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Applications for MPCA's environmental justice advisory group close soon!

One week remains to apply to serve on MPCA's environmental justice advisory group. This group, made up of diverse members from across the state, advises the agency on matters related to environmental justice. ?Applications are open through Monday, Feb. 13, 2023; application information is available on the MPCA?s environmental justice webpage.?

Three final information sessions for applicants on the MPCA?s environmental justice advisory group are scheduled this week. We will share the history of the advisory group, the challenges, and the learning/unlearning opportunities that occurred in the five years of the group?s convening.

• February 7, 5:30 p.m. (online)
• February 9, 1 p.m. (St. Paul)
• February 10, 1 p.m. (online)

Since its inception in 2016, the MPCA environmental justice advisory group has assisted the agency in elevating environmental justice as a foundational priority of its work to protect human health and the environment. As a direct result of the advisory group?s work, the MPCA is prioritizing permits and safeguards in environmental justice areas of concern and integrating equity into grantmaking decisions.?The agency has also improved the ways it engages with communities?during the permitting process and established internal initiatives to train and educate employees on diversity, equity, and inclusion topics so they are better prepared to understand and work with Minnesota?s diverse and multicultural communities.?

The environmental justice advisory group counsels the MPCA in five key areas:

• How to integrate environmental justice principles into MPCA?s work across the agency, such as permitting, compliance, and grant awards.?
• Agency activities and programs including prioritizing projects, identifying effective tools and criteria, continuous review and updating of outreach and engagement strategies, and training for MPCA staff. ?
• Best approaches to building stronger relationships with communities in environmental justice areas of concern and providing opportunities for meaningful engagement.??
• Legislative action planning and response.?
• Ways to measure progress toward environmental justice goals.

Working with the advisory group, the agency hopes to build trust with the public by increasing accountability and improving the ways it engages with diverse communities on permitting decisions and other work. The MPCA addresses this work with a sense of urgency, understanding that many communities are already in the throes of health and environmental disparities.

Past and current members of the advisory group hold professional positions in higher education, local and state government, and community sectors. Application information is available on the MPCA?s environmental justice webpage. Selection process will begin immediately after the application deadline of Monday February 13, 2023 and the group will reconvene in the early spring.

For more information, please contact:

Jos? Luis Villase?or, environmental justice outreach coordinator [email protected] 651-757-2575

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The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and human health.

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www.pca.state.mn.us ? Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864