FIRST OF THREE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE WORKSHOPS
(Los Angeles, California – July 21, 2003) The first of three Environmental Justice Workshops scheduled to inform minority and low-income communities directly affected by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) about the impacts and benefits of the airport's proposed Master Plan will be held Wednesday, July 23, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Jesse Owens Park Gymnasium, 9551 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles.
Environmental Justice focuses on providing minority and low-income communities a level playing field to prevent or mitigate environmental impacts associated with public works projects from unfairly burdening them. In 1994, Presidential Executive Order 12898 was enacted requiring all federal agencies to make Environmental Justice a priority. In 1999, California Senate Bill 115 was signed making Environmental Justice part of California law.
Environmental Justice has three fundamental principles:
1. To minimize or avoid adverse health, environmental, social and economic effects on minority and/or low-income communities.
2. To ensure that minority and/or low-income communities benefit from publicly funded projects affecting them.
3. To ensure full participation of all affected communities in the project decision-making process.
In June 2000, Los Angeles World Airport's (LAWA's) Executive Director established an Environmental Justice Task Force to assist LAWA to adequately respond to the Environmental
Justice issues that exist in the project-impacted minority and low-income communities. A priority that the Task Force recognized was the coordination with the public and conducting Environmental Justice workshops. In 2001, representatives from the U.S. General Accounting Office visited LAWA's Environmental Justice workshops and noted that the LAWA program was a positive example for other airports nationwide.
For three hours, affected residents and other interested parties may visit exhibits and speak with experts about the impacts of the proposed LAX Master Plan. LAWA experts will be available to discuss topics including Environmental Justice and potential Master Plan impacts such as air quality, aircraft noise and ground transportation, as well as the economic and social benefits of LAX modernization.
According to Jim Ritchie, LAWA Deputy Executive Director for Long-Range Planning and Environmental Management, "These workshops are part of LAWA’s ongoing
efforts to work with neighboring communities to address the impacts of operations at airport facilities.” He added, "LAWA wants to ensure that impacted communities share in the economic and social benefits associated with airport projects and we encourage residents to provide input on ways this modernization program may benefit their communities."
Multiple methods, such as media advisories, public service announcements, paid advertising and door-to-door canvassing, are being used to publicly notify residents, elected officials, community leaders, and members of the media, of the workshops in their communities.
The next Environmental Justice workshop will be held between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, at the Lennox Middle School cafeteria, 11033 Buford Avenue, Lennox.
(NSC - 7/21/03)
