The guiding principle of environmental justice is that all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income are entitled to equal protection from environmental risks. Across the United States, a variety of socioeconomic metrics are used to identify communities with environmental justice needs, but all of these communities have one thing in common: populations that suffer a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, and commercial operations or policies. In this webcast, Stacey Eriksen with EPA Region 8 and Andy Kricun with the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority discussed how the implementation of green infrastructure practices can bring environmental, economic, and social benefits to the communities that need them the most. Regional and local initiatives highlighted the ways in which green infrastructure can manage stormwater pollution,  equalize access to environmental protection, and create a healthier environment in which to live and work.

Details

May 15, 2019
1:00 - 2:30 pm EST

Speakers

Andy Kricun is the Executive Director and Chief Engineer of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, operators of an 80 million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility located in Camden, NJ.  Andy has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University and over 30 years of experience in wastewater and biosolids management. He serves on the board of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and is the chair of its Utility of the Future and its Community Service committees. And he also serves on the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council and chairs its water equity taskforce.

Stacey Eriksen has been an employee of the Environmental Protection Agency for over 26 years and currently works on sustainable development, green infrastructure, urban waters, and brownfields.  She has previously worked in a number of programs at EPA including, Enforcement, Community-Based Environmental Protection, Superfund, Hazardous Waste, and as a water quality technical advisor to the International Red River Board. Stacey is a Colorado native with a BS in Chemical Engineering from Colorado State University and a MS in Ecological Engineering from Colorado School of Mines.