Environmental Justice Framework
Mecklenburg County is working with its communities to develop an Environmental Justice Framework. This will serve as a roadmap toward making Mecklenburg County a more environmentally-just community for all.
Mecklenburg County recognizes that people of color, low and moderate income households and residents with fewer years of education are more likely to live in proximity to environmental injustices due to historical effects of systemic racism, to include, but not limited to: availability of affordable housing, limited public engagement, not-in-my-backyard activism (NIMBYISM), redlining, residential covenant restrictions and segregation.
In order for our efforts to have a strong foundation, we must have, as a starting point, intentional community partnerships, particularly with community-based organizations doing work in similar spaces. This will provide us with robust demographic, health, and environmental data.
What is Environmental Justice?
The EPA and NC Department of Environmental Quality define environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.
Areas of Focus
We commit to equitable protection from the health effects of air pollution and opportunity for involvement in decision making.
Goal 1: Reduce air pollution from cars and trucks
- Increase EV fleet use in areas that are high in Black, Brown and low-income residents to reduce air pollution.
- Increase access to EVs in Black, Brown and low-income communities through promoting federal tax incentives, EV-specific ride shares, etc.
Goal 2: Provide data and increase engagement with residents
- Explore the possibility of adding community air monitors to connect residents with measurement of air pollution.
We commit to working towards alleviating these environmental burdens equitably as well as facilitating opportunity for involvement in decision making.
Goal 3: Infuse environmental justice principles into existing Storm Water processes and programs
- Encourage communities to take advantage of Programs (e.g., Floodplain Buyout and RetroFIT programs) that alleviate environmental burdens through additional public education and involvement, marketing of programs, and evaluating current eligibility criteria to identify opportunities for removing barriers and increasing access to program resources.
- Include environmental justice measures and ensure potential negative impacts are mitigated within Capital Improvement Project planning process for Storm Water stream restoration and floodplain buyout projects.
Goal 4: Improve and promote awareness of drinking water quality as well as storm water mitigation tactics
- Collaborate with City and Towns to publicize drinking water quality.
- Explore enhancing storm water mitigation options to mitigate barriers for flood-prone communities.
Although Mecklenburg County does not provide any residential waste or recycling collection, we commit to working towards alleviating these environmental burdens equitably as well as facilitating the opportunity for involvement in decision making.
Goal 5: Reduce litter on publicly-owned roadside property
- Strategic collaboration between the County, the State and Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful for litter collection & illegal dumping, to beautify publicly-owned roadside property.
Goal 6: Increase access to as well as representation in solid waste projects and programs
- Study the collection of waste and recyclables in Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) areas for adherence as well as services available.
- Incorporate environmental justice criteria and assessment into Capital Improvement Project planning for Solid Waste.
We commit to working towards alleviating these environmental burdens equitably as well as facilitating opportunity for involvement in decision making.
Goal 7: Work to preserve and improve tree canopy
- Collaborate with partners to preserve landscapes in areas with limited tree canopies or aging trees.
- Partner on a collective effort to develop strategies for addressing tree canopy gaps in priority areas.
Goal 8: Ensure equitable investments in priority communities
Continue to use Meck Playbook priority community criteria and incorporate environmental justice measures into existing planning processes for Park and Recreation Capital Improvement Projects and Land Acquisition.
The County commits to serving as a resource and catalyst for community-focused environmental advocacy.
Goal 9: Equitable Access to Community Resources
- Advocate for, and work towards, equitable access to the following services for all Mecklenburg County residents:
- Early childcare and education
- Financial services
- Grocery stores
- Low-cost health care
- Pharmacies
- Public outdoor recreation centers
Goal 10: Ensure environmental representation within rezoning & new development projects
- Leverage subject area expertise, to proactively provide comments and/or offer environmental mitigation tactics for rezoning petitions & new development, for communities in close proximity to environmental concerns including but not limited to water & soil contamination, air quality and potential health issues.
The County commits to transparency and accountability through the implementation of this Framework
Goal 11: Invest in publicly-available data to ensure monitoring success in our EJ Communities as well as support accountability of this Framework through establishment of an Advisory Council.
- Develop a publicly accessible Environmental Justice Communities Dashboard, depicting a gradient of pollution exposure and social vulnerability in Mecklenburg County as well as to establish and monitor our EJ Communities.
- Establish Environmental Justice Advisory Council to seek and devote resources to engaging meaningful, ongoing participation and community involvement in decisions that are most likely to impact EJ Communities. Leverage Council to create culturally and linguistically appropriate educational and awareness materials related to health and the environment. The Council will be comprised of representatives from all six Towns, the City of Charlotte as well as local environmental justice advocates and County staff.
- Work with Environmental Advisory Council, in partnership with local public, private and non-profit organizations, for the following campaigns/community benefits via inclusive and accessible strategies:
- EV fleet (public transit) in Corridors of Opportunity
- Plastic bag & Styrofoam reduction
- Mandatory commercial recycling requirements
- Water contamination mitigation requirements in new development
- Permeable construction material usage