CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT UPDATE

Spanish Version

Overview

The City of Huntington Park is working on its first Environmental Justice Element. According to the State of California, the Environmental Justice is defined 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 environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

The Environmental Justice Element is included as part of the City’s General Plan and it will reflect the City’s commitment to reducing environmental burdens and ensuring all residents have the opportunity to access public facilities and services that improve their quality of life.

Why is an Environmental Justice Element Necessary?

In California, state law requires every local jurisdiction to prepare and adopt a comprehensive and long‐range general plan to guide its growth and physical development. The General Plan provides a consistent framework for land use and development decisions in accordance with an established community vision. In 2016, the State of California passed Senate Bill 1000 - the Planning for Healthy Communities Act requiring cities and counties to address environmental justice within their general plans.

What will be included in the City's Environmental Justice Element?

It will include objectives and policies that have as a goal:

a) Improve access to public facilities (e.g., libraries, parks, sidewalks, trails, transit, community centers, potable water, flood control)

b) Prioritize improvements and programs to address the needs of disadvantaged communities

c) Reduce pollution exposure

d) Promote food access and physical activity

e) Promote safe and sanitary housing

f) Promote civic engagement

In general, when we talk about “Disadvantaged communities” we refer to those areas that are disproportionately impacted by, or vulnerable to, environmental pollution. The City will use the available tools and resources to identify those disadvantaged communities. The goal is to conduct a preliminary assessment of the City’s disadvantaged communities in order to better understand the drivers of inequality.

Public Engagement

Community participation is a critical component in the development of the City’s Environmental Justice Element. The City will provide multiple opportunities for the public to participate throughout the development of the element.

During the development of the Environmental Justice Element, the City will host the first two workshops to inform and support the Environmental Justice Element planning process.

 First Workshop - Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 5:30 pm

 Location: Salt Lake Park, 3401 E Florence Avenue, Huntington Park, CA 90255

 Second Workshop - Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 5:30 pm

 Location: Freedom Park, 3801 E 61st St, Huntington Park, CA 90255

Contact Information

   For more information or to request informational materials or submit comments on draft documents as they become available     please contact:

• Steve Forster, Director of Community Development, City of Huntington Park

• Email: sforster@hpca.gov

• Phone: (323) 584-6318

or

• Sergio Infanzon, Director of Communications and Community Relations

• Email: sinfanzon@hpca.gov

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