Summary: Integrating Environmental Justice into your Projects
Integrating
Environmental Justice
into Your Projects
Maddie Burke
Civil Engineer – Construction
Co-coordinator for the Washington Stormwater
Center Environmental Justice Salon
April 17, 2024
Overview
• What is Environmental
Justice?
• Effective Communication
• Common Challenges
• Mapping Tools
• Behavior Change Programs
• Mature Tree Preservation
• Applying EJ to Your Program
• Looking at Success
| Environmental Justice for Designers
What is
Environmental
Justice?
3 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Definition
The EPA defines environmental justice as:
Environmental justice (EJ) 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.
Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the
negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and
commercial operations or policies.
This means all people receive the same protection from environmental and health
hazards
4 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Definition
The EPA defines overburdened
communities as:
Overburdened Communities are minority,
low-income, tribal, or indigenous populations
or geographic locations in the United States
that potentially experience disproportionate
environmental harms and risks.
This risk is amplified in communities with
preexisting social and economic barriers and
environmental risks
5 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Washington State Department of Ecology
The HEAL Act – Washington State Department of Ecology
Environmental Justice is a State Priority
A coordinated state agency approach to EJ
• In 2021, Washington passed the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act based on
recommendations from the Environmental Justice Task Force
• This law requires seven state agencies to identify and address environmental health
disparities in overburdened communities.
o These agencies must set a goal of 40% of spending to go toward impacted communities
• The HEAL Act established the Environmental Justice Council, 16 members appointed
by the governor, to create a coordinated approach to EJ.
6 | Presentation Title
Environmental Justice
Principals
I. Achieve the highest attainable environmental
quality and health outcomes for all people.
II. Adopt a racial justice lens.
III. Engage community meaningfully.
IV. Be transparent.
V. Be accountable.
By the Environmental Justice Task Force
Effective
Communication
8 | Presentation Title
Building a Connection
To help these communities, we need to connect with them
• Simply targeting environmental issues won’t address the disproportionate hazards
impacting overburdened communities
• We must interact with these communities if we want to help them
• An important factor of environmental justice is connecting with overburdened
communities
9 | Presentation Title
Reducing Barriers
Meet people where they are
• Develop effective messaging
o Understand your audience so the pitches hit the mark
o Get culturally relevant information
• Minimize travel requirements when asking for public
comment
• Reduce paperwork
• Provide compensation
10 | Presentation Title
Effective Messaging Example
The Clean Rivers Coalition’s Hispanic/Latinx Community Research Report
• 2021 research project on engaging Latinx families in Oregon and SW Washington.
o surveys
o community listening session (35 people)
o focus group (9 people)
11 | Presentation Title
2021 Stormwater Partners Symposium
2021 Stormwater Partners Symposium – November 16 – YouTube
Rebuild Lost Trust
We’ve historically failed these communities, so why should they work with
us now?
• Many overburdened communities have lost trust in the government
• Be prepared for limited response to your outreach efforts
• We are working to build a relationship with these overburdened communities, plan
for change to take a long time
• Avoid tokenization
“Change happens at the speed of trust.â€
12 | Presentation Title
Provide Compensation
Compensation is challenging, however, pathways will likely develop in
future policies
• Currently difficult to gain approval for compensation
• Other cities compensate through grants with a line item for compensation, then use
consultants to distribute funds
Bill 5793 – Effective 6/9/2022
13 | Presentation Title
Concerning stipends for low-income or underrepresented community members of
state boards, commissions, councils, committees, and other similar groups.
Revised for 2nd Substitute: Allowing compensation for lived experience on boards,
commissions, councils, committees, and other similar groups.
-Washington State Legislature
Common
Challenges
14 | Presentation Title
Public Outreach
Connecting can be time-consuming and difficult
• Messages aren’t reaching overburdened communities
o Connecting with these often “invisible†communities is challenging
o There’s no “right way†as each community is different
• Department support for doing what we’ve always done
o This results in no change
• EJ work rarely produces quantitative results
15 | Presentation Title
Gentrification
City projects can displace residents
• A progressive project, such as planting trees and adding bike lanes can create
rampant gentrification
• City projects can drive up property values and displace low-income residents
o Communities exposed to health hazards may not benefit from a project
• City projects have resulted in disrupted social networks and stress.
Take time to identify who will benefit from changes made to the City early in
project/program development.
