Environmental Justice and NEPA in the Transportation Arena

1. Environmental Justice and NEPA in the Transportation Arena Five Pioneering Practices from Recent Projects January 2013

2. Purpose and Agenda • Provide an overview of EJ • Present 5 effective practices supporting EJ analysis from recent projects

3. What is Environmental Justice? • Populations addressed by EJ: • Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander • Low-income • Three principles of US DOT’s EJ strategy: • Avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse effects • Ensure full and fair participation in transportation decision-making • Prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay of benefits

4. Pioneering Practices from Recent Projects • The Cases: • Alston Avenue Project, Durham, North Carolina • Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project, Port of Long Beach, California • North I-25 Project, Denver to Fort Collins Area, Colorado • Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project and Bagley Pedestrian Bridge, Detroit, Michigan • Regional Tolling Analysis for the Long-Range Transportation Plan, Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas • I-70 East Project, Denver Area, Colorado • I-16/I-75 Interchange Project, Macon, Georgia • Newtown Pike Extension Project, Lexington, Kentucky • Business 40 Project, Winston-Salem, North Carolina • SR-520: I-5 to Medina, Seattle Area, Washington

5. Practice #1: Conduct a complete analysis of potential impacts and solutions Project Profile • Study: EA of a 1-mile corridor widening project in Durham, NC in an area with a growing Hispanic/Latino population • Key issue: Potential loss of the Los Primos Supermarket • Outcome: Public outreach combined with site comparison analysis of Los Primos and an alternative location identify impacts to vehicle-less EJ community

6. Practice #1: Conduct a complete analysis of potential impacts and solutions Alternative supermarket location (former Winn-Dixie) Thematic map of vehicle-less households in the Durham project area

7. Practice #2: Use cumulative impact assessment during planning to inform NEPA Project Profile • Study: Cumulative impacts of tolling on a regional basis in a long range plan, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX • Outcome: Results of the regional analysis supplement the cumulative impacts assessment in NEPA

8. Practice #3: Use creativity and innovation when designing mitigation for all impacts Project Profile #1 • Study: EIS for the combination and upgrade of two marine container terminals at the Port of Long Beach, CA • Key issues: Construction noise and cumulative impacts on air quality and health risk • Outcome: Mitigation grant program for cumulative impacts, broad public support

9. Practice #3: Use creativity and innovation when designing mitigation for all impacts Project Profile #2 • Study: EA for an interchange project in Macon, GA in a predominantly Black/African American historic community (Pleasant Hill) • Key issues: Pleasant Hill was bisected by I-75, has declined, and could be impacted again • Outcome: Community-supported Community Mitigation Plan addresses direct and cumulative impacts

10. Practice #3: Use creativity and innovation when designing mitigation for all impacts Project Profile #3 • Study: EIS for the extension of a major artery in the Lexington, Kentucky area • Key issue: Anticipated indirect impacts of increased land value and redevelopment pressures could force out residents of one of the oldest Black/African American communities in the area • Outcome: Community participation leads to a Community Land Trust

11. Practice #4: Look for community improvement opportunities as part of projects Project Profile: • Study: EA for an interstate bridge project that included a pedestrian bridge component in Detroit, MI • Key issues: Mitigating impacts to the largely Hispanic/Latino Mexicantown from original interstate construction • Outcome: Bagley Pedestrian Bridge and associated enhancement projects mitigate past impacts and bring the Mexicantown community together

12. Practice #5: Go out to the public and use their input to inform every aspect of the EJ analysis • Enhanced public involvement informs all aspects of EJ analysis • Compiled practical and innovative techniques featured in the I-70 East (Colorado) and Business 40 (North Carolina) cases: • Use a “micro to macro” outreach strategy • Educate communities about EJ and the environmental process • Educate staff about EJ and the community • Maintain a consistent face for the project

13. Practice #5: Go out to the public and use their input to inform every aspect of the EJ analysis • Build trust through a consistent message • Use a high-touch/low-touch approach • Conduct meetings for maximum participation • Establish a community-outreach process feedback loop

14. Conclusions • What the practices confirm: • There is no uniform approach to addressing EJ in NEPA • The depth and breadth of analysis is context-specific • Meaningful participation of EJ populations is always essential • Visit FHWA’s EJ Website for further information (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_justice/)