Overview
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 offers accommodations for effective communication to qualified individuals with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. This ensures equal participation in its programs, services, and activities.
The DEP Accommodation Request Form can be downloaded here: English (DOCX) | Español (DOCX)
This form should be sent to DEP’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator by email or postal mail at the address shown below.
Disclaimers
- Submission of this DEP Discrimination Complaint Form only initiates review 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 attorney
- To file a Title VI complaint with the EPA, pleaes visit the EPA 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 website or call 717-783-1130.
- To file an environmental complaint, please visit the Department of Environmental Protection website or call 866-255-5158.
- To file an appeal to the Environmental Hearing Board, please visit the Environmental Hearing Board 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 may participate in the appeal by following the requirements of 65 P.S. §67.1101(c).
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
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.
This Accessibility Statement has been formally approved by DEP.
Language assistance services
If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services are available to you at no cost. Call: 717-787-0880 or send an e-mail to: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
Si habla un idioma que no sea inglés, los servicios de asistencia lingüística están disponibles para usted sin costo alguno. Llame al: 717-787-0880 o envíe un correo electrónico a: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
如果您说英语以外的语言，您可以免费获得语言协助服务。致电: 717-787-0880 或发送电子邮件至: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
Nếu bạn nói một ngôn ngữ khác ngoài tiếng Anh, các dịch vụ hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ sẽ được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Gọi: 717-787-0880 hoặc gửi e-mail đến: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
Если вы говорите на языке, отличном от английского, услуги языковой помощи доступны для вас бесплатно. Позвоните по телефону: 717-787-0880 или отправьте электронное письмо по адресу: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
Wenn Sie eine andere Sprache als Englisch sprechen, stehen Ihnen kostenlose Sprachunterstützungsdienste zur Verfügung. Rufen Sie an: 717-787-0880 oder senden Sie eine E-Mail an: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
تنبيه: إذا كنت تتحدث لغة أخرى غير الإنجليزية ، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية متاحة لك دون أي تكلفة. اتصل: 717-787-0880 أو أرسل بريدا إلكترونيا إلى: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
영어 이외의 언어를 구사하는 경우 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 이용할 수 있습니다. 전화: 717-787-0880 또는 다음 주소로 이메일을 보내십시오: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
यदि तपाईं अंग्रेजी बाहेक अन्य भाषा बोल्नुहुन्छ भने, भाषा सहायता सेवाहरू तपाईंलाई निःशुल्क उपलब्ध छन्। कल गर्नुहोस्: 717-787-0880 वा ई-मेल पठाउनुहोस्: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
Si vous parlez une langue autre que l’anglais, les services d’assistance linguistique, gratuits, sont à votre disposition. Composez le: 717-787-0880 ou envoyez un courriel à: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov.
તમે અંગ્રેજી સિવાયની અન્ય ભાષા બોલો છો, તો ભાષા સહાય સેવાઓ તમને વિના મૂલ્યે ઉપલબ્ધ છે. કૉલ કરો: 717-787-0880 અથવા ઇ-મેઇલ મોકલો: RA-EPLanguageAccess@pa.gov
Contact us
We review grievance procedures yearly and update them as needed to resolve discrimination complaints swiftly and fairly.
For feedback, questions, or concerns, please contact Neil Bakshi, DEP Non-Discrimination Coordinator.
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.
Submission Advice: DEP recommends filing complaints within 180 days of the incident.
Send the completed form to DEP’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator by email or mail:
Neil Bakshi
DEP Non-Discrimination Coordinator
400 Market Street, 16th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17105
Email: RA-EPNonDiscrim@pa.gov