Printer-friendlyEnvironment DEC
From the March 2008 issue
DEC Names New Chief to Promote Environmental Equity and Justice
Lisa Garcia has been named Chief Advocate for Environmental Justice, a new position created by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to spearhead and pursue community-based initiatives in minority or low-income areas across the state. Most recently, Ms. Garcia served as Assistant Attorney General for the New York State Attorney General, where she represented various state agencies in environmental litigation matters and defended New York's Brownfields Cleanup Program.
DEC's Environmental Justice program works with community groups in areas adversely affected by environmental issues
Since receiving her law degree from Brooklyn Law School, Ms. Garcia has built an extensive background in environmental law and advocacy work, including working on international arbitration and federal appeals cases. Other positions Ms. Garcia has held in the past 10 years include senior environmental attorney for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) and assistant clinical professor for Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic.
Although Ms. Garcia will be based in DEC's Region 2 office in Long Island City, she will work directly for DEC's General Counsel and head the department's Environmental Justice (EJ) Office and anticipates that her work will involve all DEC program areas. She will be responsible for statewide initiatives and outreach programs.
