TagEnvironmental Justice(63)

A peer-reviewed study by researchers from Tufts, UCLA, USC, and the University of Washington found that mothers living near airports and exposed to ultrafine particles from jet exhaust face elevated rates of preterm birth. The research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2020, is particularly relevant to communities near large airports like Sea-Tac, where millions of residents live within the impact zone of aircraft emissions. The findings carry significant environmental justice implications, as near-airport communities with high pollution exposure are often among the most vulnerable populations.

Washington House Bill 2688, introduced in the 2020 legislative session, proposes updating the state's transportation policy goals to prioritize accessibility, environmental justice, public health, and climate by replacing older goals focused primarily on economic vitality and mobility. The bill would require transportation projects to undergo a multi-agency evaluation—including input from vulnerable and impacted communities—before receiving budget authorization. Projects that do not meet a minimum score based on the new policy goals would generally be excluded from funding.

These two letters from 2019 address community concerns about noise and environmental impacts from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). The EPA's Region 10 Regional Administrator responds to a Burien resident, explaining the agency's limited role in the NEPA review process and directing her to engage with the FAA regarding the Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) Environmental Assessment. Separately, the Port of Seattle's Executive Director responds to Burien's mayor, acknowledging community concerns about aircraft noise and emphasizing the Port's commitment to collaboration through forums such as the Sea-Tac Stakeholder Advisory Round Table (StART).

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.

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.