The EPA office tasked with policing alleged civil rights abuses is chronically unresponsive to complaints and has never made a formal finding of discrimination.
The invasion of sewer flies moved residents of
University Place subdivision to turn to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency for help. Darting from a neighboring sewage plant, the
flies descended upon the mostly African-American neighborhood in Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, with such regularity that one resident posted this
warning sign: Beware of attack fly.
In 2009, residents grew so sickened by the
flies, odors and pollution emanating from the city's North Wastewater
Treatment Plant that they sought out the federal agency that has touted
the importance of tackling environmental racism.
"The citizens of University Place Subdivision
are still suffering through the dreadful, unhealthy, and downright
shameful conditions forced upon this community," wrote Gregory Mitchell,
whose mother, Mamie, erected that attack-fly warning atop her home, in a
complaint filed with the EPA's Office of Civil Rights.
A little-known niche within the EPA, the
civil-rights office has one mission: to ensure agencies that get EPA
funding — like the city of Baton Rouge — not act in a discriminatory manner. The mandate comes from Title VI
of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, a sweeping law prohibiting
racial discrimination by those receiving federal financial assistance.
Experts say the provision presents a significant legal tool for
combating environmental injustice.
Full article and video available here: Environmental Racism
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