EJ Action Plan

Implementation

EJ Action Plan is currently undergoing Phase 2 implementation

Cal/EPA's Boards, Departments and Office are implementing an EJ Action Plan to:

• Develop guidance on precautionary approaches;
• Develop guidance on cumulative impacts analysis;
• Improve tools for public participation and community capacity building; and
• Ensure EJ considerations within the Governor’s Environmental Action Plan.

These priorities will provide the foundation for Cal/EPA's EJ Program, establishing the framework for integrating key environmental justice concepts into our regulatory functions.

October 2004 EJ Action Plan

We anticipate that the activities in the EJ Action Plan will be accomplished in five phases. The EJ Action Plan is an evolving document that will be updated by Cal/EPA during the course of its implementation, in response to new, significant and relevant information, opportunities, needs, or constraints.

• Cal/EPA EJ Action Plan (October 2004) (.pdf format)
• Octubre 2004 Plan De Acción De Justicia Ambiental (.pdf format)
• Background: October 2004 EJ Action Plan

Pilot Projects

February 16, 2005: The IWG approved all (6) six staff proposed pilot projects with consideration of CEJAC comments to begin implementation of Phase 2 activities. The approved pilot projects are as follows (all documents are in .pdf format):

• ARB project (March 25, 2005) summary
• DPR project (May 18, 2005) summary
• DTSC (Illegal Drug Labs) project (May 18, 2005) summary
• DTSC (West Oakland Forum) project (May 18,2005) summary
• SWRCB (Klamath) project (May 18, 2005) summary
• SWRCB (New River) project (May 18, 2005) summary

October 25, 2005: IWG adopted CEJAC Recommended Goals for Pilot Projects

Cumulative Impacts (CI) & Precautionary Approach (PA) Efforts

Working Definitions for use in pilot projects - February 16, 2005, the IWG used the CEJAC’s recommended working definitions as the basis of their approved pilot project working definitions for cumulative impacts and precautionary approach. The Cal/EPA BDOs have incorporated these approved working definitions into their pilot projects to address the complex concepts of cumulative impacts and precautionary approach. The IWG approved the following working definitions:

• Cumulative impacts means exposures, public health or environmental effects from the combined emissions and discharges, in a geographic area, including environmental pollution from all sources, whether single or multi-media, routinely, accidentally, or otherwise released. Impacts will take into account sensitive populations and socio-economic factors, where applicable and to the extent data are available.
• Precautionary approach means taking anticipatory action to protect public health or the environment if a reasonable threat of serious harm exists based upon the best available science and other relevant information, even if absolute and undisputed scientific evidence is not available to assess the exact nature and extent of risk.

Addressing the Issues of Cumulative Impacts and Precautionary Approach in the EJ Pilot Projects (.pdf format)

Public Participation

In conducting activities in the EJ Action Plan, Cal/EPA and its BDOs will take steps to make decision-making processes more available and responsive to all Californians. In order to achieve this goal, Cal/EPA is working on several public participation elements within the Cal/EPA EJ Action Plan.

• Public Participation Inventory – May 18, 2005 (.pdf format)
• Draft Public Participation Document – February 4, 2005 (.pdf format)

Implementation

• Phase 1 activities
• Phase 2 activities