Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice Overview

Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income regarding the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies, with no group bearing a disproportionate burden of environmental harms and risks.

For the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, environmental justice and disproportionate impacts to Justice40 communities are considered throughout the agency’s Civil Works programs and in all phases of project planning and decision-making. Environmental justice is achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protections and equal access to Civil Works programs and services to achieve a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.

Whether studying, planning, designing, constructing, and operating the USACE Civil Works projects or providing assistance, the USACE works to meet the needs of diverse communities by reducing disparate environmental burdens, removing barriers to participation in decision-making, and increasing access to benefits provided by Civil Works programs to Justice40 communities within the USACE authorities.

Covered Programs and Partnering Assistance Programs

Justice40 covered programs are Federal programs that make covered investments in any one of the following seven categories: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, and the development of critical clean water and wastewater infrastructure. Below are USACE covered programs and links to other Federal Agency programs that may provide communities partnering assistance. 

Environmental Justice Resources

The USACE uses a whole-of-government coordinated approach with other Federal Agencies to ensure alignment with Justice40 Initiatives:  

• ASA(CW) Environmental Justice Guidance
  • Economically Disadvantaged Community Definition
• USACE Interim Environmental Justice Strategic Plan: Community Outreach and Engagement
• White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
• EJ Screen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool | US EPA
• Explore the map - Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool (geoplatform.gov)
• USACE Environmental Justice Scorecard

Meet Some Of Our Environmental Justice Leads

Why our employees are excited about the USACE’s innovative efforts to ensure equity in water resource management? We asked, and this is what they had to say:

“Working in Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs for the last 25 years and seeing the opportunity to help Justice40 communities address critical water related infrastructure needs has been a life-long dream come true. The agency and DOD have been leaders in creating a more inclusive environment and I’m proud to be a part of its transformation!"
-Jerica, Environmental Justice Program Manager

“I’m excited about USACE’s innovative efforts to ensure equity… Because we’re empowered to LEARN through increased EJ literacy and application, NETWORK to strengthen internally and externally for “one government,” ENGAGE by hearing from communities directly, and to LEAD by doing the right thing."
-Eileen, MSC Environmental Justice Coordinator

“We are excited about USACE's innovative efforts to ensure equity in water management because we value the role of all people in decision making processes that impact their communities."
-Andrew, District Environmental Justice Lead