New Environmental Justice Policy is "An Intentional Step" for DEM to Better Serve the Needs of all RI Communities

Published on Tuesday, October 03, 2023

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is excited to announce that after receiving extensive external and internal feedback on a draft plan, it has finalized an environmental justice (EJ) policy that prioritizes and incorporates fairness and justice in all agency programs and initiatives. The policy touches on every aspect of DEM’s operations, from recruiting and hiring more people of color in permanent and seasonal positions to directing solutions at the historic and disproportionate burden of environmental hazards faced by minority and low-income communities in Rhode Island.

“This is an intentional step to put EJ at the center of what we do because, historically in Rhode Island, neither environmental burdens nor environmental benefits including investment in infrastructure have been shared equally,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “DEM recognizes that all Rhode Islanders deserve to live in healthy, thriving communities, but, in fact, too many people lack access to safe places to live, work, learn, play, and grow. The feedback we have received has come from all our division chiefs and staff members who weighed in on the policy, and most importantly from our community stakeholders whom we serve. The public expects more from DEM and DEM has a key role in making Rhode Island a just place. We are stepping up.”

EJ means all Rhode Islanders – regardless of income, race, ethnicity, national origin, or zip code – have a right to live in a clean and healthy environment and to access environmental amenities like parks, playgrounds, and outdoor spaces. For several years, DEM has embedded EJ considerations into some environmental protection initiatives such as community scale air toxics monitoring in the EJ neighborhoods surrounding the Port of Providence and the assessment and remediation of brownfield sites that often are located in low-wealth communities across the state.

With the adoption of the new policy, however, “DEM’s ongoing obligation is to incorporate EJ considerations into all of the Department’s programs, policies, and activities, and elevate important environmental issues that have a significant impact on EJ focus areas,” the agency’s commitment statement says. It continues, “DEM will work with local government and community partners to assist with ongoing efforts toward diversifying DEM’s workforce by identifying top talent, permanent and summer job placement, and internship opportunities. Taking these important and intentional steps will support DEM’s commitment to strengthen the Department and better serve and reflect the needs of communities.”

“This was no small undertaking,” said DEM Climate Justice Specialist Chris Gaynor. “It took our team six months to consider and incorporate every person’s feedback into this policy. We genuinely did our best to have ample representation from Rhode Island communities, ensuring that our approach toward community organizations, neighborhood groups, faith communities, elected officials, and advocates for marginalized communities, including low-income communities and communities of color, reflects that of a participatory community decision-making process and bottom-up planning. We have a responsibility as an environmental authority to not take on this work isolated from the communities most impacted by structures of environmental oppression and risk. The communities most impacted by environmental hazards are those who have the most to offer in organizing for environmental justice outcomes. Let’s continue following their lead.”

DEM announced it was seeking input on its draft EJ policy in March. Since then, it has held many conversations, getting broad feedback and buy-in on the language both externally and internally.

Here is a link to the new EJ policy.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow DEM on Facebook, Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), or Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem) for timely updates.