16 | Presentation Title
Mapping Tools
17 | Presentation Title
Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map
By the Washington State Department of Health
18 | Presentation Title
EJScreen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
By the Environmental Protection Agency
19 | Presentation Title
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
By the Council on Environmental Quality
20 | Presentation Title
Tree Equity Score
By American Forests
21 | Presentation Title
Advantages and Limitations
What to consider when using mapping tools
Advantages
• Helps us assist the community and
make informed decisions
• Gives us a tool to evaluate programs
geographically
• Will help us track changes in
disparities over time
• Helps to support grant writing
Limitations
• Screening tools do not, by
themselves, determine the existence
of EJ issues
• Map does not reflect community
experiences and should not be used
to replace engagement
22 | Presentation Title
Using Mapping Tools Correctly
Use maps to support your project’s positive impact
• Identify which issues drive the scores. Issues should be related to your project.
• You should be able to make a case for how your project helps the identified
overburdened community.
23 | Presentation Title
Behavior
Change
Programs
24 | Presentation Title
Behavior Change Programs
Consider barriers when implementing a behavior change program
Common Barriers
• Upfront costs
• Knowledge barriers
• Homeowner barriers
• Paperwork
Incentives are often targeted to those with existing interests and fail to excite a
new audience.
25 | Presentation Title
Behavior Change Example
Challenges during Don’t Drip & Drive
• The Don’t Drip & Drive
campaign provided free leak
inspections
• Offered coupon for $50 off
repair at participating
mechanics
• An organizer shared that
communities of color were
afraid to provide their
information.
26 | Presentation Title
Don't Drip and Drive – Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
Mature Tree
Preservation
27 | Presentation Title
Mature Tree Preservation
Mature trees have a major role in combating health disparities identified in
EJ definition
• Tree canopy improves population health, well-being, and health equity in urban
settings
• Trees enhance air quality, mitigate the urban heat island, aid water management
• Research has linked exposure to green spaces and trees with improved mental
health, reduced stress, reduced loneliness, lower all-cause mortality, and lower
rates of obesity and chronic diseases.
28 | Presentation Title
Percentage of the population living in
poverty
Tree Canopy and Income: Vancouver
Percentage of tree canopy
Percentage of the population living in
poverty
Tree Canopy and Income: Spokane
Percentage of tree canopy
Urban Tree Analysis Report 2020 (spokanecity.org)
Mature Tree Preservation
Tree inequity create a health inequity for overburdened
communities
• Low-income neighborhoods have less tree cover and hotter temperatures
• The Nature Conservancy found that 92 percent of low-income blocks in the US have
less tree cover than high-income blocks.
• The Tree Equity Score map shows neighborhoods with a majority of people of color
have 33% less tree canopy than majority white communities.
For projects in low-income neighborhoods or areas with a majority of people of color,
preserve the trees, especially trees over 12 inches in diameter.
31 | Presentation Title
Applying EJ to
Your program
32 | Presentation Title
There’s No One Right Way
If you’re trying to reach these communities, you’re making progress!
For every new project and program:
• Identify applicable overburdened
communities
• Meet these communities where they
are
• Involve these communities in a way
that’s meaningful for them
• Involve communities early when
feedback can still shape you
project/program
Don’t forget to reflect
• Take time to reflect on what
communication types were well
received by these communities.
• Share these successes with your
coworkers
33 | Presentation Title
Listen and Learn
Value the input and conversations from overburdened residents
• Start having conversations whenever the opportunity arises.
• If someone reaches out to you, value their time and their lived experiences.
• Practice meaningful engagement.
34 | Presentation Title
Strive to Achieve the
5 EJ Principals
1. Achieve the highest attainable
environmental quality and health
outcomes for all people
2. Adopt a racial justice lens
3. Engage community meaningfully
4. Be transparent
5. Be accountable
35 | Presentation Title
The Environmental Justice Task Force developed
these principles for Washington State
Screenshot from:
Environmental Justice
Task Force:
Recommendations for
Prioritizing EJ in
Washington State
Government
(October 2020)
Applying EJ to Your Program
It’s about people
A component to every
project’s success is
how people feel
Reaching someone
new is always a win
Don’t get caught up in
quantitative results
Set a goal for a percentage of
project spending to go toward
overburdened communities
Choose an attainable goal (30%-
50% of project spending)
Reflect on your spending goal
annually
37 | Presentation Title
Your projects can make a difference
We’re going to get better!
The EJ world is gaining traction, more guidance is incoming
38 | Presentation Title
• HEAL Act aims to develop strategies and community engagement plans
• Channels for providing a voice for disproportionately affected communities are
developing
• We have agency support and state support
• We are striving for a healthier environment!
Celebrate Your Wins!
This work is hard!
39 | Presentation Title
Thank You!
