BOARD MEETING DATE: August 13, 1999 AGENDA NO. 24
REPORT:
Adopt Recommendations Presented in the Environmental Justice Task Force Final Report
SYNOPSIS:
After an 18-month evaluation effort, the Environmental Justice Task Force has completed its review of environmental justice issues related to air quality, and submitted this final report. Among the recommendations in this report are design parameters for future emissions credit trading programs; suggested follow-up of AQMD’s Town Hall meetings; and prioritization of air quality monitoring activities.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, July 23, 1999, Reviewed
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt recommendations presented in the Environmental Justice Task Force Final Report.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
As part of the Environmental Justice Initiatives, the Governing Board called together a 27-member Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF) representing the interests of environmental advocacy groups, public policy and public health professionals, large and small local businesses, scholars, community groups and students. The purpose of the task force was to evaluate environmental justice issues related to AQMD programs and report back to the Board on ways the AQMD can be more effective in addressing environmental justice as part of its overall goals and objectives. Further, the EJTF was to:
This report is a consensus document and represents many hours of dialogue among EJTF members. The EJTF has met its assigned, 18-month timeframe and respectfully submits this final report to the Governing Board.
Attachment
EJTF Final Report
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TASK FORCE
FINAL REPORT TO GOVERNING BOARD
AUGUST 13, 1999
At the October 10, 1997 meeting of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), Governing Board Chairman William Burke proposed a set of guiding principles and Environmental Justice Initiatives. These were adopted by the full Governing Board. Initiative #5 established an Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF). Subsequently, at its November 14, 1997 meeting, the Governing Board adopted a workplan and charter for the EJTF.
In sum, the above documents guided the activities of the EJTF over its 18-month lifespan. The EJTF was, essentially, to evaluate environmental justice issues related to AQMD programs and report back to the Board on ways the AQMD can be more effective in addressing environmental justice as part of its overall goals and objectives.
This report reviews each element of the EJTF workplan, the actions taken by the EJTF regarding that item, and submits the following recommendations for adoption. Below is a summary of the recommendations from the EJTF Workplan:
Initiative #1 – Town Hall Meetings:
Initiative #2 – Ambient Monitoring of Toxic Air Contaminants:
Initiative #3 – Community Response Teams:
Initiative #4 – California Environmental Quality Act:
Initiative #5 – Environmental Justice Task Force:
Initiative #6 – City of Los Angeles Environmental Justice Forum:
Initiative #7 – Diesel Fuel Clean-Up Incentives:
Initiative #8 – Field Inspection Technology:
Initiative #10 – Public Comment on Rules 1401 and 1402:
The EJTF believes that if the AQMD Governing Board adopts and directs staff to implement the recommendations contained herein, the AQMD will make continuous forward steps in incorporating environmental justice not only into its ongoing goals and objectives, but also into its actual policy.
Detailed Description of Workplan and Recommendation
Trading programs (emissions credit generation and use) were the key discussion point at EJTF meetings from April through July 1999. The EJTF was unable to arrive at consensus on whether trading is, intrinsically, a good idea. As a result, EJTF concluded that it could be most helpful in providing the Governing Board with a set of trading program design parameters for use in the event that AQMD develops future trading programs. Therefore, if the AQMD does create future trading programs or if it revises existing ones, the EJTF recommends that these programs include the following principles designed to address environmental justice concerns:
Further, the EJTF is in agreement that emission trading programs should provide people of all communities convenient access to relevant information and the opportunity for meaningful participation in the decision-making processes that affect the environmental quality of their communities.
During its discussions, the EJTF agreed that Board policy regarding existing and future trading programs should consider the most current data available, including MATES II data.
Further, AQMD has an ongoing group tasked specifically with the design of trading programs. The EJTF felt that the design principles which it recommends should be incorporated into that work.
The EJTF provided comments to staff during the development of the work programs for MATES II and the ATSTRG. The EJTF recommended that the ATSTRG first focus on chemicals known to be human carcinogens, then on those with known acute or chronic health effects. The EJTF also recommended that ATSTRG review chemical compounds and emissions data for cumulative impacts.
Further, EJTF recommended that MATES II include monitoring sites in areas that had previously shown high readings for criteria pollutants with potential toxic compounds (e.g., carbon monoxide).
These recommendations were received and incorporated into the work of the ATSTRG and MATES II; one EJTF representative was invited to participate on the ATSTRG and four EJTF organizations were represented on the ATSTRG.
During the course of the 18 months preceding this report, the EFTF received regular updates on the AQMD’s MATES II and Microscale Study.
Preliminary data from the MATES II and microscale programs became available in February 1999, and final data is expected to be available in November 1999.
The EJTF received monthly reports on the progress of each EJ Initiative. EJTF provided guidance to staff throughout the implementation of these initiatives.
