[CPEO-BIF] In the wake of Katrina

[lsiegel@cpeo.org]

Judging from news reports, the redevelopment of the Gulf Coast,
particularly New Orleans, will be the largest redevelopment of a
contaminated site in U.S. history. By some measures, it may be the
largest redevelopment, period.

Smarting from criticism that the evacuation and rescue efforts were too
little, too late, the Bush Administration is rushing to spend the
billions of dollars of special appropriations. While aid for evacuees
and infrastructure restoration require prompt - emergency - action the
environmental response and neighborhood reconstruction - even the
decisions what to rebuilt, and where - should be done carefully, will
full participation of the affected public.

I am concerned, however, that reconstruction will follow the same model
that the administration and its favored contractors have used in Iraq,
relying upon large outside organizations. Already the Federal Emergency
Management Agency is awarding large contracts, and President Bush has
waived the prevailing wage rules required for federally funded construction.

All this is happening in an area recognized for many years as ground
zero for environmental injustice in the United States. Communities of
color - primarily African-American - have little political or economic
power, and they have been literally sandwiched among major sources of
industrial pollution.

The people who were left behind when Katrina hit should not be left
behind in the reconstruction. A small fraction of the federal funds
devoted to recovery should be made available to support community
participation in cleanup decisions and the design of the future
industrial landscape. Other money should be set aside to train displaced
residents to conduct restoration work safely.

The issues raised by post-Katrina recovery are the same as those we
normally face revitalizing Brownfields, but on a much grander scale.
Fortunately, many of the environmental justice advocates and activists
from the Gulf Coast are safe and functioning, though not in ideal
circumstances. EPA, NIEHS, HUD, and the other federal agencies that
normally engage in Brownfields projects should quickly connect with
those people and organizations to ensure the those left behind before,
during, and immediately after the hurricane have a chance to rebuild
their lives.

Lenny Siegel
-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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