ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY …

                         ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE POLICY
                           California Resources Agency

Mission Statement of the California Resources Agency
       To restore, protect and manage the state's natural, historical and cultural
resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions
based on science, collaboration and respect for all the communities and interests
involved.

Environmental Justice Definition
       California law defines Environmental Justice as "the fair treatment of people of all
races, cultures and income with respect to the development, adoption, implementation,
and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies" (Government Code
Section 65040.12 and Public Resources Code Section 72000).

Background
        The concept behind the term "environmental justice" is that all people ­
regardless of their race, color, nation or origin or income ­ are able to enjoy equally high
levels of environmental protection. Environmental justice communities are commonly
identified as those where residents are predominantly minorities or low-income; where
residents have been excluded from the environmental policy setting or decision-making
process; where they are subject to a disproportionate impact from one or more
environmental hazards; and where residents experience disparate implementation of
environmental regulations, requirements, practices and activities in their communities.
Environmental justice efforts attempt to address the inequities of environmental
protection in these communities.

Agency Actions
       All Departments, Boards, Commissions, Conservancies and Special Programs of
the Resources Agency must consider environmental justice in their decision-making
process if their actions have an impact on the environment, environmental laws, or
policies. Such actions that require environmental justice consideration may include:

          ·   Adopting regulations
          ·   Enforcing environmental laws or regulations
          ·   Making discretionary decisions or taking actions that affect the
              environment
          ·   Providing funding for activities affecting the environment
          ·   Interacting with the public on environmental issues

Policy
       It is the policy of the Resources Agency that the fair treatment of people of all
races, cultures and income shall be fully considered during the planning, decision-
making, development and implementation of all Resources Agency programs, policies
and activities. The intent of this policy is to ensure that the public, including minority
and low-income populations, are informed of opportunities to participate in the
development and implementation of all Resources Agency programs, policies and
activities, and that they are not discriminated against, treated unfairly, or caused to
experience disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects
from environmental decisions.

Implementation
      The Resources Agency is committed to incorporating environmental justice in its
processes, decisions, and programs by making reasonable efforts toward:

    1. Identifying relevant populations that might be adversely affected by programs or
       projects submitted by outside parties, as appropriate.

    2. Seeking out and consulting with community groups and leaders to encourage
       communication and collaboration prior to taking actions that may have an impact
       on the environment, environmental laws or policies.

    3. Broadly distributing public information, in multiple languages if appropriate, to
       encourage participation in public processes.

    4. Ensuring that public documents and notices relating to environmental issues that
       may have an impact on human health are concise, understandable, and readily
       accessible to the public, printed in multiple languages if appropriate.

    5. Holding required public meetings, hearings, and workshops at times and in
       locations that encourage meaningful public participation by members of affected
       communities.

    6. Working in conjunction with other federal, state, regional, and local agencies to
       ensure consideration of disproportionate impacts on relevant populations.

    7. Fostering broad access to existing and proposed data sets and technology to
       better identify, analyze, and respond to environmental justice issues.

    8. Providing appropriate training to staff on environmental justice issues so that
       recognition and consideration of such issues are incorporated into daily program
       activities.




This policy is intended only to improve the internal management of the Resources Agency and does not
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity by a party against the
State of California, its agencies or instrumentalities, its officers or employees, or any other person.