wichita initiative to renew the...

Welcome!

Wichita Initiative to Renew the Environment (WIRE)

Environmental Leadership Council (ELC)

First Meeting

July 13, 2009

Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency

Tonight’s Agenda

• Introduction to CARE & WIRE

• What we have done & where we are going

• Roles and responsibilities of the ELC

Introductions

• EPA, KUSM-W, DT, ELC

• Name

• Affiliation

• Why wanted to be part of the WIRE project

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Program Officers

EPA Program Officers

Monica Espinosa Program Officer

US EPA, Region 7

Kathleen FentonCARE Program Manager

US EPA, Region 7

University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita (KUSM-W)

Faculty and Staff

KUSM-W Faculty and Staff

• Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, Principal Investigator

• Jack Brown, MUA, RS, Project Director

• Emily Grant, Project Assistant

WIRE Faculty & Staff

Jack Brown, MUA, RSProject Director

Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPHPrincipal Investigator

Emily Grant, MAResearch Assistant

Design Team(DT)

Design Team

Design Team

• Dave Barber, City of Wichita, Metropolitan Area Planning Department

• Terry Behrendt, Wichita State University, College of Education

• Kathy Dittmer, Community Organizer, Wichita Independent Neighborhoods, Riverside Citizen Association

• Kay Johnson/Rebecca Lewis, Wichita Environmental Services

• Tom Kneil, Southwind Sierra Club• Dan Rogers, Textron Cessna, Environmental Resources• Antione Sherfield, City of Wichita, City Manager’s Office• Don Snethen, Retired from Kansas Department of Health

and Environment, Watershed Management Section

Design Team

THANK YOU!!!

Environmental Leadership Council

(ELC)

ELC Members• Angie Allen• Marysol Alvidrez• James Arbertha• Kimberly Austin• Dublin Browne• Barry Carroll• Allen Clouse• Paul Davis• Alan D'Souza• Sharon Fearey• Roderick Harris• Graham Hatfield

• David Hefflefinger• Hoyt Hillman• Allison Lemons• Roger Lyon• Brian Meier• Brian Miller• Joseph Mitchell• Eva Moore• Ray "Grizzly“ Racobs• Christina Stephens• Benjamin Stiff• Patty Stuever• Jeff Waller

Stand If You:

• Done this kind of work (community organizing, education, environmental) before

• Drink more water than anything else• Are a good writer• Know how to juggle• Have memorized at least one funny joke• Are a vegetarian• Are good at speaking in front of a crowd• Bike or walk to work• Are good with graphics• Want to make Wichita a healthier and safer community

Orientation ToCARE

&WIRE

Community Action toRenew the Environment

(CARE)

Community Action to Renew the Environment (CARE)

• CARE is a competitive national grant program that offers communities an innovative way to address the risks from multiple sources of toxic pollution in their environment.

• Through CARE, various local organizations (e.g. non-profits, businesses, schools, and governments) create partnerships that implement local solutions to reduce releases of toxic pollutants and minimize people’s exposure to them.

• CARE has provided financial assistance by funding cooperative agreements with communities annually since 2005.

Goals of the CARE Program• Reduce exposures to toxic pollutants through collaborative

action at the local level.

• Help communities understand all potential sources of exposure to toxic pollutants.

• Work with communities to set priorities for risk-reduction activities.

• Create self-sustaining, community-based partnerships that will continue to improve the local environment.

Why CARE? • Provides an opportunity to reduce levels of toxic pollution.

• Promotes local consensus-based solutions that address risk comprehensively.

• Helps communities to identify and access ways to reduce toxic exposures, especially through a broad range of voluntary programs.

• Builds capacity among local stakeholder groups to understand and address toxics in their environment.

CARE Awards: Levels 1 & 2

Level 2starts here!

Wichita Initiative toRenew the Environment

(WIRE)

The Wichita CARE: WIRE• Wichita Initiative to Renew the Environment (WIRE)

• EPA CARE awarded WIRE on October 1, 2008

• EPA grant of $100,000 to Kansas University School of Medicine-Wichita (Preventive Medicine and Public Health)

Why KUSM-W?

