Request for Information Regarding Department of Homeland Security Activities and Advancing Environmental Justice, 87445-87448 [2023-27628]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 241 / Monday, December 18, 2023 / Notices
confidential trade secrets or commercial
property such as patentable material,
and personal information concerning
individuals associated with the grant
applications, the disclosure of which
would constitute a clearly unwarranted
invasion of personal privacy.
Name of Committee: National Institute of
Dental and Craniofacial Research Special
Emphasis Panel; New Investigator R03 and
DSR Member-Conflict Applications.
Date: February 27, 2024.
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
applications.
Place: National Institute of Dental and
Craniofacial Research, 6701 Democracy
Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817 (Virtual
Meeting).
Contact Person: Jingshan Chen, Ph.D.,
Scientific Review Officer, Scientific Review
Branch, Division of Extramural Activities,
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial
Research, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda,
MD 20892, (301) 451–2405, jingshan.chen@
nih.gov.
Name of Committee: National Institute of
Dental and Craniofacial Research Special
Emphasis Panel; Developing Salivary
Components as Therapeutics for Oral Health.
Date: March 7, 2024.
Time: 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant
applications.
Place: National Institute of Dental and
Craniofacial Research, 6701 Democracy
Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20817 (Virtual Meeting).
Contact Person: Aiwu Cheng, Ph.D., MD,
Scientific Review Officer, Scientific Review
Branch, Division of Extramural Activities,
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial
Research, 6701 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda,
MD 20892, 301–594–4859, Aiwu.cheng@
nih.gov.
(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance
Program No. 93.121, Oral Diseases and
Disorders Research, National Institutes of
Health, HHS)
Dated: December 13, 2023.
Melanie J. Pantoja,
Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory
Committee Policy.
[FR Doc. 2023–27744 Filed 12–15–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration
Meeting of the Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services
Administration’s Tribal Technical
Advisory Committee (TTAC)
Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Services Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
Dated: December 11, 2023.
Carlos Castillo,
Committee Management Officer.
Pursuant to Presidential
Executive Order No. 13175, November
SUMMARY:
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6, 2000, and the Presidential
Memorandum of September 23, 2004,
notice is hereby given for the meeting
on February 27, 2024, of the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration’s Tribal Technical
Advisory Committee (TTAC). The
meeting is open to the public and will
be held in person. Agenda with call-in
information will be posted on the
SAMHSA website prior to the meeting
at: https://www.samhsa.gov/about-us/
advisory-councils/meetings. The
meeting will include, but not be limited
to, remarks from the Assistant Secretary
for Mental Health and Substance Use;
updates on SAMHSA priorities; follow
up on topics related to the previous
TTAC meetings; and council
discussions.
DATES: February 27, 2024, 8 a.m. to
approximately 5 p.m. (ET).
ADDRESSES: 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, MD 20857, 5th Floor 5W07.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Karen Hearod, CAPT USPHS, Director,
Office of Tribal Affairs Policy, 5600
Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland
20857 (mail); telephone: (202) 868–
9931; email: karen.hearod@
samhsa.hhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SAMHSA
TTAC provides a venue wherein Tribal
leadership and SAMHSA staff can
exchange information about public
health issues, identify urgent mental
health and substance use needs, and
discuss collaborative approaches to
addressing these behavioral health
issues and needs.
TTAC meetings are exclusively
between Federal officials and elected
officials of Tribal governments (or their
designated employees) to exchange
views, information, or advice related to
the management or implementation of
SAMHSA programs.
The public may attend but are not
allowed to participate in the meeting.
To obtain the call-in number, access
code, and/or web access link; or request
special accommodations for persons
with disabilities, please register on-line
at: https://snacregister.samhsa.gov or
communicate with Karen Hearod.
Meeting information and a roster of
TTAC members may be obtained either
by accessing the SAMHSA Council’s
website at: https://www.samhsa.gov/
about-us/advisory-councils/, or by
contacting Karen Hearod.
Authority:
[FR Doc. 2023–27471 Filed 12–15–23; 8:45 am]
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87445
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
[Docket ID: DHS–2023–0048]
Request for Information Regarding
Department of Homeland Security
Activities and Advancing
Environmental Justice
Department of Homeland
Security (DHS).
ACTION: Request for information
regarding Department of Homeland
Security Activities and Advancing
Environmental Justice.
AGENCY:
The Department of Homeland
Security (DHS or Department) is
comprised of 15 Operational and
Support Components with far-reaching
programs and activities. With this
Request for information (RFI), DHS is
seeking public comment and feedback
on how environmental justice is
considered Department-wide, how it
can provide opportunities for
meaningful engagement in decisionmaking, and what to include in the next
DHS Environmental Justice Strategy.
