Environmental Justice and Enforcement
Environmental Justice and Enforcement
The U.S. Department of Justice enforces the Nation’s criminal and civil environmental laws to protect people, natural resources, and wildlife. The Department also handles cases relating to tribal rights and resources. Working with our law enforcement and agency partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office seeks to secure environmental justice for all communities in the Western District of Texas. Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental law, regulations, and policies.
Federal Environmental Laws We Enforce Include:
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the Department of Justice Environmental and Natural Resources Division and partner agencies, enforces multiple federal civil and criminal laws that impact our environment. These laws include the following statutes:
How to Report a Potential Violation of a Federal Environmental Law:
Immediate Threat to Human Health or Environment
If you see an environmental event that may lead to an immediate threat to human health or the environment, call 911, then report it to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
Discharge into the Environment
To report an oil, chemical, radiological, biological or etiological discharge into the environment, anywhere in the United States and its territories, contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. The National Response Center also takes maritime reports of suspicious activity and security breaches within the waters of the United States and its territories.
Potential Violation of a Federal Environmental Law
If you have information about or concerns regarding a potential civil or criminal violation of a federal environmental law, you can report it. Depending on the specific type of violation, different federal agencies will be responsible for addressing the concern. Below is list of relevant agencies and how to contact them:
If the violation concerns air quality, climate change, health, water, chemicals and toxins (including lead paint), or land, waste, and cleanup, contact the Environmental Protection Agency at https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations. This webpage includes a complaint form.
If the violation concerns a marine environment, contact the Coast Guard at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=878.
If the violation concerns pesticides harming wildlife, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (734) 995-0387, www.fws.gov/wildlife-crime-tips, or 1-800-344-9453.
If the violation concerns the destruction of wetlands, contact your local district branch of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Office at 1-800-832-7828.
If the violation concerns workplace conditions, such as chemicals or noxious fumes contact, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at 1-800-321-6742.
If the violation concerns housing conditions, contact the Department of Housing & Urban Development – Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) at 1-800-347-3735.
If the violation concerns transportation of hazardous materials or a pipeline, contact the Department of Transportation – Office of Inspector General (DOT-OIG) at 1-800-424-9071 or email@example.com.
If the violation concerns medications, cosmetics, biological products, and other products for human consumption, contact the FDA at 1-888-463-6332.
If the violation concerns discriminatory environmental and health impacts caused by recipients of federal funds, contact our office or DOJ Civil Rights at 1-888-TITLE-06 (1-888-848-5306).
When contacting an agency to report a potential violation of a federal environmental law in the Western District of Texas, please also contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office as set forth below:
How to Contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas About a Environmental Concern in our District:
The U.S. Attorney’s Office welcomes information from the public about possible environmental concerns in our district. Please contact us as set forth below:
BY POSTAL MAIL:
U.S. Attorney's Office
601 NW Loop 410, Suite 600
San Antonio, Texas 78216
Western District of Texas Main Phone San Antonio: (210) 384-7100
BY EMAIL: USATXW.Envirojustice@usdoj.gov