Environmental Justice in the General Plan

What is Environmental Justice?

Throughout our communities, some bear a disproportionate burden of pollution and associated health risks. Environmental justice (EJ) seeks to correct this inequity by reducing pollution and increasing public investments in these communities, while also ensuring their input is considered in decisions that affect them.

Recent state law (SB 1000) requires all cities and counties to update public policies to address environmental justice. In Santa Ana, we are seeking to build upon the important work that our residents have already started to improve conditions for residences, childcare centers, schools, medical facilities, senior care centers, and parks and recreational facilities in these communities.

What is an EJ community?

An EJ community, or environmental justice community, is an area of the City where residents have the highest risk of exposure to pollution in the air, water, and soil. This pollution may be caused by passing vehicles (cars and trucks) or by the daily activities of businesses and institutions. Residents in these areas also tend to be burdened by socioeconomic and health issues, such as higher rates of language barriers, poverty, and asthma.

Such areas also tend to experience lower rates of investment and improvements from individuals, private companies, and public agencies. All of these factors can lead to unequal opportunities to lead a healthy and prosperous life.

How was EJ addressed in the General Plan and General Plan Update Process?

As noted in the description of the update process in the introduction environmental justice was a key consideration throughout the entire process to update the General Plan. The values of health and equity led to a number of policies and actions designed to address the topic of environmental justice in the community. After the initial development of the goals and policies, the City conducted additional analysis, roundtables, and public engagement specific to environmental justice issues in 2020 to ensure Santa Ana’s disadvantaged communities had opportunities to share their experiences and concerns.

The City released a Draft General Plan and Draft program environmental impact report (PEIR) in August 2020 and a Final EIR shortly after. Based on community input at the Planning Commission public hearing, the City opted to extend outreach efforts on environmental justice and recirculate the Draft PEIR on the topics of open space and air quality.

After additional efforts between Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, the City had conducted a multifaceted environmental justice outreach campaign consisting of two virtual community workshops, 10 community forums (centrally located to affected communities), and a multilingual survey, with flyers and meeting materials provided in multiple languages. The ideas and feedback communicated by residents and stakeholders led directly to revised and new policies and implementation actions.

In August 2021, the City released a revised Draft General Plan and a recirculated Draft PEIR, followed by the Final recirculated PEIR in October 2021. Public hearings were completed in April, with the City Council adopting the updated General Plan and certifying the PEIR in April 2022.

What changes were incorporated into the General Plan?

The City updated its goals, policies, and actions to improve existing and future conditions for all of Santa Ana, with a focus on those in greatest need of help and protection. Consistent with our General Plan Shared Vision and Core Values, the changes incorporated into the adopted General Plan emphasize:

Reducing exposure to pollution. Develop strategies and support regulations that will help reduce exposure to air pollution and hazardous materials.
Improving public facilities. Increase access to community health facilities, parks, community centers, and other public services and facilities, particularly in underserved areas.
Promoting healthy food. Improve the health and wellness of all residents through policies, regulations, and programs that foster healthier food options.
Creating safe and sanitary housing. Add to existing efforts to reduce health hazards associated with construction materials, building standards, and deferred maintenance.
Increasing physical activity. Establish new opportunities for outdoor and indoor recreation as part of a comprehensive and integrated network of spaces and facilities, with a focus on underserved areas.
Enhancing civic engagement. Increase the amount and quality of community engagement throughout the planning, development, and operation of our communities and City.
EJ specific policies and actions. View the adopted EJ policies intended to guide positive change and improvements to our communities.

Attorney General Feedback on the General Plan

On October 16, 2020, the Attorney General's Office provided a letter to the City of Santa Ana to serve as a resource and provide initial feedback on the City's General Plan Update. Subsequently, the City of Santa Ana responded to the Attorney General's letter on October 30, 2020. The City's response highlighted efforts made to engage EJ communities as well as to address the requirements of SB 1000. Attachments to the letter include changes made to the draft policies and implementation actions in response to the feedback provided by the Attorney General's letter dated October 16, 2020.

Additional EJ Materials

Santa Ana General Plan Resources

Summary of EJ outreach for the General Plan. View a summary of the Environmental Justice (EJ) outreach campaign and Environmental Justice survey results (English / Spanish) that were completed in Spring 2021.
Infographic of EJ General Plan survey. View an infographic of the EJ survey (English / Spanish).
City Factsheet about EJ in the General Plan. View a brief overview of how the City is incorporating environmental justice into our General Plan (English / Spanish).
EJ Background & Analysis. View the updated March 2021 Environmental Justice background and analysis for the General Plan Update.
EJ Policy Framework. View the updated December 2021 Environmental Justice Policy Framework for the General Plan Update.
EJ Policy Framework. View the June 2020 Draft Environmental Justice Policy Framework for the General Plan Update
Environmental Justice Presentation. View the Presentation on Environmental Justice in the General Plan (English / Spanish).

Regional and State Resources

CalEnviroScreen. Click on the following links from the State’s website to learn more about the latest version of the State’s data model (CalEnviroScreen 4.0), which was used by the City to identify and evaluate environmental justice communities in Santa Ana.
- Combined map showing the overall results and individual maps by census tract for 20 different factors related to environmental hazards and vulnerable populations.
- State website (English and Spanish) provides a comprehensive set of maps, links, and detailed discussion of the model and its results.
- State report with more details on the overall methodology, individual indicators, and statewide results.
SB 1000. Read the text of Senate Bill 1000, the Planning for Healthy Communities Act, which introduced environmental justice as a required topic in general plans.
South Coast Air Quality Management District. Find additional information and resources provided by the South Coast Air Quality Management District related to environmental justice.