The public is encouraged to provide
input in response to the questions in
this RFI and to share barriers and
challenges, successes, suggestions, and
ideas. DHS will use this information to
help improve and advance the
Department’s environmental justice
program, conduct meaningful
engagement, and address environmental
justice challenges that communities are
facing.
DATES: Comments are requested on or
before 60 days after publication of this
RFI and must be received no later than
11:59 p.m. eastern time (ET) on
February 16, 2024. DHS will not reply
individually to responders but will
consider all comments submitted by the
deadline. DHS will consider comments
received after this date for future
advisory communications and outreach
efforts to the extent possible.
ADDRESSES: Any information obtained
from this RFI is intended for
Government planning and strategy
development. Response to this RFI is
voluntary. Respondents may answer as
many or as few questions as they wish.
Comments of five pages or fewer are
requested. Comments must be identified
with the Agency’s name and Docket
Number DHS–2023–0048 and may be
sent to DHS via the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
All public comments received are
subject to the Freedom of Information
Act and will be posted in their entirety
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 241 / Monday, December 18, 2023 / Notices
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at https://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal and/or business
confidential information provided. Do
not include any information you would
not like to be made publicly available.
Email: DHSEnvironmentalJustice@
hq.dhs.gov include Environmental
Justice RFI in the message’s subject line.
Email submissions should be machinereadable (i.e., in PDF or Microsoft Word
format) and not copyright-protected.
Mail or Hand Delivery: Please note
that DHS will not accept any comments
that are hand-delivered, mailed, or
couriered. In addition, DHS cannot
accept comments contained on any form
of digital media storage devices, such as
CDs/DVDs and USB drives. If you
cannot submit your comment using
https://www.regulations.gov, please
email DHSEnvironmentalJustice@
hq.dhs.gov for alternate instructions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sarah Koeppel, Senior Environmental
Protection Specialist, by phone at 202–
868–2759, or by email at
DHSEnvironmentalJustice@hq.dhs.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Executive Order (E.O.)
14096,1 Revitalizing Our Nation’s
Commitment to Environmental Justice
for All, signed April 21, 2023, defines
‘‘environmental justice’’ as the just
treatment and meaningful involvement
of all people, regardless of income, race,
color, national origin, Tribal affiliation,
or disability, in agency decision-making
and other Federal activities that affect
human health and the environment so
that people:
(1) are fully protected from
disproportionate and adverse human
health and environmental effects
(including risks) and hazards, including
those related to climate change, the
cumulative impacts of environmental
and other burdens, and the legacy of
racism or other structural or systemic
barriers; and
(2) have equitable access to a healthy,
sustainable, and resilient environment
in which to live, play, work, learn,
grow, worship, and engage in cultural
and subsistence practices.
E.O. 12898,2 Federal Actions to
Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income
Populations, was issued in 1994 and
was the first executive order to
recognize environmental justice
concerns. This E.O. required Federal
agencies to consider environmental
justice impacts in their planning and
decision-making processes, and set the
1 88
2 59
FR 25251, April 26, 2023.
FR 7629, February 16, 1994.
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stage for future guidance, policies, and
E.O.s focused on identifying
disproportionately high and adverse
impacts. With the issuance of E.O.
14096, the White House called on the
Federal Government to bring clean
energy and healthy environments to all
and to recognize, undo, and mitigate
harm to those who have
disproportionately suffered from toxic
pollution and other environmental
burdens like climate change. To better
focus Federal agency resources and
attention on the needs and priorities of
marginalized and overburdened
communities, the White House also
launched the White House Campaign for
Environmental Justice.
DHS and Environmental Justice
DHS Components include: U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP),
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure
Security Agency (CISA), Federal
Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), Federal Law Enforcement
Training Center (FLETC), U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement
(ICE), U.S. Secret Service (USSS),
Transportation Security Administration
(TSA), Management Directorate, Science
and Technology Directorate (S&T),
Countering Weapons of Mass
Destruction Office (CWMD), Office of
Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), Office
of Homeland Security Situational
Awareness (OSA), Office of Health
Security (OHS), Office of the
Citizenship and Immigration Services
Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman), and
Office of the Immigration Detention
Ombudsman (OIDO).
