Environmental Justice areas in this guide have been defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Department defines an environmental justice area as any census tract where at least 20 percent of the population lives in poverty, and/or 30 percent or more of the population is minority.

Support for Health Equity datasets and tools provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS) through their Health Equity Initiative.

*** DEPRECATED DUE TO IMPROPER NAMING, REPLACED BY Environmental Justice Areas - PennEnviroScreen 2024 ***PennEnviroScreen provides an annually updated snapshot of undue environmental burden on vulnerable communities. This dataset is the result of a model which combines Pollution Burden and Population Characteristics data in order to identify Environmental Justice (EJ) Areas in accordance with the EJ Policy and is based upon the US Census Bureau's Census Block Group Delineations. More information can be found at the PennEnviroScreen interactive mapping application: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/PennEnviroScreen/

SACOG, with the assistance of the SACOG Equity Working Group, identified 2020 EJ areas as census block group level concentrations of low income, and/or high minority and/or qualification of an “other vulnerability" and/or within the CalEnviroScreen 3.0 identified areas. The other vulnerabilities take into consideration concentrations of: older adults aged 75 or more, linguistically isolated households, single parent households with children under the age of 18, low educational attainment, severely housing cost burdened households, and persons with disabilities.This is consistent with SACOG's 2020 MTP/SCS adopted plan. This feature has identified 548 boundaries as Environmental Justice areas for the SACOG region as of August 2021.

Environmental Justice neighborhoods are the focus of the state's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' (EEA) Environmental Justice (EJ) Policy, which establishes EJ as an integral consideration in all EEA programs, to the extent applicable and allowable by law. For more information please visit EEA's Environmental Justice Web page, which includes a detailed fact sheet as well as text of the full policy.More details...Polygons in the 2020 Environmental Justice (EJ) Populations layer are 2020 Census block groups across the state that meet one or more of the criteria listed below. (i) the annual median household income is not more than 65 percent of the statewide annual median household income; (ii) minorities comprise 40 percent or more of the population; (iii) 25 percent or more of households lack English language proficiency; or (iv) minorities comprise 25 percent or more of the population and the annual median household income of the municipality in which the neighborhood is located does not exceed 150 percent of the statewide annual median household income.Map service also available.

PennEnviroScreen provides an annually updated snapshot of undue environmental burden on vulnerable communities. This dataset is the result of a model which combines Pollution Burden and Population Characteristics data in order to identify Environmental Justice (EJ) Areas in accordance with the EJ Policy and is based upon the US Census Bureau's Census Block Group Delineations. To query if a block group is an EJ area, field EJAREA = yesMore information can be found at the PennEnviroScreen interactive mapping application: https://gis.dep.pa.gov/PennEnviroScreen/

This resouce contains two spatial datasets.

MPCA Environmental Justice Areas
MPCA Census Tribal Areas

These data represent areas of consideration for MPCA environmental justice efforts. Our goal is to highlight regions where community members are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues. The data fields in this layer are a mix of American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates and calculations performed by MPCA staff. Margins of error are not considered when determining potential areas of consideration.

As an attempt to highlight environmental justice areas of concern, we show census tracts where the estimated percentage of the population that identify as people of color is 40% or greater, the estimated percentage of economically disadvantaged community members is 35% or greater, as well as the estimated percentage of the population that has limited English proficiency is 40% or greater. We also include language information for each census tract and highlight the top three estimated languages spoken by those who report that they do not speak English well.

Income Threshold:
The federal government defines poverty thresholds on an annual basis (https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/income-poverty/historical-poverty-thresholds.html). For MPCA use, we show an income threshold at 2 times the federal poverty threshold.

2022:
2 x $13,590 = $27,180 (individual)
2 x $27,750 = $55,500 (family of four)

This resource also contains Tribal Areas. These areas are derived by taking the maximum extent of two spatial datasets: the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 TIGER/Line Shapefiles, Current American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian Areas for United States; and Minnesota Department of Transportation's Tribal Government in Minnesota.

