Environmental Justice and NEPA in the

Transportation ArenaFive Pioneering Practices from Recent Projects

January 2013

Purpose and Agenda

Provide an overview of EJ Present 5 effective practices supporting EJ analysis from

recent projects

What is Environmental Justice?

Populations addressed by EJ: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian, American

Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Low-income Three principles of US DOT’s EJ strategy:

Avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse effects

Ensure full and fair participation in transportation decision-making

Prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay of benefits

Pioneering Practices from Recent Projects

The Cases:1. Alston Avenue Project, Durham, North Carolina 2. Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project, Port of Long Beach, California3. North I-25 Project, Denver to Fort Collins Area, Colorado 4. Ambassador Bridge Gateway Project and Bagley Pedestrian Bridge,

Detroit, Michigan 5. Regional Tolling Analysis for the Long-Range Transportation Plan, Dallas-

Fort Worth, Texas6. I-70 East Project, Denver Area, Colorado 7. I-16/I-75 Interchange Project, Macon, Georgia 8. Newtown Pike Extension Project, Lexington, Kentucky 9. Business 40 Project, Winston-Salem, North Carolina10. SR-520: I-5 to Medina, Seattle Area, Washington

Practice #1: Conduct a complete analysis of potential impacts and solutions

Project Profile Study: EA of a 1-mile corridor widening

project in Durham, NC in an area with a growing Hispanic/Latino population

Key issue: Potential loss of the Los Primos Supermarket

Outcome: Public outreach combined with site comparison analysis of Los Primos and an alternative location identify impacts to vehicle-less EJ community

Thematic map of vehicle-less households in the Durham project area

Practice #1: Conduct a complete analysis of potential impacts and solutions

Alternative supermarket location (former Winn-Dixie)

Practice #2: Use cumulative impact assessment during planning to inform NEPA

Project Profile Study: Cumulative impacts of tolling on a regional basis in a long

range plan, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Outcome: Results of the regional analysis supplement the

cumulative impacts assessment in NEPA

Practice #3: Use creativity and innovation when designing mitigation for all impacts

Project Profile #1 Study: EIS for the combination and

upgrade of two marine container terminals at the Port of Long Beach, CA

Key issues: Construction noise and cumulative impacts on air quality and health risk

Outcome: Mitigation grant program for cumulative impacts, broad public support

Practice #3: Use creativity and innovation when designing mitigation for all impacts

Project Profile #2 Study: EA for an interchange

project in Macon, GA in a predominantly Black/African American historic community (Pleasant Hill)

Key issues: Pleasant Hill was bisected by I-75, has declined, and could be impacted again

Outcome: Community-supported Community Mitigation Plan addresses direct and cumulative impacts

Practice #3: Use creativity and innovation when designing mitigation for all impacts

Project Profile #3 Study: EIS for the extension of a major

artery in the Lexington, Kentucky area Key issue: Anticipated indirect impacts of

increased land value and redevelopment pressures could force out residents of one of the oldest Black/African American communities in the area

Outcome: Community participation leads to a Community Land Trust

Practice #4: Look for community improvement opportunities as part of

projects

Project Profile: Study: EA for an interstate bridge project that

included a pedestrian bridge component in Detroit, MI

Key issues: Mitigating impacts to the largely Hispanic/Latino Mexicantown from original interstate construction

Outcome: Bagley Pedestrian Bridge and associated enhancement projects mitigate past impacts and bring the Mexicantown community together

Practice #5: Go out to the public and use their input to inform every aspect of the EJ analysis

Enhanced public involvement informs all aspects of EJ analysis

Compiled practical and innovative techniques featured in the I-70 East (Colorado) and Business 40 (North Carolina) cases: Use a “micro to macro”

outreach strategy Educate communities about EJ

and the environmental process Educate staff about EJ and the community Maintain a consistent face for the project

Practice #5: Go out to the public and use their input to inform every aspect of the EJ analysis

Build trust through a consistent message Use a high-touch/low-touch approach Conduct meetings for maximum participation Establish a community-outreach

process feedback loop

Conclusions

What the practices confirm: There is no uniform approach to addressing EJ in NEPA The depth and breadth of analysis is context-specific Meaningful participation of EJ populations is always essential

Visit FHWA’s EJ Website for further information (http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/environmental_justice/)