How Oklahoma is Addressing Environmental Justice

Table of
Contents

How Does Oklahoma Define Environmental Justice and Environmental Justice Communities?

Environmental Justice Definitions

N/A

Environmental Justice Mapping Tools

N/A

How Does Oklahoma Consider Environmental Justice in its Substantive Actions?

Environmental Justice as a Policy of the Environmental Agency or Across All Agencies

N/A

Consideration of Environmental Justice in Permitting

N/A

Consideration of Environmental Justice in Enforcement

N/A

Consideration of Environmental Justice in Land Use

N/A

State Environmental Policy Act “Mini-NEPA”

N/A

Dedicated Funding to Environmental Justice Communities

N/A

Consideration of Cumulative Impacts

N/A

Prohibitions on Disparate Impact Discrimination

N/A

Established Environmental Rights

N/A

How Does Oklahoma Address Environmental Justice in its Procedures?

Environmental Justice as Part of Environmental Agency’s Mission

N/A

Environmental Justice as Part of Other Agency’s Mission

N/A

Processes and Procedures (including Title VI)

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) website includes a statement of nondiscrimination.

Grievance Procedures

The ODEQ website also includes a brief description of procedures for filing a discrimination complaint. It identifies the ODEQ Grievance Manager as:
Catherine Sharp, Director
Administrative Services Division
707 N. Robinson, P.O. Box 1677
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1677
(405) 702-0113

Enhanced Public Participation and Information Access

N/A

Language Access

The ODEQ website states “The DEQ will take reasonable steps to ensure that persons of limited-English proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access to and an equal opportunity to participate in the services and benefits provided by the DEQ. Translation services will be made available as needed.”

Consultation with Indigenous Communities and Tribal Nations

With the 2020 Supreme Court decision in McGirt, DEQ is continuously adapting and attempting to anticipate requirements for consultation and shared jurisdiction with Tribal Nations. Because Oklahoma is the only state affected by McGirt and because state and federal policies continue to evolve (and be litigated) DEQ works closely with Tribal Nations on any permitting decisions that affect our shared areas jurisdiction and responsibility. DEQ has a Tribal Coordinator/liaison for this purpose. DEQ’s relationship with Tribal Nations is strong and dates back to the inception of the agency.

Governmental Environmental Justice Structures, Positions, and Funding Streams

Environmental Justice Coordinating Agency

N/A

Environmental Justice Coordinator

he Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) has an Environmental Justice Coordinator, Jennifer Boyle, whose role is coordinating contact between DEQ subject matter experts and sharing environmental justice information from EPA.

Environmental Justice Advisory Board

N/A

Funding for Environmental Justice

N/A

Additional Oklahoma Environmental Justice Provisions

N/A

Oklahoma Environmental Justice Contacts

Catherine Sharp
ODEQ Grievance Manager
(405) 702-0113

Jennifer Boyle
EJ Coordinator, ODEQ

Where to Find Oklahoma Environmental Justice Laws, Policies, and Tools

Constitutional Provisions

N/A

Executive Orders

N/A

Legislation and Statutes

N/A

Regulations

N/A

Policies/Guidance

N/A

Mapping Tools

N/A

Other

N/A