United States Attorney Announces Initiative for Addressing Environmental Justice and Public Health Concerns

OKLAHOMA CITY – United States Attorney Robert J. Troester announces an initiative to address environmental justice and public health concerns in the Western District of Oklahoma.  An Environmental Justice Coordinator has been designated to coordinate the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts in this important area.  Members of the public may visit the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok for information regarding where to report environmental violations or public health issues; and how to report such concerns to the Environmental Justice Coordinator.  

"Protecting our community requires that we safeguard our environment and public health through the vigorous enforcement of federal laws," said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.  "We encourage citizens to report concerns that create a danger to themselves and fellow Oklahomans.  My office will work closely with regulatory authorities and investigative agencies who specialize in environmental and public health enforcement to take appropriate action where necessary."

The Office’s reporting procedures are part of the Department of Justice’s Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy, which seeks to advance environmental justice through timely and effective remedies for environmental violations and injuries to natural resources in "underserved communities that have been historically marginalized and overburdened, including low-income communities, communities of color, and Tribal and Indigenous communities."  The Department of Justice enforces the Nation’s civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. The Department also protects natural resources and handles cases relating to tribal rights and resources.  Working with its 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 to protect equal access to a healthy environment in which to live, learn, play, and work.

If you have information or concerns regarding the potential violation of any federal environmental law and its impact upon people, communities, or natural resources within our district, please share them with the office by email or mail.

The Office’s reporting procedures are in addition to other methods of reporting environmental concerns to the federal government, such as the online portal maintained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency:

https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations.  Additional points of contact for federal agencies may be found on the Office’s website.