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167921-1 Report Abstract

An Evaluation of Environmental Justice and Environmental Equity: Laws and Issues that Affect Minority and Low-Income Populations

Edward Owens, Gwendolyn Goodwin, Carol A. Lewis and Jeffrey Mallory, Texas Southern University, May 2008, 70 pp. (167921-1)

Environmental Justice and transportation equity concerns pertain to discriminatory outcomes in planning, operation and maintenance, and infrastructure development by state and metropolitan systems. On February 11,1994, President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations. Two major federal laws, the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, are highlighted in the Executive Order. This study provides an overview of literature and case studies regarding Environmental Justice issues and concerns. Additionally, the study includes survey responses of state DOT’s and MPO’s about their methods and viewpoints of addressing environmental justice in planning and projects.

Keywords: Environmental Justice, Equity, Low-Income Populations

ENTIRE REPORT (Adobe Acrobat File – 365 KB)