Environmental Justice Task Force

The primary role of the Environmental Justice Task Force of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission is to enhance the consideration and integration of environmental justice throughout the regional planning process. The specific purposes of the Task Force are:

1. To further facilitate the involvement of, and help ensure the full and fair participation of, low-income, minority and disabled individuals and communities at all stages in relevant areas of regional planning, as determined in consultation with them;
2. To make recommendations on, and help monitor, issues and analyses potentially relevant to the needs and circumstances of low-income, minority and disabled communities in the region;
3. To help identify potential benefits and adverse effects of regional planning programs and activities with respect to minority, low-income and disabled populations;
4. To advise and recommend methods to prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits, and/or to avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority, low-income and disabled populations; and
5. To enhance awareness, understanding, appreciation, support, and implementation of planning recommendations and benefits, with emphasis on the needs of minority, low-income, and disabled populations.

The roster for the Environmental Justice Task Force contains representatives from throughout the Region. Appointment to the Task Force is for an initial period of two years beginning in August 2007. Seven of the members selected represent the counties in the region (one per county). Three additional members represent Milwaukee, the Region's largest city; three more were chosen to represent Kenosha, Racine, and Waukesha, the Region's next-largest cities, one member each; and one more was chosen from the remainder of the region. The fifteenth member is an at-large representative.

The Task Force will meet as appropriate and necessary, usually on a quarterly basis. All meetings are held in locations that are physically accessible to persons with disabilities and served by public transportation. Non-members are also able to attend meetings and comment, as all meetings will be open to the public and provide reasonable comment opportunity. Click here for meeting materials, including agenda and formal presentations.

A background document (PDF) has been prepared which provides further information on the Environmental Justice Task Force. As well, the Task Force is an important element of the Commission’s revised Public Participation Plan for Regional Transportation Planning (PDF).

Further information may be obtained by contacting Gary Korb, Regional Planning Educator, UW-Extension working with SEWRPC, or 262-547-6721.