Environmental Justice (EJ)

In April 1995, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) issued an Order to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations to fulfill the environmental justice policy objectives laid out in Executive Order 12898. The central objective of the order was to ensure that all federally funded transportation-related programs, policies, or activities having the potential to adversely or negatively affect human health or the environment involve a planning-programming process that explicitly considers the effects on minority populations and low-income populations. DOT regulations state that "In determining the site or location of facilities, a recipient or applicant may not make selections with the purpose or effect of excluding persons from, denying them the benefits of, or subjecting them to discrimination under any program to which this regulation applies on the grounds of race, color, or national origin. (49CFR21.5(b)(3))

The increasing concern over environmental impacts of federally funded programs and projects on minority and low-income populations builds upon Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI requires nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs by emphasizing the need to identify and address disproportionate effects of federal programs, policies, and activities. For this reason, a formal federal policy on environmental justice was established in February 1994, with Executive Order 12898, requiring all federal agencies to establish internal policies to ensure that the order was reflected in the full range of their activities, including public involvement. CAMPO, as a federally-funded organization, is required to follow this policy.

CAMPO Environmental Justice Areas Map

The EJ map below shows census tracts where 50 percent or more of the population is minority or low income. The map is used to identify situations where additional analysis is needed before a proposed transportation project, such as a new regional highway or a transit route, can be developed.