Potential Environmental Justice Areas (PEJA) is defined in the PEJA field. PEJA's have been identified based on data from the 2014-2018 5-year American Community Survey (ACS), conducted by the US Census Bureau. Environmental justice efforts focus on improving the environment in communities, specifically minority and low-income communities, and addressing disproportionate adverse environmental impacts that may exist in those communities. The information balloon for each census block group area displays the census block group ID, population, percent minority, percent below poverty level, county, municipality, and a link to more information on the Department of Environmental Conservation's website https://www.dec.ny.gov/public/333.html The data was collected by the US Census Bureau as part of the American Community Survey. Reported income and race/ethnicity data were analyzed by OEJ to determine the presence of Potential Environmental Justice Areas. The designated areas are then considered for additional outreach within the permitting process, for grant eligibility, and for targeted enforcement of Environmental Conservation Law violations. Utilized established methods as originally detailed in the Interim Environmental Justice Policy, US EPA Region 2, December 2000, and recommended by the Environmental Justice Advisory Group, Recommendations for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Environmental Justice Program, January 2, 2002. Individual thresholds for low-income populations (statewide), minority populations (rural communities), and minority populations (urban communities) were determined by using ArcGIS 10.3 (used to indicate if census block groups overlapped Census designated urban areas) and IBM SPSS Statistics 26 (to conduct a K-means clustering algorithm on ACS data for the three categories).View Dataset on the Gateway

Environmental Justice neighborhoods are the focus of the state's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' (EEA) Environmental Justice (EJ) Policy, which establishes EJ as an integral consideration in all EEA programs, to the extent applicable and allowable by law. For more information please visit EEA's Environmental Justice Web page, which includes a detailed fact sheet as well as text of the full policy.Polygons in the 2020 Environmental Justice (EJ) Populations layer are 2020 Census block groups across the state that meet one or more of the criteria listed below. (i) the annual median household income is not more than 65 percent of the statewide annual median household income; (ii) minorities comprise 40 percent or more of the population; (iii) 25 percent or more of households lack English language proficiency; or (iv) minorities comprise 25 percent or more of the population and the annual median household income of the municipality in which the neighborhood is located does not exceed 150 percent of the statewide annual median household income.More details...Feature service also available.

Current, March 2024 revision, IMPO Environmental Justice Areas based on 2020 Census Block Groups selected by the 2020 MPA boundary. https://www.indympo.org/maps-and-data/maps/demographics-environmental-justice “Environmental Justice (EJ) refers to the process of evaluating and analyzing the planning process in reference to the most disadvantaged populations. Environmental Justice populations are identified by the federal government as low-income and minority populations. As part of our planning process, we evaluate the impact our projects have on these populations." “For each census block group within the Metropolitan Planning Area, 2022 ACS Five-Year data was used to compare the rate* of a specific EJ population within the block group to the rate of that population in the overall region. The map identifies which EJ populations for each block group exceed the regional rate for that population. Because the IMPO is federally mandated to consider the benefits to and burdens of minoritized people and low-income households, those categories are specifically highlighted in the map and considered to be Environmental Justice Areas of Attention (EJAs). The map also identifies five other EJ populations including people with limited English proficiency, low educational attainment, households with no automobiles available, people over the age of 65, and households with disabilities. These groups are not federally mandated for consideration but are indicated here by the IMPO because they can also be disproportionately impacted by transportation projects."

description: These data are from EJSCREEN, an environmental justice (EJ) screening and mapping tool that provides EPA with a nationally consistent dataset and methodology for calculating "EJ indexes," which can be used for highlighting places that may be candidates for further review, analysis, or outreach as the agency develops programs, policies and other activities. The tool provides both summary and detailed information at the Census block group level or a user-defined area for both demographic and environmental indicators. The summary information is in the form of EJ Indexes which combine demographic information with a single environmental indicator (such as proximity to traffic) that can help identify communities living in areas with greater potential for environmental and health impacts. The tool also provides additional detailed demographic and environmental information to supplement screening analyses. EJSCREEN displays this information in color-coded maps, bar charts, and standard reports. Users should keep in mind that screening tools are subject to substantial uncertainty in their demographic and environmental data, particularly when looking at small geographic areas, such as Census block groups. Data on the full range of environmental impacts and demographic factors in any given location are almost certainly not available directly through this tool, and its initial results should be supplemented with additional information and local knowledge before making any judgments about potential areas of EJ concern.; abstract: These data are from EJSCREEN, an environmental justice (EJ) screening and mapping tool that provides EPA with a nationally consistent dataset and methodology for calculating "EJ indexes," which can be used for highlighting places that may be candidates for further review, analysis, or outreach as the agency develops programs, policies and other activities. The tool provides both summary and detailed information at the Census block group level or a user-defined area for both demographic and environmental indicators. The summary information is in the form of EJ Indexes which combine demographic information with a single environmental indicator (such as proximity to traffic) that can help identify communities living in areas with greater potential for environmental and health impacts. The tool also provides additional detailed demographic and environmental information to supplement screening analyses. EJSCREEN displays this information in color-coded maps, bar charts, and standard reports. Users should keep in mind that screening tools are subject to substantial uncertainty in their demographic and environmental data, particularly when looking at small geographic areas, such as Census block groups. Data on the full range of environmental impacts and demographic factors in any given location are almost certainly not available directly through this tool, and its initial results should be supplemented with additional information and local knowledge before making any judgments about potential areas of EJ concern.

