RALEIGH – People can soon comment on an environmental justice initiative outlined in Gov. Roy Cooper’s
Executive Order 292.
The order reestablished an Environmental Justice Advisory Council and calls on state agencies to develop and track goals to improve environmental justice in North Carolina.
“Environmental justice means equal access to a healthy environment for all,” said Dr. Virginia Guidry, the council co-chair and Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch head at the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. “Equal access requires meaningful involvement in decision making that affects our health, well-being and environment.”
The order called for the creation of a
mapping tool to provide information about environmental justice issues and help the public identify areas that need attention. People can
explore the interactive map, which includes climate, demographic, environmental, transportation and health data and more.
“The Governor’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council, pursuant to Executive Order 292, is committed to helping state agencies leverage spatial analytic tools and data-driven strategies and tactics to reduce exposures to life-threatening environmental contaminants and the over-concentration of noxious facilities and locally unwanted land-uses in the state’s historically marginalized communities,” said Dr. Jim Johnson, the council co-chair and the William R. Kenan Jr. distinguished professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, and director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center.
The order also encouraged
public participation, giving everyone a chance to voice their concerns and contribute to the decision-making process regarding environmental issues. Several opportunities are on the horizon.
A statewide virtual meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1 via
GoToWebinar. This initial meeting will serve as the public launch of the initiative, providing an overview of the goals and objectives and giving communities the chance to offer input.
People can also provide comment during in-person forums scheduled from 5-7 p.m. in Asheville (Aug. 15), Warren County (Aug. 22) and Sampson County (Aug. 29) and an in-person Environmental Justice Advisory Council meeting set for Sept. 24 in Stanly County. Specific locations for these meetings will be posted on the
public input page once determined.
More information on the environmental justice initiative in North Carolina can be found on the
governor’s webpage.