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Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate

Detroit March for Justice 2015: a diverse crowd holding signs related to Environmental Justice
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate

The Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate was created by Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2019-06 to serve as an external and internal advocate and catalyst for ensuring Environmental Justice throughout the state. Led by the Environmental Justice Public Advocate, Regina Strong, the Office works collaboratively across state government to advance Environmental Justice and equity in Michigan, as well as addressing Environmental Justice concerns and complaints.

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental Justice is the equitable treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, ability, or income and is critical to the development and application of laws, regulations, and policies that affect the environment, as well as the places people live, work, play, worship, and learn.

Michigan Environmental Justice Conference, June 21 - 22, 2023

The 2023 Environmental Justice Conference in Detroit, MI will focus on the theme of Advancing Environmental Justice: Working Together Toward Progress.

Register Now!

The 2023 conference will build upon the successful 2021 Michigan Environmental Justice Conference: Rebuilding Trust, Reimagining Justice, and Removing Barriers.

Tree with Scales

Learn About Environmental Justice

People and the environment are inextricably linked, yet for some low-income people, Black people, indigenous people, or people of color that link can be fraught with challenges.

More about the movement

Tribal Relations

EGLE recognizes and supports the unique status of tribes in Michigan as sovereign governments with an inherent right to self-governance and self-determination and commits to meaningful communication and coordination on actions and decisions that affect their land, air, and water. 

Learn more about Tribal Relations at EGLE
Regina Strong speaking to audience at Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition meeting April 18 2019

Collaborative Engagement and Initiatives

The Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate works to address Environmental Justice concerns through engagement with the public and collaboration across State of Michigan departments, as well as initiatives and projects to advance Environmental Justice.

MI Advisory Council on Environmental Justice (MACEJ)

MI Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team

Environmental Justice Projects and Initiatives

Draft MiEJScreen Application

The Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate, in cooperation with the Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team Data and Research Workgroup, has developed MiEJScreen, an interactive mapping tool, in response to the dedicated advocacy of community members and the 2018 recommendations from the Michigan Environmental Justice Workgroup. Best practices of EJ screening tools around the nation were used to create this resource. 

If you have questions regarding the data or layers contact Katie Lambeth at 517-249-0906 or LambethK@Michigan.gov.

Open MiEJScreen More About MiEJScreen

Nondiscrimination in EGLE Programs (English, El español and العربية)

Everyone in Michigan deserves meaningful access and equitable opportunity to participate and provide input in EGLE’s programs, activities, and services.

Learn more about nondiscrimination in EGLE programs

Contact Us

You can contact the Office with a question or a concern. You can also join our email list to keep up with important actions. 

You can also reach the office directly by emailing Regina Strong at StrongR1@Michigan.gov or Katie Lambeth at LambethK@Michigan.gov.

Sign up for email updates Submit an EJ concern