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Environmental Justice & Public Health

Environmental Justice is a guiding principle that all people—regardless of race, color, national origin, disability, or income—should receive fair treatment and be ensured meaningful involvement in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

The U.S. Department of Justice enforces the nation’s civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and hazardous-waste laws. We also protect natural resources, and handle cases involving tribal rights and resources. Ensuring safe living and working conditions is a priority of the Department and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Working with our law enforcement and agency partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office seeks to secure environmental justice for all communities in the Eastern District of Louisiana so that everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and has equal access to a healthy environment in which to thrive.

A number of federal agencies work to ensure safe living and working conditions for Louisiana residents. You can report specific environmental, health, and safety violations to the agencies identified below. If you have concerns or questions about topics that are not addressed here, please contact our Environmental Justice Coordinator by emailing USALAE.Environment@usdoj.gov  for additional resources. Notifying our office about your environmental-justice concerns helps us to protect the community from harmful violations of federal law.

 

Who to Contact:

  • If you become aware of an event that may be an immediate and serious threat to human health or the environment, such as an oil or chemical spill:

Contact the Natural Resource Center’s 24-hour hotline at 1-800-424-8802.

 

  • If the violation involves air quality, water quality, improper handling or exposure to chemicals and toxins (including lead paint), pollution, or illegal dumping:

Contact the Environmental Protection Agency at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations or 1-800-887-6063.

 

  • If the violation concerns transportation of hazardous materials or a pipeline:

Contact the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Inspector General by emailing hotline@oig.dot.gov or by calling 1-800-424-9071.

 

  • If the violation involves a marine environment:

Contact the U.S. Coast Guard at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=878.

 

  • If the violation involves destruction of wetlands:

Contact the New Orleans District office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Enforcement/.

 

  • If the violation involves potential harm to wildlife:

Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at https://www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips,1-985-882-3756, or 1-800-397-8477.

 

  • If the violation involves unsafe workplace conditions:

Contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration at https://www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint, 1-225-298-5458, or 1-800-321-6742.

 

  • If the violation concerns medications, cosmetics, biological products, and other products for human consumption:

Contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at 1-888-463-6332.

 

  • If the violation involves public corruption:

Contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://tips.fbi.gov/.

 

  • If you believe that you have been discriminated against when seeking housing, including seeking a mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities:

Contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/online-complaint, 1-817-978-5900, or 1-800-669-9777; or call the DOJ Civil Rights Division at 1-888-848-5306.

 

  • If you have concerns about discriminatory environmental and health impacts caused by recipients of federal funds or federal projects:

Contact our office by emailing USALAE.Environment@usdoj.gov or call the DOJ Civil Rights Division at 1-888-848-5306.

Updated October 21, 2022