As a reflection of the many and varied
DHS Components, DHS programs and
activities are far-reaching and include:
(1) maritime safety, security, and
stewardship;
(2) the administration of federally
assisted programs;
(3) emergency management programs;
(4) border security;
(5) transportation security;
(6) immigration services;
(7) law enforcement training;
(8) science and technology research;
(9) cyber security and infrastructure
security; and
(10) mission support and asset
management.
The Department’s ability to identify
and advance environmental justice
arises principally through
environmental review during
compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C.
4321–4347); compliance and
enforcement related to title VI of the
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Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.
2000d et seq.); section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.
794 et seq.), as amended and other
applicable Federal civil rights
authorities in connection with programs
and activities funded by DHS financial
assistance to State, Tribal, Territorial,
local governments, and other recipients;
environmental compliance and
remediation activities; and regulatory
permitting. Examples of DHS programs,
policies, and activities in which
environmental justice consideration
may arise include concerns about air
and/or water quality related to DHS
buildings or operations; DHS’s storage,
replacement, removal, and
transportation of hazardous materials;
disruption to communities due to DHS
goods movement; restoration and
remediation of impacts from ongoing
DHS activities and legacy
contamination; equitable resilience and
recovery programs and activities carried
out by DHS and/or recipients of DHS
financial assistance following a flood or
other disaster or emergency, for
example, new construction, demolition
of property, or relocation of
communities; or strengthening
resilience to climate change and other
natural and human-made disruptive
events.
The DHS Environmental Justice
Program is co-led by the Office of the
Chief Readiness Support Officer
(OCRSO) and the Office for Civil Rights
and Civil Liberties (CRCL). Recognizing
that the incorporation of environmental
justice policies may differ across the
Department depending on a
Component’s mission, the DHS
Environmental Justice Program
promotes a comprehensive, consistent,
and adaptive strategy among DHS
Components through training, ongoing
policy development to incorporate
environmental justice considerations,
and strong partnerships with various
stakeholders.
II. Purpose of RFI
DHS is interested in receiving input
from the public on any perceived
environmental impacts that the public
believes result from DHS mission
programs and activities and/or those
programs and activities funded by DHS.
DHS is issuing this RFI to receive input
from the public, specifically on any
interests, concerns, and perspectives
about:
(1) how DHS addresses environmental
justice Department-wide,
(2) how it can provide opportunities
for meaningful engagement in decisionmaking processes that may affect human
health or the environment, and
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 241 / Monday, December 18, 2023 / Notices
(3) what should be included in the
next DHS Environmental Justice
Strategy.
DHS seeks engagement and
collaboration with communities with
environmental justice concerns who are
potentially affected by DHS mission
programs and activities and/or those
programs and activities funded by DHS.
DHS may use the information to
evaluate, implement, modify, expand,
and/or streamline its policies, practices,
and processes to promote meaningful
involvement, establish new and
strengthen community partnerships,
and inform its update to the DHS
Environmental Justice Strategy and
other policymaking.
This effort will enable DHS to further
implement E.O. 12898; E.O.
13985,3 Advancing Racial Equity and
Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government; E.O.
13990,4 Protecting Public Health and the
Environment and Restoring Science to
Tackle the Climate Crisis; E.O.
14008,5 Tackling the Climate Crisis at
Home and Abroad; E.O.
14052,6 Implementation of the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act;
E.O. 14057,7 Catalyzing Clean Energy
Industries and Jobs Through Federal
Sustainability; E.O.
14082,8 Implementation of the Energy
and Infrastructure Provisions of the
Inflation Reduction Act of 2022; E.O.
14091,9 Further Advancing Racial Equity
and Support for Underserved
Communities Through the Federal
Government; and E.O. 14096,
Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment
to Environmental Justice For All.
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III. Key Questions for Input
DHS seeks to establish new goals and
objectives to support resilient
communities and provide meaningful
participation for all persons in DHS
decision-making processes that may
affect human health or the environment.
A central goal of DHS’s existing
Environmental Justice Strategy is to
build resilience and promote adaptation
in low-income and minority
communities. The Department’s
environmental justice program must
evolve as the environmental justice
landscape evolves due to climate
change, new scientific developments,
and an increased policy focus on
environmental justice and equity
3 86
FR 7009, January 25, 2021.
FR 7037, January 25, 2021.
5 86 FR 7619, February 1, 2021.
6 86 FR 64335, November 18, 2021.
7 86 FR 70935, December 13, 2021.
8 87 FR 56861, September 16, 2022.
9 88 FR 10825, February 22, 2023.
4 86
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throughout the Federal Government. In
brief, new and more ambitious
approaches are essential, with concrete,
meaningful steps needed to advance
environmental justice.
