The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) takes seriously its responsibilities under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 — a landmark law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin — and other federal legislation that ensures equality and fairness in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance.

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What is Title VI?

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d) provides that “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

The 1987 Civil Rights Restoration Act (Pub.L. 100-259) expanded the definition of “programs and activities” to include all programs and activities of federal aid recipients, sub-recipients and contractors, whether such programs and activities are federally assisted or not.  

As a recipient of federal funding, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is required to comply with the rules, laws, and regulations of Title VI.

In addition, Title VI applies to recipients of federal financial assistance that passes through DNREC in the form of grants, contracts, or subcontracts, as well as federal financial assistance that passes through another State agency to DNREC. 

DNREC Title VI Policy

It is the policy of DNREC that: No person shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other related nondiscrimination laws and requirements. 

Title VI requires that DNREC take specific actions to ensure compliance with federal law that includes ensuring that all contractors, sub-contractors, and sub-recipients awarded DNREC funded contracts and grants adhere to Title VI and any related laws, regulations, and rules.

Title VI also requires DNREC to provide free language assistance to limited English proficient (LEP) persons. 

Filing a Title VI Complaint

Anyone who believes that an entity that receives financial assistance from EPA has discriminated against someone on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, disability or age; or has engaged in intimidation or retaliation prohibited by EPA’s nondiscrimination regulation, may file a complaint. The person or organization filing the complaint need not be a victim of the alleged discrimination but may complain on behalf of another person or group.

What Information Must a Complaint Include? 

The complaint must be in writing, clearly identify who the sender is, include his or her signature, and must provide EPA with the sender’s contact information. We also suggest including a phone number and/or an email address for contact. 

The complaint should identify the entity which allegedly committed the discrimination. Please note that EPA can only investigate complaints filed against an entity which receives financial assistance from EPA. 

The complaint must allege discrimination prohibited by one of the laws EPA enforces. Describe with as much detail as possible why you feel the entity discriminated against you or others on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited-English proficiency); sex; disability; or age; or has engaged in intimidation or retaliation prohibited by EPA’s nondiscrimination regulation. 

The complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the date of the last act of alleged discrimination. EPA may consider extending the 180-day time-frame for filing, for good cause shown, under certain circumstances. 

Where do I send my complaint? 

Mail Complaint Information To: 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of External Civil Rights
Mail code 2310A
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20460
Email: Title_VI_Complaints@epa.gov
Fax: (202) 564-3316 

Related Topics:  civil rights, environmental justice, equal rights, federal, title vi