The Environmental Justice Office works to ensure that all DNREC decisions are executed to promote the meaningful involvement and fair treatment of all people — regardless of race, color, national origin or income — in the implementation of DNREC’s mission. DNREC strives to provide equitable access to green spaces, public recreation opportunities, and information and data on potential exposure to environmental hazards.

Prioritizing Environmental Justice 

DNREC is committed to the principles of environmental justice and to ensuring that the agency’s actions – including permitting, cleanup, policy and planning, outreach and education, community investments, and compliance and enforcement – address the interests of Delawareans, particularly minority, low-income and other traditionally underrepresented communities, as much as our regulatory authority allows. 

DNREC established the Environmental Justice Office in 2023 to guide the agency’s work and embed environmental equity throughout the agency.  

Contact Information

Roles of the Environmental Justice Office

The Environmental Justice Office:

Develops policies and practices to connect environmental justice to other regulatory requirements, such as compliance with federal laws under Title VI of the of the Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, to ensure equitable access for all people to government services and decision-making. 

Provides training, resources, and guidance for DNREC staff to raise awareness about environmental justice and develop the capacity to facilitate meaningful participation. 

Incorporates environmental justice considerations into decision-making and planning documents used by agency staff for project and program development. 

Collaborates with technical staff to provide publicly available geospatial information and to make information more accessible.   

Identifies and removes barriers to ensure the public’s feedback and concerns are considered in agency decisions. The EJO also encourages industries and facilities seeking permits to engage in an open, authentic dialogue with surrounding communities.  

Manages the Community Assets Campaign to crowdsource information and build a database of trusted voices, identify a bulletin board network and confirm limited English neighborhood data. 

Administers the Community Environmental Project Fund program for community groups and nonprofits looking to clean up pollution, enhance the environment or take on a recreational project.  

Related Topics:  community, contacts, environmental justice, equal access