ATLANTA - The E.P.A.'s (EPA) Gulf of Mexico Plan acknowledged the Center for Environmental & Economic Justice (CEEJ) in Biloxi, Miss., with a 2nd Place 2015 Gulf Guardian Award in the Environmental Justice Category. The awards ceremony was held today at the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, Texas.
For over 20 years, CEEJ has advanced environmental and social justice by working to eliminate environmental health hazards and promote economic sustainability in impacted, predominantly African-American communities through community education and training. Working in partnership with the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University in New Orleans, La., CEEJ has forged a new culturally-sensitive training model: the Minority Worker Training Program. The Minority Worker Training Plan offers neighborhood residents impacted by natural disasters opportunities to join forces with local construction workers and environmentalists and proactively clean up their neighborhoods by removing environmental contaminants from sediment, soil, homes and buildings. This Plan has resulted in unparalleled partnership between labor, environmental and community organizations, and academia.
"This is the 13th year of the Gulf Guardian Awards, and I am proud to say that each year the winners in all categories have represented the very best of environmental accomplishments in the Gulf of Mexico," said Diane Altsman, chief of staff for the Gulf of Mexico Program. "The Gulf of Mexico Plan partnership works to enhance the environmental health of the Gulf, and the Gulf Guardian Awards is an important way for us to recognize these valuable efforts."
CEEJ has conducted numerous community education campaigns in impacted communities in all 3 coastal counties along the Mississippi Gulf Coast to increase public awareness of various pollutants, including lead and creosote. As an example, CEEJ worked with the Turkey Creek community in Gulfport, Miss., to help residents address their concerns associated with the Cavenham Forest Industries (CFI) plant. CFI operated a plant producing wood products and used creosote, a possible human carcinogen, for the treatment of these products to retard deterioration. CEEJ worked with residents in Turkey Creek to complete health surveys and a risk assessment.
The Gulf of Mexico Plan initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 as a way to recognize and honor the individuals, businesses, community groups and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. First, 2nd and 3rd place awards are given in 7 categories: individual, business/industry, youth environmental education, civic/nonprofit organizations, cultural diversity/environmental justice, partnership and bi-national efforts.
The Gulf of Mexico Plan began in 1988 to protect, restore and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. The Plan is underwritten by the E.P.A. and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all 5 Gulf states. The Plan looks for to enhance the environmental health of the Gulf in concert with economic development.
More information about the Gulf of Mexico Program:
www.epa.gov/gmpo
Connect with E.P.A. Region four on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/eparegion4
And on Twitter: @EPASoutheast
