Environmental Justice Element of the General Plan

a collection of photos taken outside around alameda county.

About

What is Environmental Justice (EJ)?

Environmental Justice is "the basic right of people to live, work, go to school, and pray in a healthy and clean environment-regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, culture, ability, nationality, or income.
- California Environmental Justice Alliance

Background

In 2016, the State of California passed Senate Bill 1000 (Levya) (SB 1000), requiring all California cities and counties with "disadvantaged communities" to include environmental justice policies in their general plans. In compliance with SB 1000, the Board of Supervisors adopted the Environmental Justice (EJ) Element as a new chapter of the Alameda County General Plan on August 8, 2024. The EJ Element updates and replaces the Community Health and Wellness Element for Ashland and Cherryland (CHWE), which was adopted by the Board of Supervisors as an optional general plan element in 2015. For background information about environmental justice, SB 1000 and the State requirements for preparation of an EJ Element, please see the guidance published by the State Office of Planning & Research.

The CDA Planning Department prepared the EJ Element between 2021 and 2024 in collaboration with the ACH Public Health Department, unincorporated-area residents, community-based organizations, and other key partners. Consistent with state law, the EJ Element focuses unincorporated Alameda County communities that meet the state's definition of "disadvantaged" -- the "EJ Priority Communities" of Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward Acres, San Lorenzo, and five census tracts in southern and western Castro Valley. The Element outlines policies and programs that address Priority Community needs and seek to improve conditions related to pollution and air quality, public facility access, food access, health and physical activity, safe and sanitary homes, civic engagement, and other key health and wellness topics.