Environmental Justice Work Group

Purpose

The Environmental Justice Work Group (EJWG) brings together people in the watershed to help LISS actively move forward in its Environmental Justice implementation work and better serve the needs of minority and underrepresented communities who are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.

EJWG Goals

• To improve DEIJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice) literacy among existing partners to ensure an inclusive work environment and to effectively view projects through a DEIJ lens
• To enable meaningful involvement of disadvantaged and underserved groups in LISS decision-making processes
• To ensure all EJ needs within the watershed are fully identified and addressed

EJWG Objectives

• Identify barriers to LISS representation and access to resources
• Examine LISS implementation projects and develop a process to hold the program accountable to EJ priorities
• Set aside funds for EJ engagement and implementation
• Establish meaningful, strong working relationships with diverse and underrepresented groups
• Create mechanism, resources, programs, etc as necessary to support the meaningful involvement of new partners in LISS WGs and committees

Work Group Members

Co-chairs

• Nicole Tachiki, EPA Long Island Sound Office
• Bessie Wright, EPA Region 1
• Jimena Perez-Viscasillas, New York Sea Grant

Members

LISS encourages all interested organizations, groups, and individuals to join the EJWG. If you would like to join, please email Jimena at jbp255@cornell.edu to be added to our group mailing list.