Several members of the Rosemere Neighborhood Association attended EJ-ACT!, Environmental Justice – Action, Communities, and Topics, on February 26, 2005. The RNA wishes to thank Ben Duncan and Mark Stephan of Washington State University, Vancouver, and the Center for Social and Environmental Justice for presenting this daylong event featuring speakers and discussion leaders from all across the Environmental Justice field.
The day began with Roy Wilson, Honorary Chief and Spiritual Leader of the Cowlitz Tribe welcoming us all to Cowlitz Country. Ramon Ramirez of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos, a longtime farmworkers’ advocate, gave the keynote address.
Panel sessions throughout the day, moderated by WSU faculty members, highlighted different aspects of environmental justice. The Tribal Communities session featured Roy Wilson, Cowlitz Tribe, Carol Craig, Yakama Nation, and Patti Howard, Columbia River Intertribal Fisheries Commission. Environmental Justice in Urban Areas was explored with Kevin O’Dell, PACE-EH, Jeri Sundvall, Environmental Justice Action Group, and Tyrus Smith, Evergreen State College. The Oregon Law Center, Keith Cunningham-Parmeter and Ilene O’Malley, discussed Farmworkers and Environmental Justice.
Afternoon sessions included Government Perspectives on Environmental Justice, with Professor Bob Collin, Willamette University Public Policy Research Center, John Ridgeway, Washington Department of Ecology, Monica Russell, Oregon DEQ, and Melanie Wood of the US EPA Region 10 office in Seattle. The Role of Educators was discussed with John Banks, UW, Linda George, Portland State, Debra Salazar, WWU, and Tyrus Smith, Evergreen, and Educate Ya! held a workshop on Organizing in Latino Communities.
Panelists agreed that Environmental Justice encompasses a broad range of issues, and should be a lifelong movement, building on respect for people and the environment. Suggestions were made for government agencies to devote an entire department to Environmental Justice, not just one person assigned to answer questions, and to promote an environmental consciousness to effectively bring about change.
The RNA was acknowledged and supported in several of the panel sessions as an active association in the field of Environmental Justice, our work cited as an example of positive change. Robin Collin, of Willamette University gave the closing keynote address, calling all event attendees to look toward the future of Environmental Justice, encouraging all to “be the change you want to see.”
The RNA also attended the Clean Water Act Symposium held in March, hosted by Clark County and The River Network. Citizens learned how to apply protections under the Clean Water Act and how to pursue their rights to protect and enjoy their natural water resources. The River Network is aware of the RNA storm water related action designed to help local water quality.
