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The Environment and Natural Resources Division (“ENRD”) of the United States Department of Justice published a document titled:
Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy – Annual Report (“Report”)
The Report is DOJ’s first report detailing what DOJ says is:
. . . the progress the Department has made in advancing environmental justice under the Strategy, through the efforts of components across the Department in our new Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ).
In 2022 DOJ issued a document denominated the “Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy” which has four principles:
- Principle 1: Prioritize cases that will reduce public health and environmental harms to overburdened and underserved communities.
- Principle 2: Make strategic use of all available legal tools to address environmental justice concerns.
- Principle 3: Ensure meaningful engagement with impacted communities.
- Principle 4: Promote transparency regarding environmental justice enforcement efforts and their results.
The Report, in describing the implementation of these four principles, details specific cases and related activities. It is current through August 3, 2023.
The ENRD is the division of DOJ responsible for bringing cases against those that violate United States environmental laws. It also defends the federal government in litigation arising under a number of environmental statutes. The ENRD also includes DOJ’s Office of Environmental Justice.
A copy of the Report can be downloaded here.
