BOARD MEETING DATE: September 5, 2003
AGENDA NO. 30
Approve Proposed 2003-04 Environmental Justice Workplan
SYNOPSIS:
At the July 11, 2003 Board meeting, staff proposed an EJ Workplan for 2003-04 consisting of 10 proposed enhancements for a 60-day public comment period. Staff has circulated the 2003-04 EJ Workplan and is presenting a revised proposal for Board approval.
COMMITTEE:
Administrative, August 8, 2003, Recommended for Approval
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
- Direct staff to proceed with the implementation of the Environmental Justice Workplan for FY 2003-04 as detailed in Attachment 2, for completion no later than June 2004;
- Direct staff to make periodic status reports to the appropriate Advisory Groups and Board Committees, as detailed in Attachment 3.
Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer
Background
As part of the Strategic Alliance Initiatives approved by the Board in January 2002, AQMD staff committed to perform an annual review of AQMD’s environmental justice (EJ) program and to lay out proposed environmental justice related activities for the following fiscal year. Based on community input received at Town Hall Meetings and public consultations held throughout the implementation of the 2002-03 EJ Workplan, staff distilled and circulated a set of 10 proposed enhancements at the July 2003 Board meeting for 60 days of public review and comments. Staff was directed to return to the Board by September 2003 with a revised proposal for approval.
During August 2003, a series of three public consultation meetings was held to solicit community feedback concerning the proposed program enhancements. In addition to the Environmental Justice Public Consultation Meetings, staff also presented the FY 2003-04 Workplan as part of a series of Cumulative Impact Community Forums and Environmental Justice Workshops held during summer. The workshops were attended by a diverse audience representing business, local government, health agencies, environmental groups and the general public.
Staff reviewed the proposed enhancements with environmental and community groups, business groups, trade associations and several AQMD Board committees and advisory groups and also with the participants of the Environmental Justice Councils established as part of last year’s Environmental Justice enhancements. Changes to the proposed enhancements were made based on input received at these meetings.
The proposed enhancements are intended to further identify and address concerns and serve as the basis for further outreach and problem-solving activities regarding short- and long-term environmental justice issues.
A reporting calendar for the 10 enhancements has been developed with performance checkpoints and assignments to the designated lead staff in the respective offices. The calendar will help to ensure timely reporting to the Board and appropriate committees and advisory groups.
In addition to implementing the District’s own program enhancements, staff continues to be actively involved with environmental justice efforts at the state level. Staff participates as a member of CARB’s Environmental Justice Stakeholders Group and the Cal/EPA Advisory Committee for Environmental Justice (SB 89-Escutia), as well as discussions on related issues by the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association (CAPCOA). Staff’s active profile is intended to help ensure consistency and integration among regional and state environmental justice programs and levels of authority.
Proposal
Staff has circulated the draft 2003-04 EJ Workplan to solicit feedback and suggestions from the public, industry, and other stakeholders; and has held three public consultation meetings, five cumulative impact workshops and six environmental justice training workshops this summer. Staff has further refined the proposed Workplan and recommends Board approval to proceed with the finalized Workplan.
Resource Impacts
It is anticipated that there will be workload adjustments required relative to implementing the proposed 2003-04 Environmental Justice Workplan. These modifications will be addressed through current budget allocations and staffing whenever possible. Any individual project or activity requiring significant additional resources will be brought to the Board for approval.
- Summary of Public Comments Received
- Proposed Environmental Justice Workplan for FY 2003-04
- Reporting Commitment Calendar
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