The five identified environmental
justice strategy goals listed in the FY
2021–2025 DHS Environmental Justice
Strategy 10 include objectives and
outcomes that will help the Department
advance equity and environmental
justice:
(1) Expand Department-wide
awareness of environmental justice
considerations that might result from its
programs, policies, and activities.
(2) Further the integration of
environmental justice principles into
DHS lines of business, prominently
including mitigation, adaptation, and
resilience.
(3) Strengthen outreach to
communities, organizations, and
interest groups through public
engagement.
(4) Expand collaboration and
knowledge-sharing with interagency
partners to efficiently focus Department
resources and technical assistance.
(5) Integrate environmental justice
principles into Departmental climate
change initiatives.
Engagement/Collaboration
(1) What are examples of successful
collaborations between Federal agencies
and Tribal, Territorial, local, and State
governments or communities with
environmental justice concerns?
(2) How can DHS enhance public
participation in decision-making that
impacts human health and the
environment?
(3) What resources and technical
assistance are needed regarding
Departmental activities that may impact
environmental justice communities to
plan meaningful engagement with
community organizations and interest
groups?
(4) How can DHS more effectively
engage and collaborate with
underserved communities with
environmental justice concerns,
including communities with members
of various races, religions, gender
identities, and national origins?
(5) How can DHS better engage and
collaborate effectively with Tribes, both
federally and non-federally recognized,
Native Hawaiian organizations, and
Indigenous Peoples, including
Indigenous migrant communities?
(6) How can DHS better engage with
individuals with disabilities and
10 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhsenvironmental-justice-strategy-fiscal-years-20212025.
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87447
integrate disability considerations into
its decision-making?
Assessing Existing DHS Programs
(1) How can DHS better understand
and integrate environmental justice
concerns and evaluate the potential for
disproportionate effects on communities
with these concerns when preparing
documentation in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969?
(2) How can DHS increase recipient,
e.g., grantee of DHS funding, awareness
of environmental justice considerations
and responsibilities with respect to
disabilities, such as under section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 11 in
federally assisted programs?
(3) How can DHS increase recipient,
e.g., grantee of DHS funding, awareness
of environmental justice considerations,
and responsibilities with respect to race,
color, and national origin, such as under
title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 12
in federally assisted programs and
activities, including obligations to
people who are limited English
proficient?
(4) How can DHS assist communities
with environmental justice concerns to
receive Justice40 13 benefits?
(5) How should DHS consider
environmental justice during building,
facility, and land management and
operations and maintenance activities?
(6) Do you have suggestions for
changes to DHS’s current programs,
regulations, or policies that would
combat climate change, bolster
underserved communities’ resilience to
climate change, or help communities
adapt to its impacts?
DHS Environmental Justice Strategy
(1) Please provide additional feedback
on the vision, framework, and outcomes
of the DHS Environmental Justice
11 The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits
discrimination based on disability in federally
assisted and conducted programs.
12 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended, prohibits discrimination based on race,
color, or national origin in programs and activities
received Federal financial assistance.
13 The Justice 40 Initiative, established under E.O.
14008, commits the Federal Government to
directing 40% of the benefits from certain Federal
investments, such as clean energy and energy
efficiency; clean transit; affordable and sustainable
housing; training and workforce development;
remediation and reduction of legacy pollution; and
development of critical clean water and wastewater
infrastructure, to communities with environmental
justice concerns. There are four covered programs
within DHS/FEMA, including the Building
Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Flood
Mitigation Assistance, FEMA Risk Mapping,
Assessment and Planning, and the Regional
Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program.
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Strategy for Fiscal Years 2021–2025 14
and the DHS Environmental Justice
Annual Implementation Report for
Fiscal Year 2022.15
(2) What other strategic goals should
DHS include in the next Environmental
Justice Strategy to advance
environmental justice?
(3) How can DHS better address
environmental justice concerns through
its environmental review of the impact
of operations, financial assistance to
State, local, and Tribal governments,
and regulatory permitting activities?
(4) In addition to the nine program
areas identified in DHS Directive 023–
04, Environmental Justice, are there
other DHS programs where DHS could
incorporate environmental justice
policies and considerations?
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IV. Written Comments
You may respond to some or all
questions listed in this RFI. Please
ensure your response is clear and
indicate which question you are
responding to. You may also include
links to online materials and should
ensure all links are publicly available.
Each response should include:
(1) the name of the individual(s) and/
or organization(s) responding;
(2) policy suggestions that your
submission and materials support; and
(3) a contact for questions or other
follow-up on your response.
