Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice, as required by SB 1000, provides related goals, policies, and objectives that identify “disadvantaged communities” within the area covered by the General Plan.

The environmental justice goals, policies, and objectives will:

(1) Identify objectives and policies to reduce the unique or compounded health risks in disadvantaged communities by means that The City is initiating a focused amendment to the Newport Beach General Plan. Environmental Justice policies include, but are not limited to, the reduction of pollution exposure, including the improvement of air quality, and the promotion of public facilities, food access, safe and sanitary homes, and physical activity;

(2) Identify objectives and policies to promote civil engagement in the public decision-making process, and

(3) Identify objectives and policies that prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.

Disadvantaged Communities and CalEnviroScreen 3.0

Disadvantaged communities are defined as the top 25% scoring areas from CalEPA's CalEnviroScreen 3.0 tool along with other areas with high amounts of pollution and low populations. CalEnviroScreen 3.0 is a screening tool used to help identify communities disproportionately burdened by multiple sources of pollution and with population characteristics that make them more sensitive to pollution. To learn more about CalEnviroScreen and Disadvantaged Communities click here.