TagEnvironmental Justice(114)

Washington State's Environmental Justice Task Force, convened by the Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities, was established to recommend strategies for reducing environmental health disparities across the state, with a final report due to the legislature and Governor by October 31, 2020. The Task Force focuses on improving health outcomes for communities most severely impacted by environmental hazards, including low-income populations and communities of color. Its work includes developing guidance on community engagement, measurable health disparity goals, and model policies prioritizing vulnerable populations.

In May 2019, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and the unanimous City Council wrote to University of Washington researchers requesting an expansion of the MOV-UP study measuring ultrafine particle pollution around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The letter calls for three key additions: a baseline measurement site unaffected by air traffic, drone-based vertical air sampling before and after aircraft landings at parks, schools, and social justice impact areas, and the design of a permanent 24/7 ultrafine particle monitoring network. The city also offered to support a Port of Seattle grant application to fund the expanded research and pledged to encourage other affected communities to join the effort.

A Beacon Hill resident submitted scoping comments in September 2018 regarding the Sea-Tac Airport expansion, raising concerns about air quality, airplane emissions, noise impacts on children's health, traffic congestion, and environmental justice for communities of color. The commenter requested studies on health effects for nearby residents, better public outreach to non-English-speaking communities, and neighborhood noise monitoring equipment. She also expressed frustration about cost overruns on existing airport projects and the limited accessibility of the public open house held at New Holly.

The Burien Airport Committee (BAC) held a revised meeting on July 17, 2018, covering updates on Quiet Skies Coalition activities, a Department of Commerce Impact Study budget proviso, and a StART meeting report. Key agenda items included a 30-minute presentation on Environmental Justice issues related to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by representatives from the Washington Department of Ecology and the EPA, as well as a discussion on drafting a City Council resolution addressing airport noise impacts. Future agenda items included a Port of Seattle presentation on the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) and a Department of Public Health briefing on health effects from airport proximity.

The Port of Seattle Commission considered a request to amend a contract with Just Health Action, a local community health nonprofit, to continue a pilot project engaging residents of the Duwamish Valley neighborhoods of South Park and Georgetown. The project, supported by a U.S. EPA Stakeholder Engagement and Capacity Building grant awarded in 2017, focuses on improving the Port's community outreach practices and addressing environmental health concerns in low-income and minority communities near Port operations. The total estimated project cost was $175,000, with the amended contract value reaching $224,999.

This 2018 document outlines community-identified opportunities and concerns from the Duwamish Valley EPA Environmental Justice Pilot Project, focused on improving collaboration between the Port of Seattle and nearby Duwamish Valley residents. It covers goals such as negotiating a Community Benefits Agreement, building community capacity, reducing environmental harms like air pollution and stormwater runoff, and improving green spaces and pedestrian safety. Note: this document addresses Duwamish Valley port and industrial area concerns and does not directly relate to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

In January 2018, EPA project lead Sabrina Johnson notified partners that the Near-port Community Capacity Building Pilot Project deadline was extended from June to September 30, 2018. The extension was granted to better address project partners' concerns and support more durable outcomes, while still encouraging participants to maintain an expeditious pace. Capacity building under this EPA initiative focuses on improving conditions and removing barriers to effective community functioning near port areas.

The Port of Seattle's Sustainability Evaluation Framework outlines six key goals for guiding energy and sustainability decisions: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting public health and the environment, supporting local economic development, advancing race and social justice, leveraging partnerships, and encouraging innovation. Developed by the Energy Production Subcommittee, the framework provides outcomes and evaluation criteria for each goal, supplementing existing financial measures like return on investment. The subcommittee recommends the Port incorporate these considerations into its decision-making when evaluating energy sources and projects.

This academic paper examines how U.S. federal agencies have addressed Environmental Justice (EJ) since President Clinton's 1994 Executive Order 12898, which required agencies to reduce disproportionate pollution burdens on low-income and minority communities. The author, a Bureau of Land Management social scientist, reviews agency compliance efforts, highlights case studies like the Flint water crisis, and argues that practical steps such as staff training and social science tools can help agencies consistently protect vulnerable communities regardless of shifting political priorities.