NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service today announced that comments are being sought by Friday, Aug. 19 on a draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy. In conjunction with the comment period, NMFS will hold webinars on Tuesday, May 24, Tuesday, June 21, Thursday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 19.
The draft Strategy includes goals for prioritizing the identification, equitable treatment, and meaningful involvement of underserved communities, providing equitable delivery of services, and prioritizing equity and environmental justice in NMFS’ mandated and mission work, as well as 6 associated short-term objectives that include the incorporation of equity and environmental justice in agency policies and plans, equitable distribution of benefits, and inclusive governance.
NMFS specifically seeks feedback on the identification of underserved communities and how NMFS can reduce barriers to them, how NMFS can better incorporate equity and environmental justice into its daily activities, how NMFS can improve equity in its programs and policies now and in the future, and whether the draft recommendations are on target.
Under the initiative, each national program office and geographic region will incorporate equity and environmental justice into an implementation plan, with equity and environmental justice included as a priority area or milestone in annual strategic plans beginning next year.
NMFS Asst. Administrator Janet Coit said her agency “is focused on serving all communities more equitably and effectively,” and “committed to advancing equity and environmental justice, including equal treatment, opportunities, and environmental benefits for all people and communities, while building on continuing efforts and partnerships with underserved and underrepresented communities.”
