PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 2, 2024) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region and U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) brought together key representatives from all levels of government to engage with Norfolk’s community and academic leaders during a roundtable discussion at Norfolk State University.
The roundtable included about 20 experts and focused on current environmental project plans and strategies to collaborate on addressing Norfolk’s most urgent environmental justice challenges.
“Today’s efforts highlight the value in collectively working together to address environmental justice,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Region’s Environmental Justice, Community Health, and Environmental Review Division (EJCHERD) director Leslie Gillespie-Marthaler. “At EPA, we understand that we’re all in this together and must ensure all voices are heard for fair and equitable solutions. Today’s roundtable created the dialogue for lasting change shaped by the needs and visions of those who live here.”
According to the EPA’s EJScreen, portions of Norfolk are some of the most vulnerable communities across the Mid-Atlantic Region. Some prominent environmental stressors are air quality, flooding, and the heat island effect.
The EPA team facilitated the discussion to provide the community leaders an opportunity to share how these stressors affect residents and to better understand how government partners, like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Norfolk or the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, are developing solutions.
“Norfolk is on the frontline of rising sea levels, and this week has highlighted the growing risk of severe weather events,” said U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03). “With these concerns in mind, the City of Norfolk is implementing innovative approaches to address coastal flooding, such as the proposed flood wall in Downtown Norfolk. We must support the City’s plans to protect its citizens by continuing our partnership to build this critical infrastructure.”
Some of the topics discussed included:
Earlier in the day, EPA and Scott also toured Norfolk’s Lambert’s Point and Saint Paul’s Area to meet residents and experience the challenges affecting their quality of life.
“This roundtable is a reflection of part of Norfolk State University’s mission, which is to educate and to be a voice for those who often don’t have one,” said Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Norfolk State University’s Endowed Professor of Virginia Black History and Culture. “With all these different stakeholders, it’s an opportunity for us to help ensure that we move forward collectively as a society and begin to redress some of the past wrongs, especially the environmental harm that was done during the time when segregation and racism was part of our national policy. What better place to have this conversation but right here at Norfolk State.”
These efforts are a testament to EPA’s commitment to transparency and creating meaningful engagements for communities to have resources for a more resilient future. These events are part of a broader effort to address environmental justice across the Mid-Atlantic Region and strengthen partnerships in protecting human health and the environment.
Learn more about the EPA’s efforts to address environmental justice.
Learn more about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District.
Learn more about the City of Norfolk’s Office of Resilience plans.