How Florida is Addressing Environmental Justice

Environmental Justice Definitions

Florida statutes related to brownfields redevelopment define environmental justice as “the fair treatment of all people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

Environmental Justice Mapping Tools

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Environmental Justice as a Policy of the Environmental Agency or Across All Agencies

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Consideration of Environmental Justice in Permitting

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Consideration of Environmental Justice in Enforcement

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Consideration of Environmental Justice in Land Use

Florida statutes state that “[e]nvironmental justice considerations should be inherent in meaningful public participation elements of a brownfields redevelopment program.” Florida also requires that:

“Local governments or persons responsible for rehabilitation and redevelopment of brownfield areas must establish an advisory committee or use an existing advisory committee that has formally expressed its intent to address redevelopment of the specific brownfield area for the purpose of improving public participation and receiving public comments on rehabilitation and redevelopment of the brownfield area, future land use, local employment opportunities, community safety, and environmental justice.”

State Environmental Policy Act “Mini-NEPA”

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Dedicated Funding to Environmental Justice Communities

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Consideration of Cumulative Impacts

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Prohibitions on Disparate Impact Discrimination

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Established Environmental Rights

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Environmental Justice as Part of Environmental Agency’s Mission

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Environmental Justice as Part of Other Agency’s Mission

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Processes and Procedures (including Title VI)

Non-Discrimination Policy

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Grievance Procedures

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Enhanced Public Participation and Information Access

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Language Access

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Consultation with Indigenous Communities and Tribal Nations

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Governmental Environmental Justice Structures, Positions, and Funding Streams

Environmental Justice Coordinating Agency

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Environmental Justice Coordinator

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Environmental Justice Advisory Board

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Funding for Environmental Justice

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Florida established an (now defunct) Environmental Equity and Justice Commission in 1994 to examine and determine the possible concentration of environmental hazards in people of color and low-income communities and to assess related inequities and risk. The Commission was made of 17 members appointed by the Governor. The Commission released a final report in 1996, which concluded that minority and low-income communities suffer disproportionate environmental impacts and recommended that environmental equity and justice issues be incorporated into land use planning and zoning decisions by local governments and be considered by each state agency as an element in their functional plans.

In 1998, the Legislature created the Center for Environmental Equity and Justice at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). The Center examines issues relating to enforcement, evaluation, health effects and risks, and site placement. It also provides and facilitates education and training on environmental equity and justice issues to students, citizens, and local and state government employees through traditional media networks.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Telephone: 850-922-5438
http://www.dep.state.fl.us

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
The Center for Environment Equity and Justice
Frederick S. Humphries Science Research Center
Tallahassee, Florida 32306
Phone: 850-599-8193, 1-800-391-7513; Fax: 850-412-7785

Constitutional Provisions

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Executive Orders

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Legislation and Statutes

• FL ST § 760.85 (Florida Law, CH. 94-219, Repealed by Laws 1999, c. 99-5, § 75, eff. June 29, 1999) – Establishing the Environmental Equity and Justice Commission
• FL ST. § 760.854 (Florida Law, CH. 98-304) – Establishing the Center for Environmental Equity and Justice

Regulations

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Policies/Guidance

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Mapping Tools

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Other

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