In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the implementation of the Environmental Justice (EJ) Element, a critical component of California's Senate Bill 1000 (SB 1000), which mandates that local jurisdictions incorporate environmental justice policies into their general plans. This initiative aims to address the needs of disadvantaged communities across California, focusing on six key areas: pollution reduction, access to public facilities, food access, safe housing, physical activity, and civic engagement.

The planning department has collaborated with the public health department and community stakeholders to develop a draft EJ element that emphasizes equity, accountability, and community participation. This draft is set to replace the previously adopted Ashland and Cherryland Community Health and Wellness Element from 2015. The priority communities identified in the draft include Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward Acres, and several census tracts in Castro Valley and San Lorenzo, all of which meet the disadvantaged criteria outlined in SB 1000.

Outreach efforts for the EJ element began in 2021, involving extensive community engagement through public meetings and workshops. Feedback from these sessions led to significant revisions of the draft, with the latest version presented for approval in January 2024. The EJ element outlines seven goals, 45 policies, and 162 actions aimed at fostering health, social equity, and environmental justice within the identified communities.

Key actions include developing a health equity strategy, an urban greening master plan, and enhancing data collection on health and demographics. The draft also emphasizes the importance of ongoing community involvement in the implementation process, proposing the establishment of a technical advisory committee to facilitate this engagement.

During the meeting, public comments highlighted both support for the EJ element and concerns regarding specific actions, particularly those related to the Hayward Executive Airport. The airport's manager expressed the need for clarity on proposed actions that could impact the facility, while community members voiced their appreciation for the county's efforts to improve living conditions in disadvantaged areas.

The board is expected to vote on the adoption of the EJ element, which aims to ensure that land use policies support equitable community development and address the pressing challenges faced by residents in these priority communities.