US EPA Must Address Discriminatory Use of Funds, 9th Circuit Says

Reversing a trial judge's dismissal of a community group's civil rights lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on mootness grounds, a federal appeals court panel has ruled that the agency needs to address what the plaintiff describes as an unfair practice of spending money in well-to-do areas.

Additionally, the panel says in its written opinion (PDF), there is also a "pattern of delay" by the agency's office of civil rights in dealing with such complaints.

A Greenwire article in the New York Times provides additional details about the lawsuit.