Number: 1990-24
WHEREAS, a study conducted by the U.S. General Accounting Office entitled “Siting of Hazardous Waste Landfills and Their Correlation With Racial and Economic Status of Surrounding Communities” has concluded that in the eight southeastern states studied, “Blacks make up the majority of the population in three of the four communities where [commercial hazardous waste] landfills are located. At least 26 percent of the population in all four communities have income below the poverty level and most of this population is Black”; and
WHEREAS, a detailed nationwide study completed by the Commission on Racial Justice of the United Church of Christ similarly concluded that “It is significant that race was consistently a more prominent factor in the location of commercial hazardous waste facilities than any other factor examined. This clearly was the case with respect to socio-economic status”; and
WHEREAS, the findings of that Commission’s study also “suggest an inordinate concentration of uncontrolled toxic waste sites in Black and Hispanic communities, particularly in urban areas”; and
WHEREAS, the Committee on Government Operations of the U.S. House of Representatives has concluded that “Environmental problems have disproportionately affected low-income and minority communities across the country as a result of exposure to environmental contaminants in food, drinking water, indoor and ambient air, and occupational and housing settings”; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation recognizes the need to reach out to leaders of economically disadvantaged and/or minority people to seek out their views, build trust and coalitions, and work together on issues of mutual concern;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation IN annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1990, in Denver, Colorado, declares its opposition to siting dangerous or polluting facilities in minority communities or in economically disadvantaged communities merely because these areas may be viewed as sites of least political resistance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that to redress the discriminatory impact of past waste disposal practices, the Federation recommends that the cleanup of uncontrolled toxic waste sites in minority communities and IN economically disadvantaged communities be given high priority; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that government programs should offer special assistance to these communities to evaluate and resolve environmental problems, such as assistance to small drinking water systems, and technical assistance for studying pollution problems and solutions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Federation urges the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Academy of Sciences and other agencies and academic institutions to undertake full-scale health studies to evaluate the potential and actual impacts on health and the environment by toxic substance exposure in polluted economically disadvantaged and/or minority communities.