Environmental Justice Task Force

The primary role of the SEWRPC Environmental Justice Task Force 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 minority populations, low-income populations, and people with disabilities 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 minority populations, low-income populations, and people with disabilities in the region;
3. To help identify potential benefits and adverse effects of regional planning programs and activities with respect to minority populations, low-income populations, and people with disabilities;
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 populations, low-income populations, and people with disabilities; and
5. To enhance awareness, understanding, appreciation, support, and implementation of planning recommendations and benefits, with emphasis on the needs of minority populations, low-income populations, and people with disabilities.

The roster for the Environmental Justice Task Force contains representatives from throughout the Region. Appointment to the Task Force is for renewable two-year periods. 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 meets as appropriate and necessary, usually on a quarterly basis. All meetings are held in locations that are physically accessible to people with disabilities and served by public transportation. Non-members are also able to attend meetings and comment, as all meetings are open to the public and provide reasonable comment opportunity. Meeting materials, including agendas and formal presentations may be found here.

A background document has been prepared which provides further information on the Environmental Justice Task Force. As well, the Task Force is an important element of SEWRPC’s Public Participation Plan.
Further information may be obtained by contacting: 

Nakeisha N. Payne
Public Involvement & Outreach Manager
262-953-3210
npayne@sewrpc.org