Environmental Justice Element: Community Advisory Board Needed

On Wednesday, the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission held a public hearing on the County’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Element, an important step toward more equitable and inclusive land-use planning.

The Santa Barbara County Trails Council was grateful to see the latest draft include explicit recognition of the role that parks, trails, and open spaces play in advancing environmental justice, particularly within Policies 1 and 3. These areas are essential to ensuring that everyone, especially those living in Environmental Justice Communities, has access to nature, recreation, and the health and well-being that come with it.

While this progress is encouraging, one key area of concern remains the need for continued community involvement in implementing and refining the EJ Element. It was encouraging to hear that this issue received significant attention from many members of the public during the hearing.

The following comment was shared on behalf of the Trails Council to encourage the County to “...continue integrating procedural justice by keeping community voices involved through an ongoing advisory committee that includes members of Environmental Justice Communities. That kind of inclusion helps ensure the process stays fair, transparent, and grounded in the needs of those most affected.”

You can view the full recording of the hearing here: https://sbcounty.granicus.com/player/clip/5017?view_id=3&redirect=true

Key Documents and Links

• Hearing Materials: https://lnkd.in/g5kjK-3X
• Draft Environmental Justice Element of the Comprehensive Plan: https://lnkd.in/gguk7Ceq
• Trails Council Letter: https://lnkd.in/gfD3bUrD
• Equity Advisory & Outreach: https://sbco.mysocialpinpoint.com/sbcollaborative/subcommittees
• Post-hearing article in the Independent