Community Involvement- The Key Ingredient in Connecticut’s Brownfields and Environmental Justice Programs Mark Lewis, Brownfields Coordinator Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection

Connecticut’s Brownfields Program $130 M investment in Brownfields since 2011 Every $1 state investment = $6.29 of non- state money Making sure it is distributed equitably a key challenge Selection process considers socio-economic status of community Former Capewell Horsenail Factory- Hartford “Groundbreaking” for apartments June 2015

CTDEEP's Environmental Equity Policy “No segment of the population should, because of its racial or economic makeup, bear a disproportionate share of the risks and consequences of environmental pollution or be denied equal access to environmental benefits." Adopted in 1993 Newhall neighborhood, Hamden

How is Connecticut Different? Wealthy state with large wealth gap No county government Strong home rule Long industrial history- “Arsenal of Democracy” Remington Arms- Bridgeport Remington Arms- more recently

Why Environmental Justice? Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford and Waterbury have: 19% of Connecticut’s pollution 20% of all potential pollution sources 51% of all the state's population in poverty 71% of the state's minority population

Community Involvement & Brownfields Ensures that benefits and burdens are shared across community Increases community support for projects Gives everyone a voice in the process Makes sure the project works for the community Former derelict piers, Bridgeport Now Knowlton Street Park

Develop a plan that creates open- two way communications Outlines specific outreach activities Timeline/schedule for outreach activities throughout the entire project. 7

Identify the Community Local residents Businesses Neighborhood associations Neighborhood Revitalizations Zones (NRZ) Environmental groups Tenants Associations 8

Community Cont.’ Neighborhood block watch Faith-based organizations, schools, civic organizations Aldermen, City Council members Medical Providers People with interests in redevelopment of the site. 9 Beulah Ministries, New Haven

Other Important Stakeholders State and local health departments –health risks City planners Engineering and remediation consultants Federal & state environmental protection agencies Developers & architectural design consultants 10

OUTREACH/NOTIFICATION Postings signs on site (may require zoning approval) Newspapers (in appropriate language) Community newsletters (online or mailings) Social media- Facebook, Twitter YouTube and blogs 11

OUTREACH/NOTIFICATION Notices/Fliers displayed in stores, bodegas, restaurants libraries, senior centers, health clinics Announcement on local public access television Telephone calls and written notification to neighborhood/community groups and organizations in appropriate language* 12 Multi- lingual health advisory for fishing

OTHER OUTREACH ACTIVITIES Bus & walking tours Technical Assistance workshops summarizing clean-up and redevelopment details in appropriate language(s) Cut the jargon out PLEASE No Acronyms!! 13

FACT SHEETS What are the known health and safety hazards? How will the site be secured and inaccessible? Will there be air monitoring during remediation? Explain the “moon suits” i.e. OSHA worker protection requirements for remediation workers Clean-up timeframe 14

ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS Maintain a repository of pertinent documents in the local community, library or other convenient location Maintain a website and/or a blog 15

MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT Meaningful community involvement is a key component of successful brownfields redevelopment programs. Public involvement is meaningful when the community’s contributions influence the decision making process. 16

INCLUSION OF THE COMMUNITY IN THE PLANNING PROCESS Provide Redevelopment Workshops & Charrettes 17

LACK OF TIMELY NOTICE AND INCLUSTION LEADS TO: – Hostility and distrust of government & industry – Intensification of community conflicts – Project delays – Additional costs – Litigation – Sabotage 18

“ BREAK BREAD” Shared meals can build goodwill and trust

BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE Brownfields cleanup must meet community needs Know who your community is and what their needs are Partnerships are Critical Respect Others Share (information and resources) Obey the rules Cooperate Be truthful Show kindness Play fair Keep promises 20 Future Harding High School, Bridgeport

Contact Info Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Mark Lewis Brownfields Coordinator Brownfields Program (860) Edith Pestana, MPH Administrator Environmental Justice Program (860)