EPA's Title VI - Policies, Guidance, Settlements, Laws and Regulations
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EPA's Title VI Policy
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made improving its civil rights program a priority and recognizes that its enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) is an important tool in its efforts to protect against discrimination and ensure that recipients of EPA financial assistance do not discriminate in implementing programs and activities. On January 29, 2013, EPA released two draft policy papers via its website for public comment. The first paper, Adversity and Compliance With Environmental Health-Based Thresholds (PDF)(5 pp, 216 K, About PDF), proposes to change the way EPA assesses “adversity” by having the Agency refrain from applying a “rebuttable presumption” in certain Title VI investigations. The second paper, Roles of Complainants and Recipients in the Title VI Complaints and Resolution Process (PDF)(4 pp, 52 K, About PDF), discusses EPA’s clarification of the roles of complainants and recipients in the Title VI complaint process. Consistent with its goal to promote transparency, EPA initially posted these documents on its website and sent notification of the posting to stakeholders who previously had expressed an interest in agency activities. On April 26, 2013, EPA published these documents in the Federal Register with a 30-day comment period in an effort to further expand the potential audience who may see these documents. Also, EPA hosted outreach sessions via teleconference with interested stakeholders concerning these two draft policies on April 30, 2013 and May 14, 2013.
Policies and Guidance
On June 27, 2000, EPA published two draft Title VI guidance documents in the Federal Register for public comment, the Draft Title VI Guidance for EPA Assistance Recipients Administering Environmental Permitting Programs (Draft Recipient Guidance) (PDF) (53 pp, 668 K, About PDF) and the Draft Revised Guidance for Investigating Title VI Administrative Complaints Challenging Permits (Draft Revised Investigation Guidance).
Civil Rights Information and Publications
Information about the June, 2000 Title VI draft guidance documents
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (PDF) (8 pp, 25 K, About PDF)
- Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 13 K, About PDF)(2 pp, 13K, About PDF)
Title VI Policy Documents
- Full text of Federal Register notice (PDF) (53 pp, 668 K, About PDF)
- The document also is available at the EPA Federal Register site
- EPA press release on the publication of the draft guidance documents
- Process for Revising EPA's Interim Guidance for Investigating Title VI Administrative Complaints Challenging Permits
- Executive Order 13166 entitled, "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency (PDF)" (3 pp, 227 K, About PDF)
- Department of Justice policy guidance document to help Federal agencies implement EO 13166, entitled "Enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964-National Origin Discrimination Against Persons with Limited English Proficiency (PDF)." (3 pp, 146 K, About PDF)
Other Publications
- Procedures for Hearings Conducted Pursuant to 40 CFR Part 7--Nondiscrimination in Programs and Activities Receiving Federal Assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (PDF)(18 pp, 115 K, About PDF)
- Attorney General's memorandum on "The Use of the Disparate Impact Standard in Administrative Regulations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964" (PDF)(2 pp, 107 K, About PDF)
- EO 13084 on Consultation with Tribal Governments
- Presidential Memorandum on Alternative Dispute Resolution
- EPA's Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center (PDF) (2 pp, 49 K, About PDF)
- EPA Memorandum: Cumulative Risk Assessment Guidance-Phase I Planning and Scoping (PDF)(2 pp, 25 K, About PDF)
- US Commission on Civil Rights: Getting Uncle Sam to Enforce Your Civil Rights (brochure)
Environmental Justice
- Title VI and Environmental Justice at EPA
- Executive Order 12898, "Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations."
- Presidential Memorandum (PDF)(2 pp, 45 K, About PDF) accompanying Executive Order 12898
- The Model Plan for Public Participation (PDF)(20 pp, 464 K, About PDF) developed by the Public Participation and Accountability Subcommittee of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council
Internet Links
- EPA's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ)
- U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Coordination and Review SectionExit
- Brownfields Homepage
- EPA Grant Information System query form