ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY GROUP

A.2003 (R. Diaz, et al.)

Summary

This bill would incorporate environmental justice principles into the decision-making process of New York State agencies, establish a permanent Environmental Justice Advisory Group within the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and establish an Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council to report on the effectiveness and implementation of New York’s environmental justice policies within these state agencies.

Explanation

Environmental justice refers to the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. 

In 1999, the DEC convened an environmental justice advisory group. This advisory group issued recommendations on developing an environmental justice program in 2002. While the DEC implemented a policy related to environmental justice and permitting in 2003, no action was taken on the group’s other recommendations. This bill would make the advisory group permanent, and reach beyond the DEC to ensure that all agencies whose actions have an environmental impact include environmental justice in their decision-making.

According to the report, Toxic Wastes and Race at 20: 1987-2007 Grassroots Struggles to Dismantle Environmental Racism in the United States, neighborhoods within 1.8 miles of a commercial hazardous waste site in New York are disproportionately low-income communities of color. The report found that in these communities, more than half of residents are people of color and that 20 percent of residents live below the poverty line. On average, in communities that are not also home to a hazardous waste site, people of color make up only 37 percent of the population and 14 percent of residents live below the poverty line. Given these facts, it is essential that New York recognize and eliminate the disproportionate adverse impacts resulting from the state’s environmental policies or projects.

To that end, this bill directs the Environmental Justice Advisory Group to develop a model environmental justice policy for all agencies whose actions may affect the environment. The Advisory Group will also monitor agencies’ compliance with environmental justice policies. Additionally, the bill calls on agencies to adopt environmental justice policies within six months, and also establishes an Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council to coordinate agency activities affected by the bill’s requirements.

Environmental Advocates of New York supports this bill.