Please note that this RFI is only a
planning document and should not be
construed as policy, a solicitation for
proposals, or an obligation by DHS or
the Federal Government.
V. Review of Public Feedback
DHS encourages all potentially
interested parties—individuals,
associations, State, local, Tribal, and
Territorial governmental organizations,
non-governmental organizations,
academic institutions, and private sector
entities—to respond. DHS may use the
feedback received to help further
environmental justice initiatives,
consider reforms, and update the
Department’s Environmental Justice
Strategy in accordance with recent
Executive Orders on environmental
justice and equity. This RFI is used
solely for information-gathering
purposes, and DHS is not initiating a
rulemaking at this time. Public input in
response to this RFI does not bind DHS
to take any further actions, including
publishing a formal response or
14 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhsenvironmental-justice-strategy-fiscal-years-20212025.
15 https://www.dhs.gov/publication/
environmental-justice-annual-implementationreport-fiscal-year-2022.
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initiating a recommended change. DHS
will consider the feedback received and
may make changes or process
improvements at its sole discretion.
SW, Room 8210, Washington, DC
20410–5000 or email at
PaperworkReductionActOffice@
hud.gov.
Thomas D. Chaleki,
Chief Readiness Support Officer, Department
of Homeland Security.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
[FR Doc. 2023–27628 Filed 12–15–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9112–FF–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR–7075–N–16]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Data Collection for the HUD
Secretary’s Awards Including The
Secretary’s Award for PublicPhilanthropic Partnerships, The
Secretary’s Awards for Healthy Homes,
The Secretary’s Award for Excellence
in Historic Preservation, The
Secretary’s Award for Planning, The
Secretary’s Housing Design Awards,
The Secretary’s Award for Tribal
Housing Impact, and The HUD
Innovation in Affordable Housing
Student Design and Planning
Competition; OMB Control No.: 2528–
0324
Office of Policy Development
and Research, HUD.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
HUD is seeking approval from
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for the information collection
described below. In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD is
requesting comment from all interested
parties on the proposed collection of
information. The purpose of this notice
is to allow for 60 days of public
comment.
SUMMARY:
DATES:
Comments Due Date: January 17,
2024.
Interested persons are
invited to submit comments regarding
this proposal.
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection can be submitted
within 60 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain. Find this particular
information collection by selecting,
‘‘Currently under 60-day Review—Open
for Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function. Interested persons are
also invited to submit comments
regarding this proposal by name and/or
OMB Control Number and can be sent
to: Anna Guido, Reports Management
Officer, REE, Department of Housing
and Urban Development, 451 7th Street
ADDRESSES:
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Anna Guido, Reports Management
Officer, Department of Housing and
Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW,
Washington, DC 20410; email;
Anna.P.Guido@hud.gov; telephone (202)
402–5535 (this is not a toll-free
number). HUD welcomes and is
prepared to receive calls from
individuals who are deaf or hard of
hearing, as well as individuals with
speech or communication disabilities.
To learn more about how to make an
accessible telephone call, please visit
https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/
telecommunications-relay-service-trs.
Copies of available documents
submitted to OMB may be obtained
from Ms. Guido.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
notice informs the public that HUD is
seeking approval from OMB for the
information collection described in
Section A.
A. Overview of Information Collection
Title of Information Collection: Data
Collection for the HUD Secretary’s
Awards including The Secretary’s
Award for Public-Philanthropic
Partnerships, The Secretary’s Awards
for Healthy Homes, The Secretary’s
Award for Excellence in Historic
Preservation, The Secretary’s Award for
Planning, The Secretary’s Housing
Design Awards, The Secretary’s Award
for Tribal Housing Impact, and The
HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing
Student Design and Planning
Competition.
OMB Approval Number: 2528–0324.
Type of Request: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Form Number: N/A.
Description of the need for the
information and proposed use: HUD
seeks to collect information that will be
used to implement the following HUD
Secretary’s Awards: (1) the Secretary’s
Award for Public-Philanthropic
Partnerships, (2) the Secretary’s Awards
for Healthy Homes, (3) the Secretary’s
Award for Excellence in Historic
Preservation, (4) the Secretary’s
Planning Award, (5) the Secretary’s
Housing Design Awards, (6) The
Secretary’s Award for Tribal Housing
Impact, and (7) the HUD Innovation in
Affordable Housing Student Design and
Planning Competition.
On an annual basis, HUD accepts
nominations for the above listed awards.
