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Department of Planning and Development
Department of Planning and Development

Health and Environmental Justice Element update

Sign up for upcoming Environmental Justice Community listening sessions (between October 13 and 20) in the Upcoming Events section below.

The County of Santa Clara is updating its general plan to include environmental justice policies. Environmental justice (EJ) is the right of all people to have a healthy environment to live, work, learn, play, and pray.

California Environmental Justice requirements

In 2016, California adopted SB1000 into state law. This law requires cities and counties to adopt EJ in their general plans if:

  • they are updating two or more major sections of their general plan at the same time, and
  • they have at least one community vulnerable and/or exposed to high levels of pollution.

The County meets both criteria and is taking steps to include EJ in its General Plan Health Element.

What is the Health Element?

The County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors adopted the Health Element in August of 2015 as part of the County’s General Plan. The Health Element includes policies to improve environmental and social conditions that shape the health of all residents. Review the Health Element.

Screenshot of the Health Element front page
View the Health Element

Why include EJ in the Health Element?

The Health Element is an ideal place to include EJ because it already has policies within all topic areas required by the state of California. The Planning and Public Health departments are partnering to update the Health Element to include more policies related to environmental health.

How do I get involved?

You can receive information about the Health and Environmental Justice Element update through this webpage. Check back for updates on events, public hearings, and more. You can also sign up for updates using the form below.

Upcoming events

Environmental Justice community listening sessions

Join us to engage in discussion on the County’s efforts towards supporting environmental justice and how we might address pollution impacts and support the health and wellness of our communities.

Session dates

  • English with Vietnamese interpretation
    • Friday, October 13, 1:30-3:00 PM
    • Friday, October 20, 1:30-3:00 PM
  • English with Spanish interpretation
    • Monday, October 16, 5:30-7:00 PM
    • Thursday, October 19, 5:30-7:00 PM

Location

Vietnamese American Service Center 
2410 Senter Rd, San Jose, CA 95111  

Register here

Công lý Môi trường Các Phiên họp Lắng nghe Cộng đồng

Tham gia cùng chúng tôi để thảo luận về những nỗ lực của Quận Hạt trong việc hỗ trợ công lý môi trường và cách chúng ta có thể giải quyết các tác động ô nhiễm cũng như hỗ trợ cho sức khỏe và sự lành mạnh của cộng đồng quý vị.

Các Phiên họp

  • Anh ngữ với thông dịch bằng tiếng Việt Nam
    • Thứ Sáu, 13 tháng 10, 1:30 - 3:00 PM
    • Thứ Sáu, 20 tháng 10, 1:30 - 3:00 PM

Địa điểm

Trung tâm Phục vụ Việt Mỹ 
2410 Senter Rd, San Jose, CA 95111

Ghi danh Tại đây

Sesiones de información para la comunidad sobre la justicia ambiental

Venga a conversar con nosotros sobre los esfuerzos del Condado para apoyar la justicia ambiental y sobre cómo podemos hacer frente a los efectos de la contaminación y apoyar la salud y el bienestar de nuestras comunidades.

Fechas de las sesiones

  • En inglés con interpretación en español
    • Lunes 16 de octubre, 5:30 - 7:00 PM
    • Jueves 19 de octubre, 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Lugar

Centro de Servicios Vietnamita Americano 
2410 Senter Rd, San Jose, CA 95111  

Inscríbase aquí

Environmental Justice Element Information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines environmental justice (EJ) as “the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national original, or income, with respect to the development implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

The California Planning for Healthy Communities Act (SB1000) requires cities and counties to adopt EJ in their general plans when they meet certain criteria. The EJ planning process should:

  • Use CalEnviroScreen and local data to identify EJ communities
  • Document existing EJ conditions and issues
  • Engage with community members and stakeholders
  • Develop goals, objectives, and policies that promote EJ
  • Adopt the EJ goals, objectives, and policies somewhere in the general plan

When drafting EJ goals, objectives, and policies, cities and counties must include the following topics:

  • Reduce health risks of priority communities
  • Address pollution exposures
  • Improve air quality
  • Promote public facilities
  • Promote food access
  • Promote safe and sanitary homes
  • Support physical activity

For more information about including EJ in general plans, review the California Office of Planning and Research Environmental Justice Element guidelines.

Links

Have a question? Contact us

If you have a question about the Health and Environmental Justice Element Update, please reach out by e-mail to Teddy Daligga at [email protected]

Sign up for Health and EJ Element updates

Use the form below to sign up to learn about upcoming events for the Health and Environmental Justice Element update.