COVER STORY
Introducing Lisa Flavia Garcia , USEPA Region 2 Administrator
By Diane C . Walsh Contributing Editor
Lisa Flavia Garcia ’ s passion for environmental justice was born in law school .
“ I fell in love with it ,” she said , recalling the international course she took while studying abroad in Spain . Her fascination grew during an internship in New York City . The experiences made her reflect on conditions she saw growing up in the Bronx .
Unfortunately , in her neighborhood 20 years ago , Garcia said , the Latino community was not engaged in the environmental movement . “ We need to equalize and bring about justice in the environmental space ,” she said .
Her academic and professional background , together with her life experiences , made her a strong advocate . As an environmental attorney , she has represented community organizations and has worked inside government to hasten change . “ Clean water , clean air , clean soil should be for everybody ,” she said .
Now as the new administrator for the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency ’ s Region 2 , Garcia can make a big impact . “ I ’ m happy to have an opportunity to serve and work to bring about more environmental benefits in New Jersey and the entire region .”
Along with the Garden State , her territory encompasses New York , Puerto Rico , the U . S . Virgin Islands and eight federally recognized Indian Nations . President Biden appointed Garcia to the job . She is proud to work in an administration that made equity and environmental justice a priority in the first executive orders issued when the new president took office .
“ Lisa ’ s leadership will be instrumental to USEPA ’ s work addressing the complicated intersection of environmental and economic challenges in Region 2 . She brings a wealth of experience in fighting for climate justice and equity that will be invaluable as we deliver on our mission ,” said USEPA Administrator Michael S . Regan when Garcia ’ s appointment was announced last November .
Garcia said the November 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will channel $ 1 billion into the cleanup of 49 contaminated sites across the country , including so-called “ orphan ” Superfund sites , where officials were unable to find financially viable responsible parties .
New Jersey has the unenviable distinction of having the most Superfund sites in the nation . Much of the contamination is traced to the state ’ s old industrial centers . Garcia said the infrastructure funds will address 11 sites in Region 2 and seven of them are in New Jersey .
Moreover , the Garden State is in line for upgrades to dilapidated water lines and wastewater treatment plant improvements , too . Some 300,000 lead service lines will be replaced , according to Garcia , who said $ 168 million is earmarked for New Jersey this year .
Garcia was in Newark with Vice President Kamala Harris and other dignitaries recently to mark the progress made by the replacement of 24,000 lead pipes in the city ’ s West Ward . The USEPA administrator was touched by the comments from a union worker who spoke with the help of translator . She said the union worker lived in the community and he was thankful that the health threat posed by lead pipes was eliminated for his family and his neighbors . He was also grateful for the economic opportunity the project generated through the many jobs it created .
“ New Jersey has the unenviable distinction of having the most Superfund sites in the nation . Much of the contamination is traced to the state ' s old industrial centers .”
“ These are the types of stories you want to hear ,” Garcia said .
Clean water projects have been at the forefront for the new administrator . In January , her office and the U . S . Department of Justice announced an agreement with the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority that will result in upgrades to the city ’ s antiquated municipal sewer and drinking water systems . The improvements will significantly reduce the amount of pollution being discharged into the Hackensack River , Hudson River and the Newark Bay .
“ As a result of this settlement , the sewer system renovations will reduce discharges from combined sewer overflows by 370 million gallons per year , preventing over one million pounds of pollutants from entering nearby waterways each year ,” Garcia said . “ Furthermore , it will accelerate the replacement of thousands of lead service lines , which means cleaner drinking water for vulnerable communities .
Lisa Flavia Garcia
“ EPA is renewing its commitment to safeguarding underserved and overburdened communities such as Jersey City . These and other environmental and health benefits are key to protecting public health ,” Garcia said .
Combined sewer systems , like the one in Jersey City , carry sewage , industrial wastewater and rainwater runoff through the same network of pipes and ultimately to the water treatment plants . But during heavy rains , the volume of wastewater traveling through the combined sewage system often exceeds its capacity , resulting in overflows . These overflows escape into the waterways , spewing out not only stormwater but pollutants , such as untreated human and industrial waste , toxic materials and debris . They pose risks to human health , threaten aquatic habitats and life , and impact the use and enjoyment of the nation ’ s waterways .
Jersey City estimates the work will take 10 years to complete and has a pricetag of approximately $ 1.09 billion . Many of the areas that these upgrades will benefit are communities of color that have faced environmental justice challenges for decades , according to the USEPA . The municipal sewerage authority will incorporate climate change adaptation and resiliency best practices and design measures into its sewer upgrades to ensure its sewer systems are better prepared to withstand severe storms and hurricanes .
As an environmental attorney , Garcia well understands the issues . During her career she has representing grassroots groups seeking reforms , as well has working inside government agencies implementing change . In the Obama
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