Public Information and Community Outreach

National Environmental Policy Commission

Products: Report to the Congressional Black Caucus

Introduction
On August 7, 2000 an orientation meeting for the National Environmental Policy Commission was held in Washington, DC. The Commission is an outgrowth of recommendations from a Congressional Black Caucus Environmental Justice Braintrust under the leadership of Congressman James E. Clyburn, D-SC.

The goal of the Commission is to identify environmental issues and to articulate a range of policy alternatives for consideration by policy makers. In meeting this goal, the Commission will deliberate and report on appropriate roles for human health, environmental protection, environmental justice and economic development considerations in a comprehensive environmental policy.

The Commission is composed of representatives (see list) from business and industry, health organizations, academia, environmental justice communities, and tribal, state and local governments. To accomplish this mission, the Commission is conducting a series of Listening Sessions.

Listening Session
The first Listening Session was held at Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, on August 29, 2000; the second Session was held at Rutgers-Newark, Newark, NJ, on December 15,2000; and the third and fourth sessions were held at Golden Gate University, San Francisco, CA, on March 23, 2001 and Oakland, CA, on March 24, 2001. A fifth session has been scheduled and will be held at University of Illinois at Chicago on April 27, 2001. Those wishing to address the Commission Panel will have the opportunity to submit a prepared written statement that includes issue identification and recommendations for improvement to the Commission record. Participants will have four minutes to present a summary of their statements and are encouraged to offer public policy recommendations.

The Medical University of South Carolina's Environmental Biosciences Program and The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) are coordinating Commission activities.

Please contact Latecia Abraham, MHA at 843-792-5530 or abrahaml@musc.edu for more information.