This data layer references data from a high-resolution tree canopy change-detection layer for Seattle, Washington. Tree canopy change was mapped by using remotely sensed data from two time periods (2016 and 2021). Tree canopy was assigned to three classes: 1) no change, 2) gain, and 3) loss. No change represents tree canopy that remained the same from one time period to the next. Gain represents tree canopy that increased or was newly added, from one time period to the next. Loss represents the tree canopy that was removed from one time period to the next. Mapping was carried out using an approach that integrated automated feature extraction with manual edits. Care was taken to ensure that changes to the tree canopy were due to actual change in the land cover as opposed to differences in the remotely sensed data stemming from lighting conditions or image parallax. Direct comparison was possible because land-cover maps from both time periods were created using object-based image analysis (OBIA) and included similar source datasets (LiDAR-derived surface models, multispectral imagery, and thematic GIS inputs). OBIA systems work by grouping pixels into meaningful objects based on their spectral and spatial properties, while taking into account boundaries imposed by existing vector datasets. Within the OBIA environment a rule-based expert system was designed to effectively mimic the process of manual image analysis by incorporating the elements of image interpretation (color/tone, texture, pattern, _location, size, and shape) into the classification process. A series of morphological procedures were employed to ensure that the end product is both accurate and cartographically pleasing. No accuracy assessment was conducted, but the dataset was subjected to manual review and correction.University of Vermont Spatial Analysis LaboratoryThe dataset covers the following tree canopy categories:Environmental Justice Priority AreasCensus tracts composite / quintileExisting tree canopy percentage & environmental justice priority levelExisting tree canopyPossible tree canopyRelative percentage changeFor more information, please see the 2021 Tree Canopy Assessment.

The Environmental Justice Communities Map (“EJ Communities Map”) describes areas of San Francisco that have higher pollution and are predominately low-income. This map is based on CalEnviroScreen, a tool created by CalEPA & OEHHA that maps California communities that are most affected by pollution and other health risks. This EJ Communities Map includes additional local data on pollution and demographics, and was refined during the community engagement process based on public feedback. “EJ Communities” are defined as the areas facing the top one-third of cumulative environmental and socioeconomic burdens across the City. The EJ Communities include areas of Bayview Hunters Point, Chinatown, Excelsior, Japantown, Mission, Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside, Outer Mission, Potrero Hill, SoMa, Tenderloin, Treasure Island, Visitacion Valley, and Western Addition. "EJ Communities” are defined as the areas facing the top one-third of cumulative environmental and socioeconomic burdens across the City, with scores 21-30. Further information is available here: https://sfplanning.org/project/environmental-justice-framework-and-general-plan-policies#ej-communities

Map of environmental justice areas in Ada and Canyon counties.

Coastal California is home to a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that aim to safeguard the state’s marine resources and ecosystems. Little is known about who is served and not served by California’s MPAs, with large gaps in environmental justice implications. Our study aimed to investigate access to MPAs across communities in California using multiple lines of evidence, with a focus on subsistence fishers (pier fishers and others who do not sell their catch) who are often indirectly marginalized by MPAs. To address this, we 1) conducted a literature review on equity and environmental justice (EEJ) in California’s ocean management policies, 2) compared time traveled to MPAs for zip codes of different demographics, 3) conducted a literature review on subsistence fishing in California, and 4) compared demographics of subsistence fishers with intensity of ocean-based pollution linked to fished species. Our EEJ literature review highlighted a gap in policies addressing equitable ocean access. Our spatial analysis revealed disparities in coastal access by age, race, and income. Our subsistence fishing literature review highlighted that little is known about California’s current subsistence fishing, though biophysical aspects are better studied than socioeconomic aspects. Our analysis of pollution and subsistence fishing suggested that many subsistence fishers from disadvantaged communities are fishing in areas with high pollution. State and federal agencies can utilize our results to develop effective future management strategies for equitable access to California’s MPAs that take disadvantaged communities into account, especially subsistence fishers, to increase their representation in the decision-making process. Methods Data Collection: Data included in this repository includes: A literature review on subsistence fishers in Californina, a literature review on equity and environmental justice as it relates to ocean access, GIS data used for spatial analysis as it related to subsistence fishers and environmental justice indicators, previously collected data from CalEnviroScreen, and pollution data sourced from the NOAA Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Data Processing: This repository includes subsets of databases from RStudio and Arc Pro. In the data which is relevant to environmental justice and access to California MPAs, including for example percentage of poverty, age of people 65 and older, race, and overall score of disadvantage per zip code. A link to the subsistence data process: Work_Log_Notes.pdf