• KUSM-W’s Preventive Medicine and Public Health vision is to promote, “healthier citizens and populations through education, research and service.”

• Community convener around issues of public concern

• Facilitation, building community capacity

• Track record and experience

Why Ablah and Brown?

• Dr. Ablah has a PhD in applied community psychology and a MPH, and has experience developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with businesses, residents, and local governments.

• Mr. Brown served for 16 years as the Environmental Health Director for Sedgwick County and Wichita; in this position he established and administered local environmental programs in water quality, pollution prevention, environmental remediation, food protection, among others.

CARE Levels 1 & 2

• The funding is “Level 1” funding and is for a period of 2 years. The Level 1 funding will conclude in 2010.

• We intend toapply for “Level 2”funding inMarch 2010.

CARE Levels 1 & 2• Successful completion of the Level 1 project

qualifies (but does not guarantee) KUSM-W for “Level 2” funding.

• “Level 2” funding allows for the community’s prioritized concerns to be addressed (up to $300,000).

37th

55th

Hoover

Woodlawn

WIRE Geographic AreaInner-city Wichita was identified as the “community” for WIRE because:

1. This area contains high level of toxics and environmental pollutants due to two major groundwater contamination sites: the Gilbert and Mosley and the North Industrial Corridor groundwater contamination super-fund sites.

2. This area is a predominately low to middle income area of the city established prior to 1970 and is home to most of the minority population of Wichita.

3. Those who live in the inner-city corridor have few chances both to feel their voice matters and to feel they can make a difference in policy change to affect health outcomes.

4. Nearly all well-organized neighborhood associations are within this central core area.

CARE by Neighborhood Associations

CARE by City Council Districts

Purpose of WIRE

Create and sustain collaborative partnerships dedicated to understanding, informing the community about, and prioritizing toxic risks and environmental pollutant impacts in the inner city Wichita community.

Goals of CARE (and WIRE)

• Reduce exposures to toxic pollutants through collaborative action at the local level.

• Help communities understand all potential sources of exposure to toxic pollutants.

• Work with communities to set priorities for risk-reduction activities.

• Create self-sustaining, community-based partnerships that will continue to improve the local environment.

WIRE Goals1. Identify community concerns via discussion groups

2. Acquire environmental data, as needed

3. Educate community-at-large about environmental concerns

4. Identify community-prioritized issues want to address; can specifically consider issues that can be addressed in “Level 2”

Discussion Groups

50 Discussion GroupsMore than 1250 Participants

Discussion Groups Results

CategoriesSo Far…

Environmental RisksWhat Risk

How Affected (including health)

Solution (including environmental education and resources available)

Air quality, greenhouse gasses, climate change; mobile, area, and point sources; coal plants; diesel idling; chemicals business (aircraft industry, dry cleaners); inefficient solid waste collection

Asthma, other respitory diseases; cancers; social and economic health

Mass transit (trains, busses, ride share), stop bus idling; compliance with ozone standard; traffic light signalization/coordination; urban greenscape (plant more trees); ethanol-based fuels; fusion;

Blight, abandoned cars, healthy homes, lead paint, radon, indoor air quality; second-hand smoke; asbestos; graffiti

Economic health; cancer for radon; learning disabilities for lead

change building codes to be more environmentally friendly; lead and asbsestos abatement

Solid and electronic waste management; dumping, littering, fluorescent light bulb disposal; landfills; inefficient solid waste collection

Run-off into surface water and leaching into groundwater, impacting water resources

Mandatory, conveinent, and affordable recycling (for all recyclable materials), franchised collection of solid waste, innovative, future waste disposal sites and techniques; trash into energy; reduction of non-biodegratable consumer products and hazardous materials; increase reusable bags; increase composting; ban plastic and paper bags; mulch and compost yard waste; e-recycling; reduction and re-use;