A template application form for
nominations streamlines information
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 241 (Monday, December 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87445-87448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27628]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
[Docket ID: DHS-2023-0048]
Request for Information Regarding Department of Homeland Security
Activities and Advancing Environmental Justice
AGENCY: Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: Request for information regarding Department of Homeland
Security Activities and Advancing Environmental Justice.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) is
comprised of 15 Operational and Support Components with far-reaching
programs and activities. With this Request for information (RFI), DHS
is seeking public comment and feedback on how environmental justice is
considered Department-wide, how it can provide opportunities for
meaningful engagement in decision-making, and what to include in the
next DHS Environmental Justice Strategy. The public is encouraged to
provide input in response to the questions in this RFI and to share
barriers and challenges, successes, suggestions, and ideas. DHS will
use this information to help improve and advance the Department's
environmental justice program, conduct meaningful engagement, and
address environmental justice challenges that communities are facing.
DATES: Comments are requested on or before 60 days after publication of
this RFI and must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. eastern time
(ET) on February 16, 2024. DHS will not reply individually to
responders but will consider all comments submitted by the deadline.
DHS will consider comments received after this date for future advisory
communications and outreach efforts to the extent possible.
ADDRESSES: Any information obtained from this RFI is intended for
Government planning and strategy development. Response to this RFI is
voluntary. Respondents may answer as many or as few questions as they
wish. Comments of five pages or fewer are requested. Comments must be
identified with the Agency's name and Docket Number DHS-2023-0048 and
may be sent to DHS via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments. All public comments received are subject to the Freedom of
Information Act and will be posted in their entirety
[[Page 87446]]
at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal and/or business
confidential information provided. Do not include any information you
would not like to be made publicly available.
Email: [email protected] include Environmental
Justice RFI in the message's subject line. Email submissions should be
machine-readable (i.e., in PDF or Microsoft Word format) and not
copyright-protected.
Mail or Hand Delivery: Please note that DHS will not accept any
comments that are hand-delivered, mailed, or couriered. In addition,
DHS cannot accept comments contained on any form of digital media
storage devices, such as CDs/DVDs and USB drives. If you cannot submit
your comment using https://www.regulations.gov, please email
[email protected] for alternate instructions.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Koeppel, Senior Environmental
Protection Specialist, by phone at 202-868-2759, or by email at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
Executive Order (E.O.) 14096,\1\ Revitalizing Our Nation's
Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, signed April 21, 2023,
defines ``environmental justice'' as the just treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people, regardless of income, race, color, national
origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in agency decision-making
and other Federal activities that affect human health and the
environment so that people:
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\1\ 88 FR 25251, April 26, 2023.
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(1) are fully protected from disproportionate and adverse human
health and environmental effects (including risks) and hazards,
including those related to climate change, the cumulative impacts of
environmental and other burdens, and the legacy of racism or other
structural or systemic barriers; and
(2) have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient
environment in which to live, play, work, learn, grow, worship, and
engage in cultural and subsistence practices.
E.O. 12898,\2\ Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in
Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, was issued in 1994 and
was the first executive order to recognize environmental justice
concerns. This E.O. required Federal agencies to consider environmental
justice impacts in their planning and decision-making processes, and
set the stage for future guidance, policies, and E.O.s focused on
identifying disproportionately high and adverse impacts. With the
issuance of E.O. 14096, the White House called on the Federal
Government to bring clean energy and healthy environments to all and to
recognize, undo, and mitigate harm to those who have disproportionately
suffered from toxic pollution and other environmental burdens like
climate change. To better focus Federal agency resources and attention
on the needs and priorities of marginalized and overburdened
communities, the White House also launched the White House Campaign for
Environmental Justice.
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\2\ 59 FR 7629, February 16, 1994.
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DHS and Environmental Justice
DHS Components include: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Federal Law Enforcement Training
Center (FLETC), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S.
Secret Service (USSS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA),
Management Directorate, Science and Technology Directorate (S&T),
Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMD), Office of
Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), Office of Homeland Security
Situational Awareness (OSA), Office of Health Security (OHS), Office of
the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman), and
Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO).
As a reflection of the many and varied DHS Components, DHS programs
and activities are far-reaching and include:
(1) maritime safety, security, and stewardship;
(2) the administration of federally assisted programs;
(3) emergency management programs;
(4) border security;
(5) transportation security;
(6) immigration services;
(7) law enforcement training;
(8) science and technology research;
(9) cyber security and infrastructure security; and
(10) mission support and asset management.
