Environmental Justice and Enforcement
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana vigorously enforces the nation’s environmental laws to address environmental, health, and climate impacts on individuals and communities within the district. Through its casework, the Office gives force and effect to national policy, embodied in Executive Order 14008, which recognizes that “we face a climate crisis that threatens our people and communities, public health and economy, and, starkly, our ability to live on planet Earth.” In accordance with this policy, the Office seeks to “hold polluters accountable for their actions,” and “combat the climate crisis with bold, progressive action that combines the full capacity of the Federal Government.”
Because environmental and health hazards often have a disproportionately high and adverse impact on disadvantaged communities, the Office has appointed an Environmental Justice Coordinator within the Civil Division to further the Department’s mission to ensure that residents have access to clean air, and to protect groundwater, surface waters, and wetlands across Louisiana.
How to Contact the Office Regarding an Environmental Justice or Enforcement Matter
The Office welcomes information from the public regarding possible environmental, health, and climate impacts on individuals and communities in the district. You may submit information or concerns regarding environmental justice by email, mail, or phone.
Email:
You can send your information or concerns by email to: Desiree.Williams@usdoj.gov
Mail:
You can send your information or concerns by mail to:
U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Louisiana
800 Lafayette Street, Suite 2200
Lafayette, Louisiana 70501
Attn: Environmental Justice Coordinator, Civil Division
Phone:
To submit a complaint by telephone, call 337-262-6618.
RECENT CASES
United States of America, et al v. Packaging Corporation of America
United States of America, et al v. Westlake Petrochemicals LLC, et al
United States of America, et al v. Firestone Polymers LLC
Statutes We Enforce:
The Office, in coordination with the Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and partner agencies, enforces multiple federal laws covering a variety of activities that affect our environment. These statutes include:
Other Resources
In addition to the U.S. Attorney’s Office environmental justice initiative, the following websites for related federal agencies provide other helpful online resources and information:
U.S. Department of Justice Environmental and Natural Resources Division
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Environmental Justice at EPA