Initiative #1 – Town Hall Meetings: EJTF consensus was that these meetings were historic. AQMD Governing Board members and staff met face-to-face with residents in 16 neighborhoods within AQMD’s regulatory jurisdiction. These meetings enhanced residents’ understanding of the multi-jurisdictional aspects of air pollution regulation, made AQMD accessible, helped educate residents on the scope and limits of AQMD authority, explained the permit process, and allowed AQMD to learn about the issues which were important to the public.
Three categories of issues emerged from all of the Town Hall meetings. The EJTF recommends additional, appropriate follow-up in each of these categories:
EJTF members recommend coupling this educational outreach with other AQMD outreach activities whenever possible (e.g., Children’s Initiatives and community meetings and events).
Initiative #2 – Ambient Monitoring of Toxic Air Contaminants: At the conclusion of MATES II, the mobile platform should continue to be made available to communities with concerns, as well as to school districts and others identified in the Children’s Air Quality Agenda. Priority should be given to areas where air toxics or criteria pollutants are disproportionately higher than in other areas under the AQMD’s jurisdiction, and areas with sensitive receptors, including daycare facilities. EJTF members believe that multi-jurisdictional air sampling projects, such as was done at Suva School, could result in greater stakeholder involvement, better policy decisions, and lower costs to the AQMD than projects taken on by AQMD alone. Continue ongoing information exchange between the AQMD and the community.
Initiative #3 – Community Response Teams: Continue to call multi-stakeholder teams together when serious ongoing community concerns are identified. The EJTF recommends that AQMD follow-up on the outcome of Community Response Team activities by reporting back to the community.
Initiative #4 – California Environmental Quality Act: AQMD continues to revise and strengthen its CEQA guidelines to lead agencies. The EJTF recommends that AQMD continue to comment on major significant projects and projects where a high level of community concerns has been expressed on air quality issues.
Initiative #5 – Environmental Justice Task Force: The work of the EJTF is complete with the Governing Board’s acceptance of this report. AQMD should sunset this task force and continue to report regularly on implementation of these Initiatives via its website until all Initiatives are completed.
Initiative #6 – City of Los Angeles Environmental Justice Forum: The EJTF recommends that the AQMD continue to work with the City of Los Angeles, the USEPA, and other jurisdictions to provide forums for the discussion of environmental justice issues.
Initiative #7 – Diesel Fuel Clean-Up Incentives: The AQMD is commended for its aggressive support of legislation to reduce the emissions from diesel fuel. Mobile source assessments, grant funds, and other resources received by the AQMD should continue to be allocated to this effort. Education to residents, schools, local governments and businesses on the harmful effects of diesel should continue to be provided by AQMD. The implementation of cleaner, alternative technologies should continue to be encouraged by AQMD.
Initiative #8 – Field Inspection Technology: The EJTF recognizes that the AQMD has invested in better field inspection technology. The EJTF recommends continuing budget allocations to maintain up-to-date field technology, especially in the area of odor detection and source allocation.
Initiative #9 – Portable Equipment Permitting: The EJTF acknowledges that the California Air Resources Board now has authority over most portable equipment. However, in cases where AQMD retains authority, the EJTF recognizes and supports staff efforts to safeguard against unintended localized impacts through Agenda Item #43 adopted at the March 1999 Governing Board meeting.
Initiative #10 – Public Comment on Rules 1401 and 1402: The EJTF acknowledges the need to reduce air toxics within the AQMD’s jurisdiction. As part of this effort, the EJTF recommends maintaining an open, all-stakeholder dialogue on Rule 1402 and on amendments to Rule 1401.
The EJTF has developed an Environmental Justice Compact (Attachment 1) which was adopted by the AQMD Governing Board on June 11, 1999. EJTF recommends making the compact available to others via the AQMD’s website and as a part of other outreach.
The Governing Board approval of the 10-point Environmental Justice Initiatives was just one step in launching a new era in air pollution control. The EJTF expects the Children’s Air Quality Agenda, recently adopted by the Governing Board, to continue to focus on the health impacts of smog and on ways smog can be reduced. MATES II is expected to provide new information on air toxics and to begin to provide data on cumulative emissions in specific areas. The EJTF recommends continuing these efforts.
The EJTF reviewed and provided comments to staff on various AQMD programs. Many of their comments have been or are being implemented. A partial listing of the programs which benefited from EJTF input includes:
EJTF recommends that AQMD staff revisit its policies and procedures on a periodic basis to ensure that environmental justice issues remain as a regular part of AQMD activities.
Prioritization of Environmental Justice Issues
The EJTF believes that as the Board implements the recommendations contained in this report, it will improve the incorporation of environmental justice principles into AQMD policies and procedures overall. The EJTF recommends that, wherever possible, the Board assign District resources (e.g., air monitoring equipment) first to areas where air toxics or criteria pollutants are disproportionately higher than in other areas under the AQMD’s jurisdiction.
Attachment 1 E J Compact
Attachment 2 EJTF Roster
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