Surface water quality and quantity; run-off of urban, agricultural, and industrial fertilizers and chemicals; animal waste run-off; run-off from automotive fluids from running and junk vehicles; using storm drains for disposal; run-off from agricultural and urban animal waste; erosion; disposal of pharmaceuticals; lack of accessibility to river

gastro-intestinal diseases; contaminated aquatic life; fish consumption advisories

Water re-use; best management practices (e.g. water buffers, reduce chemical usage, retension ponds, use cisterns, gardens around home to capture water, urban/suburban gardening/permaculture); change building codes to be more environmentally friendly; water conservation; protection of drinking water supply;

Ark River mostly (also Cheney Lake, Big Ditch) - pollution; image; accessibility to and use of

Negatively impacts recreational uses of river

Environmental RisksGroundwater quality and quantity; contamination from landfills, industrial and agricultural activities

Cancers from pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals

Water re-use; water conservation

Contaminated sites (e.g. 21st Sreet Corridor/NIC; Gilbert & Mosley)

Cancers from pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals

Remediation and clean-up

Land use; Urban sprawl; flooding run-off; loss of greenspace; loss of biodiversity in wildlife and habitats; poor planning

Economic health; impact respiratory and air quality (loss of wetlands and increased mobile sources)

Protect argicultural lands, wetlands, and natural resources; land conservation; rebuild areas in town rather than building outside

Hazardous waste management; mercury, batteries, solvents disposal

Economic impact; exposure to carcinogenic materials

Recycle hazardous waste; proper hazardous waste transportation, storage, and disposal; household hazardous waste program; protect and preserve sensitive habitats; reduction and re-use

Dependence on non-renewable energy sources

Air quality; changes in weather patterns; warming temperatures prompt emerging diseases; vectors of disease propogate in larger numbers

Solar, alternative energy, energy conservation; bike paths, walkability of community (including sidewalks), mass transit (trains, busses, ride share), stop bus idling; wind energy; net metering; allow tax credits for alternative fuels, wind power and solar energy; change building codes to be more environmentally friendly; urban greenscape (plant more trees); community gardens; reduce energy use; ethanol-based fuels; incorporate green-roofs; fusion; create green jobs

WIRE Issue Paper : Air Quality

ScopeAir Quality reduced by the presence of carbon monoxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and lead in the air.

BackgroundAir pollution is one of the greatest known environmental risks to human health. According to the EPA, the list of health problems brought on or exacerbated by one or another airborne pollutant includes: •lung diseases, such as chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema •cancer, particularly lung cancer •bronchial asthma•allergic reactions such as eye, nose, and throat irritation

StandardWichita currently monitors air quality on a daily basis at 6 locations in the city. Air quality standards have been

made by the EPAs Clean Air Act and the National Ambient Air Quality standards.

Community-Specific IndicatorsWhat does the data say? Wichita is currently in compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality standards.

In the last twenty years there have been no air quality violations. Recently, the levels of air pollutants are higher than in previous years but are still in compliance with national standards.

Who is affected? Everyone in the community is affected by pollutants in the air we breathe. Those who are most vulnerable are young children and older adults. Persons with asthma, allergies, emphysema, and other respiratory problems are more at risk than the general population. Poor indoor air quality may pose a risk to the health of over half of the world’s population

(cont’d)

WIRE Issue Paper : Air Quality

How are we affected? According to the American Lung Association, the annual health costs of human exposure to all outdoor criteria air pollutants from all sources in the U.S. range from $40 to $50 billion, with an associated 50,000 to 120,000 premature deaths per year. Fine particulates cause the greatest number of airborne pollutant related deaths and illnesses in the U.S. In addition, animal studies have raised concerns that ozone may reduce our ability to fight respiratory infection and that frequent exposure may cause permanent lung damage.

What are the environmental conditions? Even relatively low concentrations of air pollutants have been related to a range of adverse health effects. In homes where biomass fuels and coal are used for cooking and heating, particulate matter levels may be 10–50 times higher than the guideline values. Ozone and particulate matter pose the highest risks to human health. Ozone exposure is associated with reduced lung function, damaged lining of the lungs and aggravated asthma. Particulate matter exposure is associated with chronic bronchitis, respiratory infections, heart attacks and arrhythmias.

