Page 10 - SRNS_Today_July_2021

10 | SRNS TODAY | JULY 2021

In for a TREAT upcoming school year,” said Rice. “This is a great opportunity for

teachers to learn about all the different missions that make up SRS and
Workshop helps area teachers how we work to meet the needs of the communities near the Site.”
Additional speakers included:
understand environmental justice • Amy Boyette, Director, DOE-Savannah River (DOE-SR) Office of
External Affairs (OEA), “SRS Overview”
S ince 1995, local educators have attended the Teaching • Mindy Mets, Director Regional Workforce Programs, SRS
Radiation, Energy and Technology (TREAT) Workshop. During
Community Reuse Organization, “Overview of Nuclear Technology
the annual DOE-sponsored workshop, SRNS presented multiple
topics about SRS and environmental justice. Regionally and Globally”
Environmental justice strives to inform U.S. citizens, regarding the • Kyle Bryant, Physical Scientist Response Support Corps
fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless Coordinator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 4,
of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the “Emergency Preparedness for EJ Communities”
development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental • Rev. Brendolyn Jenkins Boseman, Executive Director, The Imani
laws, regulations, and policies. Group, Inc., “Environmental Justice 101 –- Community Perspective”
Fair treatment means that no population bears a disproportionate Workshop coordinator and SRS Environmental Justice Program
share of negative environmental consequences resulting from Manager, De’Lisa Carrico, DOE-SR OEA, noted the high value placed
industrial, municipal, and commercial operations or from the on this type of communication with teachers throughout the region.
execution of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
“For several years now, we’ve added a second workshop for faith-
Meaningful involvement requires effective access to decision makers based and community leaders,” said Carrico. “The participants,
for all, and the ability in all communities to make informed decisions primarily low income residents, particularly minorities, have been
and take positive actions to produce environmental justice for highly engaged in productive discussion and have also expressed
themselves. their appreciation for this special opportunity. To best reach
Melinda Downing, Environmental Justice Program Manager, DOE this audience, we usually meet in churches offering fellowship
Headquarters, welcomed the group and emphasized the importance and dinner.”
of the workshop, which began with a talk entitled “Radiation 101, An The two types of workshops are just one aspect of DOE-Savannah
Overview and Demonstration,” provided by Greg Joyner, SRNS Senior River’s Environmental Justice Program.
Instructor, Radiological Protection.
Carrico said, “Working closely with Dr. Kenneth Sajwan, Project
Other presentations by SRNS personnel during the three-day event Director, Savannah State University, and Rev. Brendolyn Jenkins
included “SRS Environmental Monitoring: Wildlife Surveillance Boseman, Executive Director, The Imani Group, Inc., we’ve conducted
Program,” “Emergency Preparedness,” and “Education Outreach,” a series of activities promoting environmental justice in addition to
provided by Taylor Rice, SRNS Education Outreach. the TREAT workshops. For example, we hold outreach meetings in
“I was there to educate the teachers about programs we offer and different locations throughout the region where the general public is
the ways we can support them as well as their students during the invited. This approach has been quite successful as well.”

Rev. Brendolyn Boseman of The Imani Group speaks at the at the Teaching Radiation, Energy and Technology workshop.