DEP and Discrimination

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including Limited English Proficiency), disability, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity or expression), and age in administration of its services, programs, activities, or employment practices. DEP does not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in actions protected, or oppose actions prohibited, by 40 C.F.R. Parts 5 and 7, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights. DEP complies with all state and federal laws, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act of 1955, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Effective Communication

DEP will generally, upon request, provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations leading to effective communication with qualified persons with disabilities and those with Limited English Proficiency so they can participate equally in DEP’s programs, services, and activities.

Please visit our webpage on accessibility or complete an accommodation request related to a disability here.

Please complete an accommodation request related to a Limited English Proficiency here.

How to Submit a Discrimination Complaint

Individuals may submit a complaint of discrimination regarding DEP services, programs, and activities by completing and submitting the DEP Discrimination Complaint Form.

The DEP Discrimination Complaint Form should be sent to DEP’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator by email or postal mail as shown below:

For questions on how to file a complaint, please contact DEP’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator.

Neil Bakshi
DEP Non-Discrimination Coordinator
400 Market Street, 16th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17105
Email: RA-EPNonDiscrim@pa.gov
Phone: (717) 787-0880

Role of the non-discrimination coordinator: The coordination and oversight of the discrimination complaints submitted by the public against DEP, and administration of these grievance procedures related to federal non-discrimination laws.

DEP encourages all Discrimination Complaint forms to be submitted no more than 180 days after the alleged discriminatory DEP service, program, or activity.

Disclaimers

Submission of this DEP Discrimination Complaint Form only initiates investigation by DEP of alleged discrimination by the agency. Submission does not file a complaint with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nor an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board or any other agency, investigative body, or judicial tribunal.
Important rights are at stake, and deadlines may apply — you should consult with an attourney
To file a Title VI complaint with the EPA, please visit their website or contact them by email at Title_VI_Complaints@epa.gov
To file an internal employment-related discrimination complaints as a Commonwealth employee or candidate for employment, please visit the Office of Administration’s website or call 717-783-1130.
To file an environmental complaint, please visit the Department of Environmental Protection’s website or call 866-255-5158.
To file an appeal to the Environmental Hearing Board, please visit their website or call 717-787-3483.
Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law (RTKL) provides that records of an agency relating to a non-criminal investigation, including complaints submitted to an agency, are exempt from disclosure. A person with a direct interest in the record that is subject of an appeal before the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records will receive notice and have an opportunity to participate in the appeal. See 65 P.S. §67.1101(c).

Frequently Asked Questions on Discrimination Complaints

Who may file a complaint?

Anyone who believes they may have experienced discrimination in violation of the DEP Notice of Non-Discrimination may file a complaint under the grievance procedures explained below.

What is the basis for filing a discrimination complaint?

Appropriate bases for filing a complaint include alleged discrimination as a consequence of a DEP authorization, service, program, or activity under the laws it administers, including disparate impacts, based on protected classes including race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, limited English language proficiency, national origin, or disability.

What process will DEP use to evaluate a complaint?

Upon submission of a completed Discrimination Complaint form, DEP will review and investigate the grievance. DEP will gather information to verify the facts stated in the complaint form and assess whether discrimination has occurred and take appropriate action. The preponderance of the evidence standard (which generally means, “more likely than not”) will be applied during the investigation and analysis of the complaint.

Forms that are submitted without responses to every question in the Complaint Information section may be considered incomplete and returned to the sender. DEP will open an investigation if the information provided in the completed complaint form alleges discriminatory action by the agency. DEP will provide notice when it commences an investigation. Anonymous complaints may be filed, but no further information on the complaint will be released to the individual who submitted the form. DEP will consider any form with the Name field noted with “Anonymous” or left blank to be submitted anonymously. Please keep a copy of the completed form for your records.

Written notice will be promptly provided about the outcome of the investigation, including whether discrimination is found and the description of the investigation.

Intimidation and retaliation as the result of submission of a Discrimination Complaint form are prohibited, and claims of such will be handled promptly and fairly.

DEP commits to the prompt investigation and fair resolution of complaints which allege violations of federal and state nondiscrimination laws. DEP will keep the person who submitted the complaint informed of the progress of the investigation.

These grievance procedures are reviewed on an annual basis and revised as necessary, to ensure prompt and fair resolution of discrimination complaints.

Feedback or Questions Regarding Discrimination Complaint Procedure and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at DEP:

Please contact us at RA-EPNonDiscrim@pa.gov if you have questions for or feedback you would like to provide DEP in its work to ensure nondiscrimination services, programs, and activities. DEP aims to respond to your comments or questions within ten business days. You may contact the Office of Administration to escalate your feedback or questions.

Attention: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call: 717-783-9954 or send an e-mail to: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.

Atención: Si usted habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, los servicios de asistencia lingüística, de forma gratuita, están disponibles para usted. Llame al: 717-783-9954 o envíe un correo electrónico a: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.

注意: 如果您说英语以外的语言, 您可以免费获得语言援助服务。电话: 717-783-9954 或发送电子邮件至: RRA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.

CHÚ ý: nếu bạn nói một ngôn ngữ khác ngoài tiếng Anh, Dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ, miễn phí, có sẵn cho bạn. Call: 717-783-9954 hoặc gửi e-mail đến: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.

ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы говорите на языке, кроме английского языка, Услуги по языковой помощи, бесплатно, доступны для вас. Звоните: 717-783-9954 или отправить по электронной почте: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.

주의: 영어 이외의 언어를 구사하는 경우에는 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 이용하실 수 있습니다. 전화: 717-783-9954 또는 RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov에 전자 메일을 보냅니다.

Attenzione: se parli una lingua diversa dall'inglese, i servizi di assistenza linguistica gratuiti sono a tua disposizione. Chiamare: 717-783-9954 o inviare una e-mail a: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.

الاهتمام: إذا كنت تتحدث لغة أخرى غير الانجليزيه ، وخدمات المساعدة اللغوية ، مجانا ، وتتوفر لك. الاتصال علي: 717-783-9954 أو إرسال بريد الكتروني إلى: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.

Attention: Si vous parlez une langue autre que l’anglais, les services d’assistance linguistique, gratuits, sont à votre disposition. Composez le: 717-783-9954 ou envoyez un courriel à: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.

Attention: Wenn Sie eine andere Sprache als Englisch sprechen, stehen Ihnen kostenlose Sprachunterstützung zur Verfügung. Rufen Sie an: 717-783-9954 oder senden Sie eine E-Mail an: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.