Environmental Justice, Outreach & the Water Boards: WQCC 2014 Update

1. Environmental Justice, Outreach & the Water Boards:WQCC 2014 Update October 3, 2014 Gita Kapahi Office of Public Participation

2. California Statutory Definition of Environmental Justice “Environmental Justice means the fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, adoption, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.” Gov. Code §65040.12 (e), 1999

3. What is an EJ Community? US EPA considers “environmental justice communities” as “a minority or low-income community that bears disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects.” Federal Executive Order 12898, 1994

4. What is a DAC? The State of California defines a disadvantaged community (DAC) as a community in which the Medium Household Income (MHI) is less than 80% of the statewide MHI. Health & Safety Code, Sections 116270 A severely DAC is a community with an annual median household income (MHI) that is less than 60% of the statewide MHI. Health & Safety Code, Sections 116760.20

5. 2013 WQCC Recap More “Gita’s”: Cloning is not possible! Worked on a BCP to add positions: Unfortunately it was unsuccessful Established an Outreach Roundtable with all regions, divisions and offices represented Developing a training module on EJ with the Training Academy

6. 2013 WQCC Recap, cont’d Updates to CalEnviroscreen (new version 2.0) Increased our collaborative efforts with community groups Established focused outreach efforts on many of the statewide plans and policies with great results Screened films such as Thirsty for Justice and Living in the Rain Shadow Continued work on implementing the Human Right to Water Law (AB685)

7. EJ Legislation • AB 1249 IRWMP: nitrate, arsenic, perchlorate or hexavalent chromium contamination • Intended to help provide safe DW to small DACs by prioritizing IRWMPs that address contaminants found in GW used as a DW source • AB 1476: Authorizes SWRCB to allocate $500K to Greater Monterey Co for development of an integrated plan to address DW and wastewater needs of DACs in Salinas Valley • SB 1292: Safe DW SRF allows SWRCB to provide grants up to $5mill for Safe DW SRF to public water systems serving severely DACs for construction of safe DW treatment systems

8. CalEPA Policy for Working With California Indian Tribes This policy provides a framework for CalEPAand its BDOs to improve and maintain communication and collaboration between CalEPA, its BDOs, and California Indian Tribes to further the mission of CalEPA. This policy also provides a commitment to educate appropriate staff, to become informed about the cultural setting of California Indians, their environmental issues and tribal histories, for the purpose of improving Cal/EPA’s understanding of and connection to California Indian Tribes. http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Tribal/Documents/CIT01Policy.pdf

9. CalEnviroScreen Version 2.0 www.oehha.ca.gov/ej/ces2 • Broad picture of the relative burdens California communities face from environmental pollution • 19 indicators of environmental, health, and socioeconomic conditions • Census tract scale • Guidance on potential uses

10. Indicators Used 10

11. EJ Inventory Update

12. 2014 EJ Inventory Findings Trends: Most Organizations Have • Demonstrated increased involvement with EJ communities and DACs. • Made efforts to try new approaches to effectively reach DACs. • Have recognized the importance of public outreach and education skills and identified staff who possess them. • Have identified significant opportunities for partnership and collaboration with DACs and laid the groundwork for these efforts.

13. 2014 EJ Inventory Findings What Has Worked Well Bringing meetings and discussions to EJ communities. Making meetings available through conference calls and webinars. Direct communication between Water Board staff and EJ/DAC representatives on technical reports prepared by dischargers. On-going communication and outreach

14. 2014 EJ Inventory Findings What Has Worked Well, cont’d Providing direct technical assistance to DACs. Developing partnerships with community advocacy groups. Disproportionately large segments of DACs and small DACs are mistrustful of government agencies, so working through intermediaries is helpful until a level of trust is established.

15. 2014 EJ Inventory Findings EJ/Tribal Communities R1: Klamath River Tribes, Laguna de Santa Rosa Tribes Note R2: No update provided R3: California Rural Legal Assistance, EJ Coalition for Water, Rural Community Assistance Corporation R4: City of Lynwood, Athens Tank Farm/Ujima Village Apartments R5: Clean Water Action, California Rural Legal Assistance, Center for Race, Poverty and the Environment, Rose Foundation, Community Water Center, Greenaction, El Pueblo Para el Aire y El Agua, CBOs representing Lao, Filipino, Latino, Vietnamese & Slavic Groups

16. 2014 EJ Inventory Findings EJ/Tribal Communities R6: Bishop Paiute Tribe, Hinkley Community, Mojave River Valley, Susanville CSD R7: Eastern Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley Farmworker & Low Income Mobile Home Park Communities. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians R8: City of Perris, Communities at Middle Santa Ana River, Rialto Perchlorate Plume, South Archibald TCE Plume R9: Environmental Health Coalition, Lakeside River Park Conservancy, Imperial Beach

17. Resources Needed • Increased funding for language translation services • Support to make water quality data more accessible to EJ communities • Specialized training on use of Enviroscreen and other tools and resources • More consultation with Cal/EPA and State Board Public Participation Specialists

18. Resources Needed, cont’d • More in-house staff with public participation skills • More assistance in identifying and contacting EJ groups and communities • Contracts with 3rd parties to serve DACs better • Staff training re: EJ, including sharing information on how Boards’ programs are addressing EJ issues

19. Next Steps Update the Water Board EJ Inventory as needed Provide education & training for Water Board staff Strengthen overall coordination with EJ & Tribal Communities Continue cross-media coordination and accountability in partnership with other CalEPA sister BDOs and other agencies

20. Next Steps, cont’d • Consider Preparing an EJ Work or Implementation Plan • Continue the Dialogue to Incorporate EJ Principles into Water Board Plans and Policies • Revisit EJ at Future MCC & WQCC Meetings

21. Thank You Environmental Justice, Outreach & the Water Boards:WQCC 2014 Update Gita Kapahi Office of Public Participation