PACT Meeting #7

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PRESENTATION

PACT Meeting #7

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PRESENTATION

January 13, 2011

Presentation Topics

� Introduction to Environmental Justice

� Project Specific Background

� Impacts by Alternative

� Benefits/Mitigation

Introduction

� Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, culture, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws and policies.

EPA, Office of Inspector General, Evaluation Report No 2004-P-00007; March 1, 2004

Project Background and Methodology

Environmental Justice

Percentage of Minority Communities for Block Groups in the study area.

Environmental Justice

Percentage of Low-Income Communities for Block Groups in the study area.

Public Involvement Efforts

The public involvement process has been multi-faceted and comprehensive to encompass the diversity of communities and organizations involved.

Public Involvement Efforts

� Tools used to solicit input and involvement from stakeholders that addressed issues of diversity in language, level of literacy, and exposure to media include:� Opening project office within project area.

� All public meetings conveniently located within project area and accessible by public transportation.

� Providing childcare, food, and translations at every corridor-wide meeting.

� Providing notifications and advertisements in English and Spanish.

Public Involvement Efforts

� Announcements in local and regional media and at faith-based organizations.

� Using local businesses to cater meetings, provide translations.

� Employing project area residents to lead and staff outreach effort.

� Distributing flyers door-to-door to area residence and businesses.

� Providing several methods of contact with the project team including e-mail, telephone, website, postal mail, and walk-ins.

Impacts to Low Income and Minority Communities

Impacts

� Low-income and minority populations would be affected by all project alternatives for the following resources:

� Social and Economic Conditions

� Residential and Business Acquisitions

� Air Quality

� Noise

� Construction

Impacts by Alternative

Current Alignment North

�93 residential acquisitions

�45 commercial acquisitions, including community markets and stores

�Swansea Elementary School

�Denver Rescue Mission

Current Alignment North

Current Alignment South

�64 residential acquisitions

�42 commercial acquisitions, including community markets and stores

�Proximity impacts to Dunham Park

�Purina

Current Alignment South

Realignment East

�Post Office

�Proximity to Elyria Park

�Proximity to Future FASTRACKS station

�53 residential acquisitions

�52 commercial acquisitions, including community markets and stores

Realignment East

Realignment West

�Post Office

�National Western Stock Show

�Proximity to Future FASTRACKS station

�Proximity to Elyria Park

�18 residential acquisitions

�58 commercial acquisitions, including community markets and stores

Realignment West

Realignment

Impacts by Alternative

CurrentAlignment

North

Current Alignment

South

Realignment East

Realignment West

Residential 93 64 53 18

Commercial 45 42 52 58

Post Office � �

Swansea Elementary �

Denver Rescue Mission �

Park proximity Dunham Elyria Elyria

Station proximity � �

National Western �

Purina �

Mitigation

Make Alternatives the best they can be:

� Relocation Benefits � Noise� Safety� Connectivity, Mobility and Access� Neighborhood Quality� Economic � Suggestion List

� Questions?