice policies may be highly variable across parts of the Department depending on a components mission, this Environmental Justice Strategy is intended to promote a comprehensive, consistent and adaptive strategy among our components. In August 2011, DHS joined a Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Justice (EJ MOU) to participate in government-wide environmental justice efforts, consistent with DHS own authorities and missions, and is a 'Participating Agency' in the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice, pursuant to section III.B of the EJ MOU."
From page 2:
"Along the Nations land borders and coastal waters, DHS has a significant physical presence, principally through the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where environmental justice considerations arise. Through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) work in emergency preparedness and response, the agency helps ensure environmental justice in communities that must prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, or recover from an emergency or disaster."
From page 3:
"A.How the Environmental Justice Strategy Was Developed
DHS began the development of this Environmental Justice Strategy with the Secretary of Homeland Securitys participation in the White House Environmental Justice Forum in December 2010. Initially through participation in the Interagency Environmental Justice Working Group, DHS began tailoring its strategy to its mission requirements by establishing internal environmental justice points of contact in its major areas of responsibility. From these points of contact, DHS formed a working group of those components with a larger role in ensuring that environmental justice is appropriately considered in securing the homeland. The working group was co-chaired by the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) and the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Environmental Programs within the Management, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO) and met regularly to identify programs already implemented with consideration to environmental justice. Figure 1, at the end of this Strategy shows the offices of DHS that participated in this internal work group. This strategy was developed over the course of a year-long process of discussion and formal internal review. These ongoing efforts reinforced the Departments commitment and are listed in Appendix B." (Funny how the word "Congress" doesn't appear in this paragraph, huh?)
Page 4:
"Environmental justice considerations are taken into account at the earliest stages of planning new policies, programs and activities by OCAO, which has Department-wide oversight of asset management and of environmental and historic preservation planning and compliance."
From page 5:
"Effectively communicating through active outreach efforts with the public, the academic community, other agencies, and non-federal governmental entities, including government-to government contact with tribes, to anticipate, understand, and resolve specific issues of concern raised by our activities, including activities designed to adapt to climate change. Communication on initiatives related to environmental justice will implement the DHS Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons (http://www.dhs.gov/xabout/laws/gc_1277242893223.shtm, along with multi-lingual summaries), and with the Departments forthcoming language access plan."
From page 9:
"Environmental justice has been a consideration in DHS activities since early in the formation of the department. In addition, some components of DHS came into the department with a legacy of consideration of environmental justice because they formerly existed within departments that were required to comply with the EO. USCG was covered by the EO because it was part of the Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1994. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was also covered, since it was formed within DOT in November 2001. Similarly, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service, most of which has become a component of DHS, was covered by the EO because it was part of the Department of Justice in 1994. However, FEMA voluntarily undertook efforts to comply with the EO in 1994, although it was an independent agency at that time.
Consideration of environmental justice became a formal operating requirement in DHS with the issuing of Directive 023-1, Environmental Planning Program, in April 2006. Directive 023-1 implemented NEPA and required that environmental justice considerations be a part of the review process required by NEPA*."
*In 1969, NEPA, or the National Environmental Policy Act, was one of the first laws ever written that establishes a broad national framework for protecting our environment. NEPA's basic policy is to assure that all branches of government give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that could significantly affect the environment."
http://www.epa.gov/region1/nepa/
And what is "environmental justice" again ?
"Mother Jones: Can you briefly explain what 'environmental justice' means to you?
Van Jones: Environmental justice is the movement to ensure that no community suffers disproportionate environmental burdens or goes without enjoying fair environmental benefits."
http://motherjones.com/environment/2008/10/qa-van-jones
Mmmmhmmmm..... and why is "environmental justice" so important, Vannie ?
