DEP no longer considers most of Mahanoy Area, part of Shenandoah ‘environmental justice area’
A map of 2023 environmental justice areas highlighted in red.
SHENANDOAH – Revisions to the state’s criteria for what constitutes an “environmental justice area” have led to the removal of that status from most of the Mahanoy Area, Frackville borough, and part of Shenandoah.
The new Environmental Justice areas took effect Sept. 16, the state Department of Environmental Protection says.
DEP defines an Environmental Justice area as “a geographic area characterized by increased pollution burden, and sensitive or vulnerable populations based on demographic and environmental data.”
“Historically, minority and low-income Pennsylvanians have been forced to bear a disproportionate share of adverse environmental impacts,” DEP’s website says. “It is our duty to ensure that all Pennsylvanians, especially those that have typically been disenfranchised, are meaningfully involved in the decisions that affect their environment and that all communities are not unjustly and/or disproportionally burden with adverse environmental impacts.”
The goal of the environmental justice program is to ensure that DEP maintains a proactive approach to Environmental Justice issues within Pennsylvania; to eliminate any existing environmental disparities in minority and low-income communities; to engage, educate and empower minority and low-income communities to become active participants in the permit review process and compliance assistance program; and to Increase the level of environmental monitoring in minority and low-income communities, among others.
Under the 2015 definitions, all of Shenandoah borough, Mahanoy Township, Mahanoy City, Ryan Township, and Frackville borough were defined as environmental justice areas.
The 2023 revisions remove all of Mahanoy and Ryan Townships, a portion of Mahanoy City south of Market Street and west of 8th Street, with the exception of the former Mahanoy Area Middle School, Shenandoah’s northwest sector and a portion of the southside north of Cherry Street between Gilbert and Main Street.
Added are Gilberton Borough, Ashland Borough, New Castle Township, and Mount Carmel Township,
Spotlight PA reports that the policy “will help it prioritize resources and improve communication about permits and projects under the department’s purview.”
“The policy, which took effect earlier this fall but could be further tweaked before taking full effect, outlines considerations DEP should make when evaluating permit applications, administering grant money, and holding violators accountable,” Spotlight PA’s Marley Parish wrote.
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