U.S. Department
of Justice
Environmental Justice
The Southern District of California is geographically and biologically diverse, covering beaches, mountains, grasslands, farmland, and deserts. The district is also home to myriad cultures and ethnic backgrounds and hosts millions of visitors annually, all of whom are entitled to enjoy a clean and safe environment. Yet, despite its biological richness, San Diego County is home to more imperiled plant and animal species than any other county in the United States. Meanwhile, air and water pollution; wildfires, droughts, and heatwaves exacerbated by a warming planet; and illegal dumping of hazardous waste have negatively impacted all who live in this region. By working to protecting our local environmental resources and enforce environmental laws and regulations, we can make our region healthier and stronger, and improve the quality of life for all residents.
The U.S. Department of Justice enforces the nation’s civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. We also protect natural resources and handle cases relating to tribal rights and resources. Working with our federal, state, and local partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office seeks to secure environmental justice for all communities, to ensure that everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to a healthy environment in which to live, learn, play, and work.
Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Your reporting of public health and safety concerns supports environmental protection and environmental justice. If you have concerns, you can reach out to our office or any of our partners listed below.
In the Southern District of California (San Diego county and Imperial County)
Contact our office at:
SanDiegoEnvironmentalJustice@usdoj.gov
Who to Contact:
If the violation impacts:
- Air quality
- Climate Change
- Chemicals and Toxics
- Health
- Land, waste, and cleanup
- Water
Report violations to the
Environmental Protection Agency at:
https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations
For air quality concerns in San Diego, contact the
San Diego County Air Pollution Control District
at 858-586-2650
For workplace conditions such as chemicals or noxious fumes:
Contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) at: 1-800-321-6742
For Wildlife:
Contact the United States Fish and Wildlife Service at 1-800-344-9453
For the destruction of Wetlands:
Contact your local district branch of the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ Office at 1-800-832-7828
For medications, cosmetics, biological products, and other products for human consumption:
Contact the United States Food and Drug Administration at 1-888-463-6332
To report an Oil or Chemical Spill:
Contact the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802
For hazardous materials complaints in San Diego, contact the San Diego County Dept. of Environmental Health Services at 858-505-6657
For concerns about discriminatory environmental and health impacts caused by recipients of federal funds:
SanDiegoEnvironmentalJustice@usdoj.gov and
DOJ Civil Rights at 1-888-TITLE-06 (1-888-848-5306)
Tara K. McGrath,
U.S. Attorney
"Our goal is to ensure that all our citizens share equally the right to clean air, clean water and a healthy environment. Please help us reach that goal by reporting any issues in your neighborhood."
Other contact entities:
California EPA,
Environmental Justice, Tribal Affairs and
Border Relations
916-883-0956
The U.S. Department of Justice enforces the Nation’s civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. We also protect natural resources and handle cases relating to tribal rights and resources.
Working with our U.S. Department of Justice partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office seeks to secure environmental justice for all communities, to ensure that everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to a healthy environment in which to live, learn, play and work.