"VJ:Well, the only reason that we have the unsustainable accounting that we have right now is because incinerators, dumping grounds, and sacrifice zones were put where poor people live. It would never have been allowed if you had to put all the incinerators and nasty stuff in rich people's neighborhoods; we'd have had a sustainable economy a long time ago. We'd have had a clean and green economy a long time ago. It's the environmental racism that allowed the powerful people in society to turn a blind eye for decades to the downsides of the industrial system that got us to this point. So there's a direct relationship between environmental racism and the lack of sustainability of society as a whole. We were the canaries in the coal mines, crying for relief. Now finally the consequences are affecting everyone, with global warming and everything else. The other thing is that the environmental justice agenda is also changing. Before, it was much stronger on demanding equal protection from environmental bad. Now we are also demanding equal opportunity and equal access to environmental good. We don't want to be first and worst with all the toxins and all the negative effects of global warming, and then benefit last and least from all the breakthroughs in solar, wind energy, organic food, all the positives. We want an equal share, an equitable share, of the work wealth and the benefits of the transition to a green economy."
http://motherjones.com/environment/2008/10/qa-van-jones
This is now government policy. Not by an act of Congress mind you, but by an Executive Order.
God help us all.
If the evil bastard is re-elected, this will seem mild compared to other Edicts he issues.
Ping!
That would be Janet Napolitano.
There is no end!
FYI— I started a semi-humorous, maybe a bit serious thread if you want to check it out....
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2870094/posts
Department of Homeland Security. Created with it’s nazi sounding name in the aftermath of 9/11. Had the supposed mission to protect us from islamic attacks.
Now it is expressly the friend of islam, and has turned all it’s attention on us, and is dedicated to pushing revolutionary socialist goals. Last thanksgiving they produced videos of the dangers of Turkey frying.
It has only been 10 years, and they resemble nothing of what they were allegedly created for.
Lesson learned.
To those who wonder: What does agitating for “environmental justice” have to do with the stated purpose of the DHS?
Simply this: The Left will turn any and every heirarchy into a community organizing tool if they can. The only solution is massive, massive cuts to federal bureaucracies.
Forced relocation into an urban war zone here we come.
Lightman can give further info about Bishop Hanson and his crusade for "social justice" which is basically "hate whitey".
This "Social Justice" is the SDS of 2012!!!
Can we have a Woodstock too? I already predicted months ago a repeat of the 1968 DNC in Chicago this year with the dirt bags in the Occupy Movement. The unwashed masses of filth will crawl into North Carolina and cause chaos.
From page 2 of the document: “Along the Nations land borders and coastal waters, DHS has a significant physical presence, principally through the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where environmental justice considerations arise. Through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) work in emergency preparedness and response, the agency helps ensure environmental justice in communities that must prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, or recover from an emergency or disaster.”
Hey FEMA, how about ensuring environmental justice along our southern borders and keep the invading illegals from destroying the physical, social, political, and economic environment of our our border states?
“Along the Nations land borders and coastal waters, DHS has a significant physical presence, principally through the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), where environmental justice considerations arise. Through the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) work in emergency preparedness and response, the agency helps ensure environmental justice in communities that must prepare for, mitigate against, respond to, or recover from an emergency or disaster.”
Like this from http://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/state-department-refugee-meeting-your-chance-to-voice-your-opinion/
Every year the US State Department holds a meeting/hearing to learn what US citizens are thinking about the refugee resettlement program and so they can help the President determine how many refugees we will take in the next fiscal year.
The meeting is dominated by federal contractors (LOL! they call them voluntary agencies) who stream in and ask for more refugees. In past years few citizens or local elected officials have questioned the notion that the US can take in more impoverished immigrants from the worlds political hot spots.
They claim the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA 1970). There were some real environmental problems in 1970, but it has vague language (the road to hell) such as "Title I of NEPA contains a Declaration of National Environmental Policy which requires the federal government to use all practicable means to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony."
(As the Tyrant calls it to protect his Islamic brothers.)
The “Broken Window Theory” explains why minorities often have health and environments are less than optimal.
I grew up in a neighborhood of Boston called Mattapan. The main street was called “Blue Hill Avenue”. It was a thriving community that produced a number of famous people, including Leonard Nimoy.
Mattapan has since become synonymous with Redlining, Blockbusting, and Urban Decline. Just Check Wiki!
I nostalgically picked up a movie called “Blue Hill Avenue” at Blockbuster, and it turned out to be about a Crack Dealer...and he was the HERO!
Ugh. You can’t go home anymore.
I went to an “environmental justice awareness” meeting. At one point they were ranting about how some 90% of minorities live within 5 miles of a refinery.
Well in this town EVERYONE lives within 5 miles of a refinery! And also next to a major airport and a sewage plant.