District 3 Transportation Planning and Local Assistance works to incorporate Environmental Justice considerations into the transportation planning process, through an inclusive, cooperative and timely approach. The intent is fourfold: 1) to identify and engage communities, particularly minority and low-income, early in the planning process to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts of transportation plans, programs, and activities on communities, 2) to factor in equity in transportation investment decisions, 3) to develop techniques to ensure maximum efficient public involvement, and 4) provide for and promote public input and involvement from traditionally underrepresented groups (minority and low-income).

Environmental Justice Activities in District 3

Environmental Justice Safe Routes to School in Sacramento - Caltrans awarded an Envrionmental Justice Grant of $112,934 in 2004 on behalf of the Local Government Commission to SACOG. The grant will be used by the Local Government Commission in partnership with WalkSacrament to engage students, parents, teachers and community leaders in neighborhood planniing activities to develop plans for traffic calming and safety improvements in school zones and their surrounding neighborhoods. SACOG will provide technical assistance and contract administration.

The project will focus on A.M. Winn Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Bannon Creek Elementary and Natomas Park Elementary. Three are located in the Sacramento City Unified School District, and three in the Natomas Unified School District. When finished, it will serve as a model for other communities looking for ways to increase mobility options near school. Benefits are expected to extend beyond the student population by enhancing mobility choices and safety for all residents.

Sacramento Transportation and Air Quality Collaborative - Caltrans is one of the member jurisdictions for a county-wide transportation and air quality collaborative effort. A transportation agreement is to be negotiated amoung the 70+ stakeholders who represent government, business, local communities, environmental groups, and community interest groups. Among the Community Interest Group, representatives of the African American, Latino, Asian Pacific Islander, Disability, Youth, Senior, and Paratransit communities are participating in a process that will result in a county-wide agreement that meets the underlying interests of all the participants. Following a year-long education process that built relationships between the participants, the group will form smaller negotiating teams that will tackle the issue facting the county and its transportation future. In addition to providing a stakeholder representative, Caltrans is also providing staff supprt for the collaborative effort. The tentative completion date for this process is 2007.

Staff Contact: Jeff Pulverman 916-274-0646

Additional information about Environmental Justice: Headquarters Office of Policy Analysis & Research/Title VI and Environmental Justice