Defining Environmental Justice Communities 7/29/16 Meeting: Advance Materials Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center Allegheny County Health Department

Agenda Welcome and Introductions Goals and Purpose Definitions: What does environmental justice mean in your community? Nominate datasets for consideration Voting Report out

Ground Rules •Be welcoming, considerate, and respectful •Be an active listener •No personal agendas •Seek opportunities to contribute and collaborate

What is Environmental Justice (EJ)? The US EPA defines Environmental Justice as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”  Further, the “EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across this nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys: the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment in which to live, learn, and work.” Source: www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice

Why are we are here today? Goal is to: Objectively choose Environmental Justice (EJ) indicators Based on data that is: Available From a trusted source Goal is not to: Subjectively choose Environmental Justice (EJ) communities Based on: Personal interest Perception

What are EJ indicators? Socioeconomic Environmental Neighborhood Measureable characteristics in one or more of three domains: Examples: Poverty Education Examples: Vacancy Green space Examples: Illegal dump sites Air quality

Why are EJ indicators important? First step in the process of objectively identifying EJ communities

Data user group discussions led by UCSUR 1st meeting was December 4, 2015 Attendees generated ideas on essential indicators Data user group discussions led by UCSUR Ensure that all have available data from trusted sources Rank and combine indicators for total score List of EJ indicators Inform allocation of resources for community and government entities May have planning and permitting implications for ACHD List of EJ communities Where are we in this process? We are here

Environmental Indicators: Concepts to Consider Other drivers of health Proximity Dispersion Transformation Exposure Health Risk How close is the community to a source of pollution? How do emissions spread throughout the environment? Do emissions transform into new substances once released? How are people exposed to pollutants in the environment? What’s the health risk from these emissions? What other factors influence the health risk? Indicator Complexity

What does Environmental Justice mean in your community?

Ideal Indicator(s) Accurate Representative Understood Holistic Accessible Efficient

Nominate a Dataset https://www.flickr.com/photos/avalowery/2893911863/in/photolist-5pJ4b8-pBCYAu-pBxymX-pU7brf-8GEuu-pBATiB-pRSwuW-btdDab-bG8sw2-4STuCK-hV9MCK-hV9cMm-hV9cNo-hV9jKh-rbZTm7-btdC9U-nGhYLx-93xnJQ-btdE9h-93uh7z-bG8sS2-bkWwqh-bkWuCo-bkWwBL-byRnfZ-byRpnx-bkWwWW-bkWxe1-byRp8X-byRq9v-bkWwdN-bkWw8C-aptfd5-ecc3BM-vwjiPV-H2JeSL-H2JfnU-HXAc9T-H2JfBm-HRc2yD-H2Jf4N-byRpQR-byRpKv-edctqR-bkWwSs-bkWy3L-byRoPV-5gYjZB-bkWuLE-byRq6i

Vote

Wrap-up