The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fishes at Fish Trap lake to better understand the pollution West Dallas residents have faced for decades.

Neighborhood groups are trying negotiation and legal action to get GAF and its pollution out of West Dallas faster — and without leaving a mess.

While GAF has canceled public meetings for the time being, West Dallas 1 is hosting its own public meetings with the goal of informing neighbors and amplifying more residents’ voices.

Neighbors don’t understand why GAF needs so long to leave and question who will truly benefit from a land upgrade. Once again, they have to defend their vision for their neighborhood.

Esther Villarreal, appointee to Dallas' environmental commission and West Dallas resident, reflects on her advocacy and shares her hopes for the health of her community.

From putting pressure on lead smelters in the 1980s to ongoing pushback against roofing manufacturer GAF, environmental justice issues in West Dallas have been community issues.

GAF is North America’s leading roofing manufacturer, and its federal permit is up for renewal. West Dallas neighbors are seizing the opportunity to fight against GAF’s presence in their neighborhood.