March—April 2023 Newsletter
Pursuing Zero Waste in the Northern Mariana Islands
Island communities are often limited in options for how to manage solid waste, so EPA is encouraging residents of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to provide input on the pursuit of zero waste and solid waste management goals in the CNMI. During a recent trip to the farthest reaches of EPA’s Pacific Southwest region, including Hawai’i and Guam, EPA Regional Administrator Martha Guzman met with CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios and toured Saipan’s Marpi Landfill and Tinian’s solid waste facilities. The Regional Administrator also toured the Marpi Landfill on Saipan and Tinian solid waste facilities. "EPA is proud to partner with CNMI in its pursuit of Zero Waste. We support the CNMI planning team's community outreach efforts and are confident they will lead to more effective plans to reduce, reuse, recycle and compost, which will reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions," said Guzman.
- Saipan Tribune: Zero Waste Goal for Solid Waste Management
- Proclamation: CNMI Zero Waste Week
- News Release
- EPA’s Zero Waste Tool for Local Governments: Managing and Transforming Waste Streams: A Tool for Communities
Making Every Day Earth Day
Americans came together 53 years ago to celebrate the first Earth Day, uniting millions in demanding action on pollution and paving the way for a new era of environmental activism. It was a wake-up call to our government – showing that people all over the country care deeply about protecting the environment. Shortly thereafter, EPA was created and the nation has made substantial progress with cleaner air for our children to breathe, safer water flowing through our taps, stronger protections against dangerous chemicals, and more. This year in celebration of Earth Day and our environmental priorities, the President issued an Executive Order creating a White House office of Environmental Justice and our Pacific Southwest EPA office celebrated Earth Day with a Twitter discussion of environmental issues, successes and goals with our California state partners. EPA was also proud to honor students and educators from California for addressing environmental challenges in their communities.
- Earth Day Twitter Chat: California Earth Day Chat 2023
- The White House: Executive Order on Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All
- News Release: EPA Celebrates California Winners of Presidential Environmental Youth Awards
- EPA Administrator Regan on 5 Ways EPA is Protecting People and the Planet
- EPA’s Earth Day Resources
Environmental Justice, Thriving Communities
EPA has announced the selection of 17 new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers nationwide, including the University of Arizona and San Diego State University. "I've heard directly from communities most impacted by environmental and public health harms of the challenges they face accessing EPA and other federal resources to further their environmental justice goals. These centers will ensure all communities in our region, including rural communities and communities facing language and accessibility barriers, can benefit from the historic IRA funding,” said EPA Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.
- Associated Press: EPA awards $177 million to environmental justice groups
- EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers
Addressing Mining Contamination on Navajo Nation
EPA has proposed adding the Lukachukai Mountains Mining District on Navajo Nation to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL comprises sites where releases of contamination pose significant human health and environmental risks. The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District site is located entirely on the Navajo Nation and consists of over a hundred waste piles scattered throughout northeast Arizona. Contamination stems from prior uranium mining. This would be the first ever Navajo site to be placed on the Superfund List. “The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District is used for ceremonial and medicinal plant gathering, hunting, and livestock grazing, and provides important habitat for wildlife including the threatened Mexican spotted owl. Adding this site to the National Priorities List would provide federal resources that will greatly enhance cleanup efforts on the Navajo Nation,” said EPA Regional Administrator Martha Guzman.