USDA seeks comments on Environmental Justice Strategic Plan

The public is invited to comment on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Environmental Justice Strategic Plan, which is designed to increase outreach and participation by underserved communities in the next four years.

The draft of the plan also outlines how each USDA agency plans to accomplish this goal.

"This revised environmental justice strategy builds on the existing USDA plan by addressing resilience in the context of climate change, improving access to USDA financial and technical assistance programs through the StrikeForce Initiative for Rural Growth and Opportunity, and other outreach to underserved communities," USDA Deputy Undersecretary Arthur Blazer said. "We encourage feedback on this USDA Environmental Justice Strategy and look forward to hearing from the people impacted by our policy decisions."

The USDA periodically updates its priorities to ensure they are working in the most efficient manner to lessen the burdens of the people they serve in underprivileged areas. Currently it is trying to increase capacity building, public participation, and opportunities for minority, low-income, American Indian and Alaska Native Communities, and Tribal governments.

The draft can be found on the USDA.gov website and the comment period is open until Feb. 14.