[email protected] | (360) 608-7645
40 | Presentation Title
Environmental Justice
into Your Projects
Maddie Burke
Civil Engineer – Construction
Co-coordinator for the Washington Stormwater
Center Environmental Justice Salon
April 17, 2024
Overview
• What is Environmental
Justice?
• Effective Communication
• Common Challenges
• Mapping Tools
• Behavior Change Programs
• Mature Tree Preservation
• Applying EJ to Your Program
• Looking at Success
| Environmental Justice for Designers
What is
Environmental
Justice?
3 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Definition
The EPA defines environmental justice as:
Environmental justice (EJ) 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.
Fair treatment means no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the
negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and
commercial operations or policies.
This means all people receive the same protection from environmental and health
hazards
4 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Definition
The EPA defines overburdened
communities as:
Overburdened Communities are minority,
low-income, tribal, or indigenous populations
or geographic locations in the United States
that potentially experience disproportionate
environmental harms and risks.
This risk is amplified in communities with
preexisting social and economic barriers and
environmental risks
5 | Environmental Justice for Designers
Washington State Department of Ecology
The HEAL Act – Washington State Department of Ecology
Environmental Justice is a State Priority
A coordinated state agency approach to EJ
• In 2021, Washington passed the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act based on
recommendations from the Environmental Justice Task Force
• This law requires seven state agencies to identify and address environmental health
disparities in overburdened communities.
o These agencies must set a goal of 40% of spending to go toward impacted communities
• The HEAL Act established the Environmental Justice Council, 16 members appointed
by the governor, to create a coordinated approach to EJ.
6 | Presentation Title
Environmental Justice
Principals
I. Achieve the highest attainable environmental
quality and health outcomes for all people.
II. Adopt a racial justice lens.
III. Engage community meaningfully.
IV. Be transparent.
V. Be accountable.
By the Environmental Justice Task Force
Effective
Communication
8 | Presentation Title
Building a Connection
To help these communities, we need to connect with them
• Simply targeting environmental issues won’t address the disproportionate hazards
impacting overburdened communities
• We must interact with these communities if we want to help them
• An important factor of environmental justice is connecting with overburdened
communities
9 | Presentation Title
Reducing Barriers
Meet people where they are
• Develop effective messaging
o Understand your audience so the pitches hit the mark
o Get culturally relevant information
• Minimize travel requirements when asking for public
comment
• Reduce paperwork
• Provide compensation
10 | Presentation Title
Effective Messaging Example
The Clean Rivers Coalition’s Hispanic/Latinx Community Research Report
• 2021 research project on engaging Latinx families in Oregon and SW Washington.
o surveys
o community listening session (35 people)
o focus group (9 people)
11 | Presentation Title
2021 Stormwater Partners Symposium
2021 Stormwater Partners Symposium – November 16 – YouTube
Rebuild Lost Trust
We’ve historically failed these communities, so why should they work with
us now?
• Many overburdened communities have lost trust in the government
• Be prepared for limited response to your outreach efforts
• We are working to build a relationship with these overburdened communities, plan
for change to take a long time
• Avoid tokenization
“Change happens at the speed of trust.â€
12 | Presentation Title
Provide Compensation
Compensation is challenging, however, pathways will likely develop in
future policies
• Currently difficult to gain approval for compensation
• Other cities compensate through grants with a line item for compensation, then use
consultants to distribute funds
Bill 5793 – Effective 6/9/2022
13 | Presentation Title
Concerning stipends for low-income or underrepresented community members of
state boards, commissions, councils, committees, and other similar groups.
Revised for 2nd Substitute: Allowing compensation for lived experience on boards,
commissions, councils, committees, and other similar groups.
-Washington State Legislature
Common
Challenges
14 | Presentation Title
Public Outreach
Connecting can be time-consuming and difficult
• Messages aren’t reaching overburdened communities
o Connecting with these often “invisible†communities is challenging
o There’s no “right way†as each community is different
• Department support for doing what we’ve always done
o This results in no change
• EJ work rarely produces quantitative results
15 | Presentation Title
Gentrification
City projects can displace residents
• A progressive project, such as planting trees and adding bike lanes can create
rampant gentrification
• City projects can drive up property values and displace low-income residents
o Communities exposed to health hazards may not benefit from a project
• City projects have resulted in disrupted social networks and stress.
Take time to identify who will benefit from changes made to the City early in
project/program development.
