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Environment

Last Updated: May 10, 2022 | Publication

Environmental Justice Annual Implementation Report for Fiscal Year 2021

Executive Order (EO) 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, requires federal agencies to identify and address, as appropriate, “disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations and low-income populations.” The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently defines environmental justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. These goals will be achieved when everyone enjoys the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-making process in order to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.”

Last Updated: April 22, 2022 | Blog

S&T Lab Celebrates a Healthy, Thriving Ecosystem in NYC’s Backyard

The Plum Island Animal Disease Center recently received word that studies of the nearshore waters and seafloor surrounding the lab have found a thriving ecosystem and pristine waters.

Last Updated: April 14, 2022 | Site Page

Notice of Intent to Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Assessment of the Nationwide Operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

The Department of Homeland Security’s proposes to conduct current and future small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS; i.e., drone) activities nationwide in order to meet DHS mission requirements (Proposed Action). DHS is preparing a Programmatic Environmental Assessment to evaluate the potential impacts associated with the Proposed Action pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 United States Code §§ 4321 et seq.); the White House Council on Environmental Quality Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 1500-1508); and DHS Management Directive 023-01, rev. 01 Implementation of the NEPA.

Last Updated: March 17, 2022 | Press Releases

Feature Article: Tracing the Path of Pathogens after Rain

DHS S&T and EPA joined forces for a Stormwater Tracer Study to help the Coast Guard locate pathogenic spores after rains and decontaminate the sites.

Last Updated: November 4, 2021 | Press Releases

News Release: DHS Selects Northeastern As COE for Engineering Secure Environments

Northeastern University will lead a consortium of U.S. academic institutions and other partners for a new Center of Excellence for Engineering Secure Environments from Targeted Attacks. 

Last Updated: October 7, 2021 | Publication

DHS Climate Action Plan to Address the Impacts of Climate Change and Ensure the Department’s Climate Resilience

The DHS Climate Action Plan outlines the steps the Department is taking to tackle the climate crisis, including bolstering the Department’s ability to adapt to climate change, building national resilience, undertaking mitigation measures, and addressing key vulnerabilities. This plan is part of President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to confronting the climate crisis.

Last Updated: October 7, 2021 | Press Releases

DHS Releases New Climate Action Plan to Address the Impacts of Climate Change and Ensure the Department’s Climate Resilience

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a new Climate Action Plan outlining the steps the Department is taking to tackle the climate crisis, including bolstering the Department’s ability to adapt to climate change, building national resilience, undertaking mitigation measures, and addressing key vulnerabilities.  This plan is part of President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to confronting the climate crisis. 

Last Updated: August 16, 2021 | Publication

Final Environmental Assessment of Proposed Tracer Particle and Gas Releases and Finding of No Significant Impact

The United States (U.S.) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), in partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and other stakeholders in New York City (NYC), is proposing to conduct testing events to improve resiliency of urban areas and transportation systems against chemical or biological terrorist attacks (Proposed Action).

Last Updated: August 3, 2021 | Publication

Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for El Paso Service Processing Center

ICE has prepared this Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.) and other relevant federal and state laws and regulations, as well as DHS Directive 023-01, Revision 01 and DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Revison 01, Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act. This Draft EA discloses the environmental impacts that would result from the Proposed Action and alternatives.

Last Updated: June 17, 2021 | Press Releases

Feature Article: Securing Transportation of Ammonia

S&T is studying how anhydrous ammonia behaves during a potential leak or spill, whether accidental or intentional, in order to inform planning efforts in communities across the nation.