BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Environmental Justice Policy Discussion.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Discuss and consider three Proposed Environmental Justice Policy Recommendations from the Board Policy and Planning Committee:
A. Discuss and Consider a Proposed Environmental Justice Policy Statement;
B. Discuss and Consider a Proposed Environmental Justice Legislative Guiding Principle; and
C. Discuss and Consider a Proposed Executive Limitation on Environmental Justice Implementation.
Body
SUMMARY:
INTRODUCTION: At the Board Policy and Planning Committee (Committee) meeting on January 22, 2017, the Committee requested that staff present a proposed Environmental Justice Policy Statement, Legislative Guiding Principle, and Environmental Justice Implementation Framework for consideration. The Committee also asked staff to provide examples of District projects that could implement Environmental Justice, and to provide the status on Environmental Justice policies in other Water Resources Associations. Accordingly, the following memorandum has been prepared for the Board's consideration. The memorandum includes: 1) a brief definition of Environmental Justice, 2) the three proposed Environmental Justice policy recommendations from the Committee, 3) four examples of District projects, and 4) the status on Environmental Justice policies within Water Resources Associations.
DEFINITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE - FEDERAL STANDARD: At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Executive Order on Environmental Justice authorized by President Clinton in 1994, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), collectively define Environmental Justice. As per the EPA, Environmental Justice is "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."...
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