San Diego, CA–The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Governing Board unanimously approved Wednesday a Public Participation Plan and a Framework for its Office of Environmental Justice, representing a significant shift for the agency that separated itself from the County of San Diego and the County Board of Supervisors just over a year ago as a result of Assembly Bill 423.
The Office of Environmental Justice Framework is intended to integrate environmental justice
considerations in all agency actions. One of the goals is to focus on San
Diego County regions disproportionately impacted by air pollution. This Framework will
promote community engagement and equity considerations in all decision-making in SDAPCD
documents and actions.
“The approval of the APCD’s first-ever Public Participation Plan and the framework for our Office
of Environmental Justice provides a new decision-making process that ensures the voice for our
communities most impacted by poor air quality will become an integral part.” Said Supervisor
Nora Vargas, who also serves as the SDAPCD Governing Board Chair. “This is an important
part in achieving the systemic change needed to address environmental justice for generations
to come.”
The Public Participation Plan will work in conjunction with the Framework, which is designed to
support and enhance public participation across SDAPCD’s functions and programs to improve
air quality. The Plan will also guide SDAPCD in increasing its public outreach and engagement
efforts to reach the diverse San Diego County community and stakeholders. The Plan was
developed with the input of several community-based organizations and members of the public
throughout San Diego County.
“SDAPCD wants to develop partnerships and increase community participation in all of its
decisions and these two documents set the groundwork to initiate this process,” said Domingo
Vigil, SDAPCD Deputy Director, “We are excited to begin this work with the San Diego County
community.”
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is a government agency guided
by its governing board that regulates stationary sources of air pollution within San Diego
County.