The Department's ability to identify and advance environmental
justice arises principally through environmental review during
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4347); compliance and enforcement related to title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.); section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794 et seq.), as amended and
other applicable Federal civil rights authorities in connection with
programs and activities funded by DHS financial assistance to State,
Tribal, Territorial, local governments, and other recipients;
environmental compliance and remediation activities; and regulatory
permitting. Examples of DHS programs, policies, and activities in which
environmental justice consideration may arise include concerns about
air and/or water quality related to DHS buildings or operations; DHS's
storage, replacement, removal, and transportation of hazardous
materials; disruption to communities due to DHS goods movement;
restoration and remediation of impacts from ongoing DHS activities and
legacy contamination; equitable resilience and recovery programs and
activities carried out by DHS and/or recipients of DHS financial
assistance following a flood or other disaster or emergency, for
example, new construction, demolition of property, or relocation of
communities; or strengthening resilience to climate change and other
natural and human-made disruptive events.
The DHS Environmental Justice Program is co-led by the Office of
the Chief Readiness Support Officer (OCRSO) and the Office for Civil
Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). Recognizing that the incorporation
of environmental justice policies may differ across the Department
depending on a Component's mission, the DHS Environmental Justice
Program promotes a comprehensive, consistent, and adaptive strategy
among DHS Components through training, ongoing policy development to
incorporate environmental justice considerations, and strong
partnerships with various stakeholders.
II. Purpose of RFI
DHS is interested in receiving input from the public on any
perceived environmental impacts that the public believes result from
DHS mission programs and activities and/or those programs and
activities funded by DHS. DHS is issuing this RFI to receive input from
the public, specifically on any interests, concerns, and perspectives
about:
(1) how DHS addresses environmental justice Department-wide,
(2) how it can provide opportunities for meaningful engagement in
decision-making processes that may affect human health or the
environment, and
[[Page 87447]]
(3) what should be included in the next DHS Environmental Justice
Strategy.
DHS seeks engagement and collaboration with communities with
environmental justice concerns who are potentially affected by DHS
mission programs and activities and/or those programs and activities
funded by DHS. DHS may use the information to evaluate, implement,
modify, expand, and/or streamline its policies, practices, and
processes to promote meaningful involvement, establish new and
strengthen community partnerships, and inform its update to the DHS
Environmental Justice Strategy and other policymaking.
This effort will enable DHS to further implement E.O. 12898; E.O.
13985,\3\ Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities Through the Federal Government; E.O. 13990,\4\ Protecting
Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the
Climate Crisis; E.O. 14008,\5\ Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and
Abroad; E.O. 14052,\6\ Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act; E.O. 14057,\7\ Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and
Jobs Through Federal Sustainability; E.O. 14082,\8\ Implementation of
the Energy and Infrastructure Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act
of 2022; E.O. 14091,\9\ Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for
Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government; and E.O. 14096,
Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice For All.
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\3\ 86 FR 7009, January 25, 2021.
\4\ 86 FR 7037, January 25, 2021.
\5\ 86 FR 7619, February 1, 2021.
\6\ 86 FR 64335, November 18, 2021.
\7\ 86 FR 70935, December 13, 2021.
\8\ 87 FR 56861, September 16, 2022.
\9\ 88 FR 10825, February 22, 2023.
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III. Key Questions for Input
DHS seeks to establish new goals and objectives to support
resilient communities and provide meaningful participation for all
persons in DHS decision-making processes that may affect human health
or the environment. A central goal of DHS's existing Environmental
Justice Strategy is to build resilience and promote adaptation in low-
income and minority communities. The Department's environmental justice
program must evolve as the environmental justice landscape evolves due
to climate change, new scientific developments, and an increased policy
focus on environmental justice and equity throughout the Federal
Government. In brief, new and more ambitious approaches are essential,
with concrete, meaningful steps needed to advance environmental
justice.
The five identified environmental justice strategy goals listed in
the FY 2021-2025 DHS Environmental Justice Strategy \10\ include
objectives and outcomes that will help the Department advance equity
and environmental justice:
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\10\ https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-environmental-justice-strategy-fiscal-years-2021-2025.
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(1) Expand Department-wide awareness of environmental justice
considerations that might result from its programs, policies, and
activities.
(2) Further the integration of environmental justice principles
into DHS lines of business, prominently including mitigation,
adaptation, and resilience.
(3) Strengthen outreach to communities, organizations, and interest
groups through public engagement.
(4) Expand collaboration and knowledge-sharing with interagency
partners to efficiently focus Department resources and technical
assistance.
(5) Integrate environmental justice principles into Departmental
climate change initiatives.
Engagement/Collaboration
(1) What are examples of successful collaborations between Federal
agencies and Tribal, Territorial, local, and State governments or
communities with environmental justice concerns?