What are the contributing factors and behaviors of the community? The pollutants present in urban air come from many sources. The major contributors are:

Mobile sources (automobiles, trucks, buses, and trains), Area sources (smaller sources such as boilers, dry cleaners and citizen activities), Stationary (industrial), Natural sources (background) are also contributors.

How do we protect ourselves? Exposure to air pollutants is largely beyond the control of individuals and requires action by public authorities at the national, regional and even international levels. On the individual level a person can work to conserve energy, use more public transportation, bicycle or walk instead of using a vehicle, don’t let cars idle, properly maintain their vehicle, dispose of paint and household chemicals properly, reduce wood burnt in fireplaces or stoves. Individuals can stay inside to avoid contact with harmful air conditions.

Timeline

Timeline Identify community concerns via discussion groups

Acquire environmental data; yet can always get more for the ELC!

Educate community-at-large about environmental concerns Prior to prioritization process

After prioritization process, feedback, honor communicate participation

Identify community-prioritized issues; consider issues that can be addressed in “Level 2” To be completed prior to Level 2 application; guidance will be

available in January or February; proposal will be due in March 2010

Questions?

Break before we talk about ELC roles and responsibilities?

Welcome back!

Roles & Responsibilities of theEnvironmental Leadership Council

(ELC)

Benefits of Being an ELC Member

• Being part of a national initiative

• Assisting in the creation of long-lasting positive change for Wichita

• Utilizing and developing leadership skills –facilitation, planning an agenda, strategic planning, capacity and team building

Environmental Leadership Council (ELC)

• Nominated as leaders within neighborhoods and the community to be their eyes and ears.

• Represent diverse interests and groups (non-profits, business, government, education, neighborhood associations, and environmental advocates)

• Allows for program sustainability

Long Term Goals of the ELC

• Serve as a voice and facilitate action within the community.

• The long-term goal of the WIRE program is to build local capacity and focus on building a healthier Wichita.

• Serve as an independent, sustainable entity.

Intermediate Goals

• ELC acts as a community educator.

• Through the decision making process, the ELC will make decisions about ranking and prioritizing process within the community.

• ELC strengths Wichita environmental collaborative.

Short Term Goals

• Attend meetings

• Complete committee work

• Work between meetings

Next Steps

Administrative Components of ELC

• Decision-making process in ELC; how to address disagreements (handout)

• Ground Rules or Code of Conduct (handout)

• Length of term; how to fill vacancies

• Infrastructure of ELC; subcommittees

• How frequently will meet?

• Contact information- correct, send to group?

Next ELC Meeting

• Location – KUSM-W?

• Potential dates

• Monday, July 27?

• Thursday, July 30?

• Thursday, August 6?

• Time – 5:30 pm?

• Can provide dinner

Items for Next ELC Meeting

• How the ELC will be organized, subcommittees

• Selection of the ELC Chair

• Keep solid waste an issue at City Council– Kay Johnson & City Manager– Council meeting (individuals & associated groups) on August 11

– PPT – see what has been proposed

– Letter, e-mail, phone calls

– Need to see solid waste data

– Invite Joe Pajor to next ELC meeting – data and ideas for next steps (get information and perhaps to be able to get information to the community)

“Work” Before Next Meeting• Review decision-making process materials

• Review code of conduct

• Consider length of term, how to fill vacancies

• Consider what leadership/skill building activities you would like to have

• Consider subcommittee structure by function (public speaking, writing, funding), issue (air, land, water) or something else?

• Category development – what categories & issues missing? How reorganize?

• Solid waste issue- ?

• Else?

Thank You!

• CARE and WIRE are enthusiastic to have you here!

• You know your community better than anyone!

Questions?

Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH

University of KS School of Medicine-Wichita

Preventive Medicine and Public Health

1010 N. Kansas

Wichita, KS 67214

Phone 293-2627

http://wichita.kumc.edu/care/

Recycle

• Please recycle your water bottles outside the Sunflower Room.

• Please place your table tent on the side table – we will keep them for the next meeting.

wichita initiative to renew the...

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