What is Environmental Justice?

The State of California defines Environmental Justice as the “fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes, and national origins with respect to the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies,” California Government Code section 65040.12(e).

This goal will be achieved when everyone has the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards, and equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy environment to live, learn, and work.

Environmental Justice Element in the General Plan

In September 2016, Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000) was adopted requiring jurisdictions with disadvantaged communities to incorporate environmental justice policies into their general plans. State law requires environmental justice policies to be incorporated into the general plan upon the adoption or the next revision of two or more general elements. The City of Garden Grove updated both the Housing Element and the Safety Element, which also required the City to include environmental justice policies in the general plan.

The City of Garden Grove adopted a new Environmental Justice Element that addresses the following environmental justice goals, policies, and objectives as required by State law:

  • Reduction of pollution exposure and improving air quality
  • Promoting access to public facilities
  • Promoting access to healthy foods
  • Promoting safe and sanitary homes
  • Promoting physical activity
  • Promoting civic engagement

Disadvantaged Communities in Garden Grove

Garden Grove has nine (9) census tracts identified as disadvantaged communities. These communities are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and other hazards that can lead to negative public health effects, exposure, or environmental degradation. These communities also have concentrations of people that experience low income, high unemployment, low levels of homeownership, high-rent burden and/or low levels of educational attainment.

The map below identifies the disadvantaged communities in the city as identified by CalEnviroScreen 3.0.

To view the CalEnviroScreen 3.0 Interactive Map and explore the risk factors involved please click here.

To view the disadvantaged community map click here.