(2) How can DHS enhance public participation in decision-making
that impacts human health and the environment?
(3) What resources and technical assistance are needed regarding
Departmental activities that may impact environmental justice
communities to plan meaningful engagement with community organizations
and interest groups?
(4) How can DHS more effectively engage and collaborate with
underserved communities with environmental justice concerns, including
communities with members of various races, religions, gender
identities, and national origins?
(5) How can DHS better engage and collaborate effectively with
Tribes, both federally and non-federally recognized, Native Hawaiian
organizations, and Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous migrant
communities?
(6) How can DHS better engage with individuals with disabilities
and integrate disability considerations into its decision-making?
Assessing Existing DHS Programs
(1) How can DHS better understand and integrate environmental
justice concerns and evaluate the potential for disproportionate
effects on communities with these concerns when preparing documentation
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969?
(2) How can DHS increase recipient, e.g., grantee of DHS funding,
awareness of environmental justice considerations and responsibilities
with respect to disabilities, such as under section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 \11\ in federally assisted programs?
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\11\ The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination
based on disability in federally assisted and conducted programs.
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(3) How can DHS increase recipient, e.g., grantee of DHS funding,
awareness of environmental justice considerations, and responsibilities
with respect to race, color, and national origin, such as under title
VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 \12\ in federally assisted programs
and activities, including obligations to people who are limited English
proficient?
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\12\ Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended,
prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in
programs and activities received Federal financial assistance.
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(4) How can DHS assist communities with environmental justice
concerns to receive Justice40 \13\ benefits?
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\13\ The Justice 40 Initiative, established under E.O. 14008,
commits the Federal Government to directing 40% of the benefits from
certain Federal investments, such as clean energy and energy
efficiency; clean transit; affordable and sustainable housing;
training and workforce development; remediation and reduction of
legacy pollution; and development of critical clean water and
wastewater infrastructure, to communities with environmental justice
concerns. There are four covered programs within DHS/FEMA, including
the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Flood
Mitigation Assistance, FEMA Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning,
and the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program.
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(5) How should DHS consider environmental justice during building,
facility, and land management and operations and maintenance
activities?
(6) Do you have suggestions for changes to DHS's current programs,
regulations, or policies that would combat climate change, bolster
underserved communities' resilience to climate change, or help
communities adapt to its impacts?
DHS Environmental Justice Strategy
(1) Please provide additional feedback on the vision, framework,
and outcomes of the DHS Environmental Justice
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Strategy for Fiscal Years 2021-2025 \14\ and the DHS Environmental
Justice Annual Implementation Report for Fiscal Year 2022.\15\
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\14\ https://www.dhs.gov/publication/dhs-environmental-justice-strategy-fiscal-years-2021-2025.
\15\ https://www.dhs.gov/publication/environmental-justice-annual-implementation-report-fiscal-year-2022.
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(2) What other strategic goals should DHS include in the next
Environmental Justice Strategy to advance environmental justice?
(3) How can DHS better address environmental justice concerns
through its environmental review of the impact of operations, financial
assistance to State, local, and Tribal governments, and regulatory
permitting activities?
(4) In addition to the nine program areas identified in DHS
Directive 023-04, Environmental Justice, are there other DHS programs
where DHS could incorporate environmental justice policies and
considerations?
IV. Written Comments
You may respond to some or all questions listed in this RFI. Please
ensure your response is clear and indicate which question you are
responding to. You may also include links to online materials and
should ensure all links are publicly available. Each response should
include:
(1) the name of the individual(s) and/or organization(s)
responding;
(2) policy suggestions that your submission and materials support;
and
(3) a contact for questions or other follow-up on your response.
Please note that this RFI is only a planning document and should
not be construed as policy, a solicitation for proposals, or an
obligation by DHS or the Federal Government.
V. Review of Public Feedback
DHS encourages all potentially interested parties--individuals,
associations, State, local, Tribal, and Territorial governmental
organizations, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions,
and private sector entities--to respond. DHS may use the feedback
received to help further environmental justice initiatives, consider
reforms, and update the Department's Environmental Justice Strategy in
accordance with recent Executive Orders on environmental justice and
equity. This RFI is used solely for information-gathering purposes, and
DHS is not initiating a rulemaking at this time. Public input in
response to this RFI does not bind DHS to take any further actions,
including publishing a formal response or initiating a recommended
change. DHS will consider the feedback received and may make changes or
process improvements at its sole discretion.
Thomas D. Chaleki,
Chief Readiness Support Officer, Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2023-27628 Filed 12-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9112-FF-P
