Prioritizing communities that have experienced the greatest harms
Federal Investments Can Rectify Harm
Refinements to federal programs can accelerate restoration progress, while ensuring that communities most impacted by pollution benefit from restoration investments.
One principle of our democracy is that the people affected by a problem should have a say in its solution. For restoration work, this can be accomplished by ensuring greater public participation—especially those most impacted by pollution—to provide feedback on these programs, including which projects are chosen, how investments are prioritized, and who does the work.
But Serious Threats Remain
Unfortunately, many cities and towns continue to live with unsafe drinking water due to pollution, sewage overflows, and other serious threats. Disturbingly, some communities disproportionately bear the brunt of pollution and environmental degradation, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Low-income communities, Black people, People of Color, and Indigenous Peoples are more likely to experience the serious health impacts of water pollution—from families in cities who risk lead poisoning due to aging infrastructure to people in rural communities who cannot drink their well water because of toxic PFAS contamination. These disparities have been created in part by policies that have segregated communities, barred access to economic opportunity, and excluded some groups of people from decision-making.
These impacts of systemic racism and differing access to power have caused lasting harm for some of our communities and the people who live in them.
Featured Success Story
Restoring Local Creek Brings Diverse Communities Together
Calvin College faculty are improving the Plaster Creek’s water quality and promoting environmental justice through green infrastructure restoration, biological and social research, and community education.
Relevant Resources
Factsheet: Equity and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Panel: Equity and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Panel: Moving Forward Together: Reimagining the Environmental Movement
Panel: Engaging Members of Great Lakes Communities in Decisions about Water and Water Funding
Panel: How do we make sure water infrastructure funds go where they’re most needed?
Panel: Cultivating Authentic Partnerships with Tribes and Tribal Leaders