16 | Presentation Title
Mapping Tools
17 | Presentation Title
Washington Environmental Health Disparities Map
By the Washington State Department of Health
18 | Presentation Title
EJScreen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
By the Environmental Protection Agency
19 | Presentation Title
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
By the Council on Environmental Quality
20 | Presentation Title
Tree Equity Score
By American Forests
21 | Presentation Title
Advantages and Limitations
What to consider when using mapping tools
Advantages
• Helps us assist the community and
make informed decisions
• Gives us a tool to evaluate programs
geographically
• Will help us track changes in
disparities over time
• Helps to support grant writing
Limitations
• Screening tools do not, by
themselves, determine the existence
of EJ issues
• Map does not reflect community
experiences and should not be used
to replace engagement
22 | Presentation Title
Using Mapping Tools Correctly
Use maps to support your project’s positive impact
• Identify which issues drive the scores. Issues should be related to your project.
• You should be able to make a case for how your project helps the identified
overburdened community.
23 | Presentation Title
Behavior
Change
Programs
24 | Presentation Title
Behavior Change Programs
Consider barriers when implementing a behavior change program
Common Barriers
• Upfront costs
• Knowledge barriers
• Homeowner barriers
• Paperwork
Incentives are often targeted to those with existing interests and fail to excite a
new audience.
25 | Presentation Title
Behavior Change Example
Challenges during Don’t Drip & Drive
• The Don’t Drip & Drive
campaign provided free leak
inspections
• Offered coupon for $50 off
repair at participating
mechanics
• An organizer shared that
communities of color were
afraid to provide their
information.
26 | Presentation Title
Don't Drip and Drive – Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
Mature Tree
Preservation
27 | Presentation Title
Mature Tree Preservation
Mature trees have a major role in combating health disparities identified in
EJ definition
• Tree canopy improves population health, well-being, and health equity in urban
settings
• Trees enhance air quality, mitigate the urban heat island, aid water management
• Research has linked exposure to green spaces and trees with improved mental
health, reduced stress, reduced loneliness, lower all-cause mortality, and lower
rates of obesity and chronic diseases.
28 | Presentation Title
Percentage of the population living in
poverty
Tree Canopy and Income: Vancouver
Percentage of tree canopy
Percentage of the population living in
poverty
Tree Canopy and Income: Spokane
Percentage of tree canopy
Urban Tree Analysis Report 2020 (spokanecity.org)
Mature Tree Preservation
Tree inequity create a health inequity for overburdened
communities
• Low-income neighborhoods have less tree cover and hotter temperatures
• The Nature Conservancy found that 92 percent of low-income blocks in the US have
less tree cover than high-income blocks.
• The Tree Equity Score map shows neighborhoods with a majority of people of color
have 33% less tree canopy than majority white communities.
For projects in low-income neighborhoods or areas with a majority of people of color,
preserve the trees, especially trees over 12 inches in diameter.
31 | Presentation Title
Applying EJ to
Your program
32 | Presentation Title
There’s No One Right Way
If you’re trying to reach these communities, you’re making progress!
For every new project and program:
• Identify applicable overburdened
communities
• Meet these communities where they
are
• Involve these communities in a way
that’s meaningful for them
• Involve communities early when
feedback can still shape you
project/program
Don’t forget to reflect
• Take time to reflect on what
communication types were well
received by these communities.
• Share these successes with your
coworkers
33 | Presentation Title
Listen and Learn
Value the input and conversations from overburdened residents
• Start having conversations whenever the opportunity arises.
• If someone reaches out to you, value their time and their lived experiences.
• Practice meaningful engagement.
34 | Presentation Title
Strive to Achieve the
5 EJ Principals
1. Achieve the highest attainable
environmental quality and health
outcomes for all people
2. Adopt a racial justice lens
3. Engage community meaningfully
4. Be transparent
5. Be accountable
35 | Presentation Title
The Environmental Justice Task Force developed
these principles for Washington State
Screenshot from:
Environmental Justice
Task Force:
Recommendations for
Prioritizing EJ in
Washington State
Government
(October 2020)
Applying EJ to Your Program
It’s about people
A component to every
project’s success is
how people feel
Reaching someone
new is always a win
Don’t get caught up in
quantitative results
Set a goal for a percentage of
project spending to go toward
overburdened communities
Choose an attainable goal (30%-
50% of project spending)
Reflect on your spending goal
annually
37 | Presentation Title
Your projects can make a difference
We’re going to get better!
The EJ world is gaining traction, more guidance is incoming
38 | Presentation Title
• HEAL Act aims to develop strategies and community engagement plans
• Channels for providing a voice for disproportionately affected communities are
developing
• We have agency support and state support
• We are striving for a healthier environment!
Celebrate Your Wins!
This work is hard!
39 | Presentation Title
Thank You!
[email protected] | (360) 608-7645
40 | Presentation Title