Environmental Justice areas are identified at the Transportation Analysis Zone (TAZ) level. A TAZ is an agglomeration of Census Blocks, but smaller than a Census Tract, allowing for a refined approach with significant accuracy, small enough to capture population within often overlooked geographies, yet large enough to leverage accurate sample data.A TAZ will be identified as a location of EJ concern if it has a minority population percentage at or above the lesser of the regional average or the national average and/or a population in poverty whose percentage of the full TAZ is at or above the lesser of the regional average or the national average. For the criteria mentioned above, a location identifies as an EJ area if either or both of the following thresholds are met:Percent of residents of minority status at or above 31.65%Percent of residents at or below poverty level: 13.63%Data Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year EstimatesCurrent Vintage: 2018-2022Data Processing Notes:NOACA staff implement their EJ analysis through the following steps so they can identify and map EJ areas in Northeast Ohio:Calculate the percentage of both the United States current population and NOACA’s current population that is “minority.”Calculate the percentage of both the United States current population and NOACA’s current population that is below the poverty level.Compare the values in Step 1; the lesser value is the minority criterion. Compare the values in Step 2. The lesser value is the poverty criterion.For each TAZ, NOACA staff estimate the minority and poverty percentages of that TAZ’s current population.If either the TAZ’s minority percentage or poverty percentage exceeds the minority criterion or the poverty criterion, respectively, then NOACA staff identify that TAZ as an Environmental Justice Area of Concern.For more information visit Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)

IntroductionGiven limited evidence of previous studies, we evaluated the role of environmental justice (EJ) burden (i.e., a neighborhood characterized by both increased environmental burden and socioeconomic deprivation) in Black-White disparities in spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) in Harris County, Texas and compared results that evaluated neighborhood-level socioeconomic deprivation alone.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis using PeriBank, a database and biospecimen repository of gravidae giving birth at two hospitals in the Texas Medical Center. We included 3,703 non-Hispanic Black and 5,475 non-Hispanic white gravidae who were U.S.-born, delivered from August 2011-December 2020, and resided in Harris County, TX. We used data from the U.S. EPA EJScreen to characterize the EJ burden of participant's zip code of residence from fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, and proximity to National Priorities List (NPL) sites and calculated zip-code level Area Deprivation Index (ADI). We assessed the contribution of neighborhood-level variables to the Black-White disparity in sPTB by evaluating attenuation of the odds ratio (OR) representing the effect of race in multivariable logistic regression models, controlling for individual-level characteristics. We also conducted race-stratified analyses between each neighborhood variable and sPTB. Exposure indices were treated as continuous variables; in stratified models, ORs and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) are presented per 10-unit increase in the neighborhood variable.ResultsAccounting for individual-level variables, Black gravidae had 79% higher odds of sPTB than white gravidae (OR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.32, 2.44); the disparity was moderately attenuated when accounting for EJ burden or ADI (ORs ranged from 1.58 to 1.69). Though we observed no association between any of the EJ burden indices and sPTB among white gravidae, we found increased risks among Black gravidae, with ORs of similar magnitude for each EJ variable. For example, Black gravidae experienced 17% increased odds of sPTB associated with a 10-unit increase in the EJ burden index for PM2.5 (OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 0.97, 1.40). No racial differences were observed in the association of ADI with sPTB.DiscussionThough we observed limited evidence of the contribution of living in EJ neighborhoods to the Black-White disparity in sPTB, our study suggests living in an EJ neighborhood may differentially impact Black and white gravidae.

Analysis of ‘Environmental Justice Area Census Tract Designation’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/8079e6d2-e738-4d50-b91e-cbae8e32c516 on 28 January 2022.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

Shapefile of census tracts by environmental justice area designation defined by Local Law 64 (2017). For more information about this dataset, visit the Environmental Justice Areas map.

