Waterspirit In Rumson Urges Support Of Environmental Justice Campaign

RUMSON, NJ — The Waterspirit environmental advocacy group is reminding the public that hearings about proposed rules for New Jersey's Environmental Justice Law are being held by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

And if you can't get to a hearing, the organization, based in Rumson, is conducting a group comment-writing session on Aug. 25.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as “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,” according to the DEP.

Historically, New Jersey’s low-income communities and communities of color have been subject to a disproportionately high number of environmental and public health stressors, including pollution from numerous industrial, commercial and governmental facilities located in those communities. As a result, those communities suffer from increased adverse health effects including, asthma, cancer, elevated blood lead levels, cardiovascular disease and developmental disorders, the DEP says.

Proposed rules would address how environmental justice can be achieved.

There are three more opportunities to comment, Waterspirit said:

• In person: Wednesday, July 27, at 6 p.m. at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Campus Center Atrium, First Floor 150 Bleeker St., Newark, NJ 07102.
• Virtually: July 28, through a call-in link, with information about how to connect to the link here.
• Written comment: The written comment period closes Sept. 4. But see this link if you would like to RSVP to join Waterspirit for a group comment-writing session on Aug. 25.

The entire process benefits from the inclusion of more voices, the group said.

Waterspirit's advocacy community meeting will draft comments together to the DEP. Rachel Dawn Davis, Waterspirit's public policy and justice organizer, will give suggestions about what to include in your written comments so that you can submit them before the Sept. 4 deadline.

"Every comment counts," said Davis. And the news release from the group said that "together, we can put our love for Earth and for New Jersey's people into action."

The comments writing event will be Thursday, Aug. 25 from 11 a.m. to noon, 4 E. River Road, Rumson, 07760.

More information is available thought the NJ Environmental Justice Alliance, which can connect you to more resources.

Waterspirit is a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace and has offices in the First Presbyterian Church in Rumson.