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Environmental Justice Laws and Initiatives Overview in California

This presentation gives an overview of state laws on environmental justice, ARB initiatives on community health, and environmental justice concerns. It covers topics such as differential pollution distribution, equity in decision-making, and state laws defining environmental justice. The ARB's efforts in community health programs and children's health initiatives are highlighted, including strategies for reducing health risks, improving community assessments, and reducing emissions. The importance of addressing cumulative risk and new sources of pollution is emphasized along with how CEQA requirements and ARB guidance play a role in fostering informed local decisions. The presentation concludes by stressing ARB's commitment to integrating environmental justice into all programs and policies.

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Environmental Justice Laws and Initiatives Overview in California

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Overview of Presentation Introduction State Laws on Environmental Justice Air Resources Board Initiatives on Community Health and Environmental Justice

  2. Introduction • No consensus on what “environmental justice” means • Common theme -- concern that exposures to environmental hazards are greater for minority and low-income individuals

  3. Common Environmental Justice Concerns • Differential distribution of pollution and health risk among communities • Equity in decision-making process • Equity in enforcement • Addressing environmental justice in context of other community issues such as economic status

  4. State Laws on Environmental Justice • SB 115 (Signed 1999) and SB 89 (Approved 2000) • Defines environmental justice as fair treatment of people of all races, cultures and incomes • Applies to development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and policies

  5. ARB Initiatives on Community Health and Environmental Justice

  6. ARB’s Community Health Program • Goal: to assess and reduce health risk as quickly as possible • Includes Environmental Justice Program • Near and long-term strategies • Special focus on children • Both outdoor and indoor programs

  7. Children’s Health Initiatives • Community Asthma Study • Review of Air Quality Standards • Monitoring in Schools • Monitoring in School Buses • School Bus Clean-up Funds

  8. How ARB is Improving Community Assessments • Mapping cumulative risk statewide • Neighborhood Assessment Program • New modeling protocols and validation • Advances in community monitoring • Addressing gaps in health data

  9. Cumulative Risk Mapping - Los Angeles

  10. Inhalable Cancer Risk Map Central Los Angeles

  11. ARB Outreach Efforts • Share information and solicit community participation • Provide timely and meaningful responses to community concerns • Explicitly identifying and considering impacts of ARB actions in communities

  12. Reducing Health Risk in Communities • ARB programs account for a majority of new emission reductions statewide • Air toxics -- diesel particulate emissions are highest priority • Additional focus on pollution prevention, targeted air toxics measures, vehicle repair assistance and incentives funds

  13. 2001 EJ Related Board Items • Diesel retrofits for trash and cargo tanker trucks • Toxics Measure: Automotive Refinishing • 2001 Clean Air Plan • Refinery “Good Neighbor” Guidance • Environmental Justice Guidelines • CEQA Guidelines for Land-Use Decisions

  14. Environmental Justice Guidelines: Concepts • Integrate EJ into ARB Programs • Strengthen Outreach and Education • Reduce Health Risks in Communities • Strengthen Enforcement • Assess and Consider Cumulative Impacts

  15. Cumulative Risk and New Sources • Cumulative risk includes the total mix of pollutants • Concern is cumulative risk from multiple sources • Cumulative risk is not considered in air district permitting processes

  16. CEQA and Cumulative Risk • CEQA requires public agencies to consider environmental impacts • Environmental documents should include information on cumulative impacts • ARB guidance is intended to foster more informed local land-use decisions

  17. Addressing Existing Sources • ARB and District regulatory programs • Incentives: Moyer, School Buses, Mitigation Funds • Strong Enforcement • Other concepts: EJ trust funds for non-traditional solutions

  18. Summary • ARB is committed to making environmental justice a part of every program, policy, regulation and action • We are developing guidelines to assist air districts and local governments in integrating environmental justice into their programs

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