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Environmental Justice Projects, Initiatives, and Past Actions

A woman gesturing to her left in a field with a crowd standing and listening
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Environmental Justice Projects, Initiatives, and Past Actions

MiEJScreen

The Office, in conjunction with the Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team, is developing an interactive mapping tool that identifies Michigan communities that may be disproportionately impacted by environmental hazards. The map will allow users to explore the environmental, health, and socioeconomic conditions within a specific community, region, or across the entire state.

Learn more about MiEJScreen
A man standing on the shore of a wetland with a canoe full of wild rice seeds

MI Wild Rice Initiative

The Office coordinates the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative (MWRI). The initiative stems from a collective understanding among State and Tribal governments that the protection and restoration of wild rice in Michigan should be elevated in importance. It brings together specialist and managers from all 12 federally-recognized tribes, multiple state departments and federal agencies, and others to share information, coordinate approaches, and elevate awareness about wild rice conservation and restoration.

Salina Intermediate and Elementary Schools in Dearborn, MI

Air Quality in EJ Community Schools

The Office is collaborating to launch an EJ Community Schools Air Quality program to assess HVAC systems in a select number of schools in EJ communities. The fully funded assessments are designed to determine needs in public school building to protect students from air borne contaminants.

An aerial view of the 48217 zip code in Detroit, Michigan

Community Resiliency Planning Pilot

The Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate, along with community partners, is initiating a pilot project in 48217/Southwest Detroit to build an EJ Community Resiliency plan development process. Funded through a grant from the EPA, the project is a two-year planning process designed to provide guidelines for addressing issues that impact communities to provide a blueprint for resiliency.

A small white metal canister (a PurpleAir Monitor) nailed to a wall.

Mobile Air Project

The Office, in conjunction with EGLE's Air Quality Division, has launched a mobile air monitoring project utilizing a fleet of Purple Air monitors to address short term and immediate air quality concerns. The monitors can assess small particulate matter (PM 2.5) in the air.

Attendees at the Tribal Summit in Michigan's Upper Peninsula standing on fallen leaves during fall

Roundtable

The Office hosts an annual roundtable with Tribal Leaders and EGLE's Director to discuss environmental priorities, challenges, and issues. The initial meeting was held in the fall of 2019. The 2021 roundtable was held on November 9th.

Past Actions

These are some noteworthy past actions by the Office.