EDWA Environmental Justice

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN EASTERN WASHINGTON

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington enforces federal laws that protect human health and the environment. Eastern Washington is home to beautiful mountains, trees, lakes, rivers, and vast swaths of prairie that not only support human health and the economy but are important to the many plants and animals native to the area. Indigenous people first lived on these lands, cultivating, and protecting resources for future generations. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington makes it a priority to continue to protect our resources for fishing, hunting, agriculture, and a healthy, high quality of life which makes our region safer, stronger, and more enjoyable for everyone.

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

Contacting the U.S. Attorney's Office to Report Concerns

Through casework, the United States Attorney’s Office enforces federal environmental laws that are designed to protect human health and the environment. The office seeks to hold polluters accountable for their actions and combat the climate crises through cases that make our communities safer and stronger. Many of these cases originate from public reporting and information.

The office welcomes public reporting regarding possible environmental, health, and climate impacts on individuals and communities within our district. You can submit information or concerns regarding the environment by email, mail, or phone.

E-mail:

You can send your information or concerns by email to: USAWAE.Environment@usdoj.gov

Phone:

To submit a complaint or concern by telephone, please call: (509) 835-6306

Mail:

You can send your information or concerns by mail to:

U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Washington

P.O. Box 1494

Spokane, WA 99210-1494

Attn: Environmental Justice Coordinator

Other Resources for Reporting Potential Violations

The United States Attorney’s Office works closely with our federal agencies partners to investigate and enforce violations of environmental laws. Here is how to report the violations:

If the violation concerns air quality, climate change, health, water, chemicals and toxins (including lead paint), or land, waste, and cleanup, contact the Environmental Protection Agency at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations.

If the violation concerns an oil or chemical spill, contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-88022.

If the violation concerns a marine environment, contact the Coast Guard at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=878.

If the violation concerns pesticides harming wildlife, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (734) 995-0387, www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips, or 1-800-344-9453.

If the violation concerns the destruction of wetlands, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Office wetlands hotline at 1-800-832-7828.

If the violation concerns workplace conditions, such as chemicals or noxious fumes contact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 1-800-321-6742.

If the violation concerns housing conditions, contact the Department of Housing & Urban Development – Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) at 1-800-347-3735.

If the violation concerns transportation of hazardous materials or a pipeline, contact the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) at 1-800-424-9071 or hotline@oig.dot.gov.

If the violation concerns medications, cosmetics, biological products, and other products for human consumption, contact the FDA at 1-888-463-6332.

If the violation concerns discriminatory environmental and health impacts caused by recipients of federal funds, contact our office at USAMIE.EJ@usdoj.gov or 313-226-9634, or DOJ Civil Rights at 1-888-TITLE-06 (1-888-848-5306).

If the violation involves public corruption, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation at https://tips.fbi.gov/.

Environmental News

Florida Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Violate the Clean Air Act

October 24,2024

EPA, Department of Justice sue Lower Yakima Valley dairies for manure practices endangering neighboring well-users

July 2, 2024

Department of Justice and EPA File Complaint Against Lower Yakima Valley Dairies for Failing to Control Nitrate Contamination in Drinking Water

June 26, 2024

Two Men Indicted for Scheme to Tamper with Pollution Control Systems in Violation of the Clean Air Act

May 16, 2024

United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref Hosts Federal and Tribal Regional Summit Focused on Tribal Treaty Rights, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights

July 28, 2023