Washington, D.C. – The following statement was issued by Bray Beltrán, Ocean Conservancy’s Director of Ocean Justice, in response to reintroduction of the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act by Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, and Rep. Barbara Lee today: 

“Ocean Conservancy is proud to support the Environmental Justice for All Act, a significant legislative effort to help address the far-reaching effects of decades of environmental neglect. Environmental injustice disproportionately impacts communities of color, Tribal and Indigenous communities and low-income communities. This piece of legislation is an important step in working toward ocean justice, which we define as the fair and equitable distribution of both the benefits of the ocean’s bounty and the burdens of its complex care.

“The EJ for All Act will help protect our coastal communities through the creation of crucial environmental justice safeguards and programs. The bill includes provisions that ensure equitable outdoor access, industry permitting accountability, and direct funding streams for communities to create thriving, climate resilient neighborhoods.

“True to the late Rep. McEachin’s vision of a bill by and for the people, the EJ for All Act incorporates over 350 public comments from community members and environmental justice leaders across the nation. Ocean Conservancy is committed to amplifying these diverse voices through support of this bill as we work toward a healthier ocean, protected by a more just world.”

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Bray Beltrán is available for interviews upon request. 

About Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create evidence-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.