Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, issued in February of 1994, provides direction to all federal agencies to incorporate Environmental Justice concerns into our existing programs. Environmental Justice is a mandate to change or make the difference in the lives of those who could be or have been adversely impacted by environmental effects resulting from government actions. All populations, including minority and low-income, are provided the opportunity to comment before decisions are made on government programs and activities affecting human health or the environment. These groups are provided the opportunity to share in the benefits of, and be or not be excluded from, and not affected in a disproportionately high and adverse manner, by these programs and activities. NRCS is committed to incorporating Environmental Justice considerations into all programs and activities.