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

EJSCREEN is an environmental justice (EJ) screening and mapping tool that provides EPA with a nationally consistent dataset and methodology for calculating "EJ indexes," which can be used for highlighting places that may be candidates for further review, analysis, or outreach as the agency develops programs, policies and other activities. The tool provides both summary and detailed information at the Census block group level or a user-defined area for both demographic and environmental indicators. The summary information is in the form of EJ Indexes which combine demographic information with a single environmental indicator (such as proximity to traffic) that can help identify communities living in areas with greater potential for environmental and health impacts. The tool also provides additional detailed demographic and environmental information to supplement screening analyses. EJSCREEN displays this information in color-coded maps, bar charts, and standard reports. Users should keep in mind that screening tools are subject to substantial uncertainty in their demographic and environmental data, particularly when looking at small geographic areas, such as Census block groups. Data on the full range of environmental impacts and demographic factors in any given location are almost certainly not available directly through this tool, and its initial results should be supplemented with additional information and local knowledge before making any judgments about potential areas of EJ concern. Download data: ftp://newftp.epa.gov/EJSCREEN

Course materials for Quantifying Environmental Justice, taught as Environmental Science 4201 at University of Minnesota, Morris in Spring 2023. Description: The concept of justice has received increasing attention in environmental fields in recent years, particularly since the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. But the field of Environmental Justice has existed since the late 1970s, when black communities were fighting the siting of toxic facilities in their neighborhoods. In spite of this, environmental students often leave college without a strong foundation to address questions of justice.

In this course, we will take a data-driven approach to questions of justice. How is justice defined and measured? What data is available to evaluate questions of justice? What skills do we need to answer these questions? We will attempt to answer those questions through readings in classic and contemporary environmental justice, lab exercises to develop statistical and geographical skills, and an intensive case study to apply our thoughts and skills to real-world questions.

This layer is an archive of Version 1.0 of the CEJST data as a fully functional GIS layer. See an archive of the latest version of the CEJST tool using Version 2.0 of the data released in December 2024 here.This layer assesses and identifies communities that are disadvantaged according to updated Justice40 Initiative criteria. Census tracts in the U.S. and its territories that meet the Version 1.0 criteria are shaded in semi-transparent blue colors to work with a variety of basemaps. See this web map for use in your dashboards, story maps, and apps.Details of the assessment are provided in the popup for every census tract in the United States and its territories American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This map uses 2010 census tracts from Version 1.0 of the source data downloaded November 22, 2022.If you have been using a previous version of the Justice40 data, please know that this Version 1.0 differs in many ways. See the updated Justice40 Initiative criteria for current specifics. Use this layer to help plan for grant applications, to perform spatial analysis, and to create informative dashboards and web applications. See this blog post for more information.From the source:This data "highlights disadvantaged census tracts across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. Communities are considered disadvantaged:If they are in census tracts that meet the thresholds for at least one of the tool’s categories of burden, orIf they are on land within the boundaries of Federally Recognized TribesCategories of BurdensThe tool uses datasets as indicators of burdens. The burdens are organized into categories. A community is highlighted as disadvantaged on the CEJST map if it is in a census tract that is (1) at or above the threshold for one or more environmental, climate, or other burdens, and (2) at or above the threshold for an associated socioeconomic burden.In addition, a census tract that is completely surrounded by disadvantaged communities and is at or above the 50% percentile for low income is also considered disadvantaged.Census tracts are small units of geography. Census tract boundaries for statistical areas are determined by the U.S. Census Bureau once every ten years. The tool utilizes the census tract boundaries from 2010. This was chosen because many of the data sources in the tool currently use the 2010 census boundaries."PurposeThe goal of the Justice40 Initiative is to provide 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments in [eight] key areas to disadvantaged communities. These [eight] key areas are: climate change, clean energy and energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable and sustainable housing, training and workforce development, the remediation and reduction of legacy pollution, [health burdens] and the development of critical clean water infrastructure." Source: Climate and Economic Justice Screening tool"Sec. 219. Policy. To secure an equitable economic future, the United States must ensure that environmental and economic justice are key considerations in how we govern. That means investing and building a clean energy economy that creates well‑paying union jobs, turning disadvantaged communities — historically marginalized and overburdened — into healthy, thriving communities, and undertaking robust actions to mitigate climate change while preparing for the impacts of climate change across rural, urban, and Tribal areas. Agencies shall make achieving environmental justice part of their missions by developing programs, policies, and activities to address the disproportionately high and adverse human health, environmental, climate-related and other cumulative impacts on disadvantaged communities, as well as the accompanying economic challenges of such impacts. It is therefore the policy of my Administration to secure environmental justice and spur economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities that have been historically marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment in housing, transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure, and health care." Source: Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and AbroadUse of this Data"The pilot identifies 21 priority programs to immediately begin enhancing benefits for disadvantaged communities. These priority programs will provide a blueprint for other agencies to help inform their work to implement the Justice40 Initiative across government." Source: The Path to Achieving Justice 40The layer has some transparency applied to allow it to work sufficiently well on top of many basemaps. For optimum map display where streets and labels are clearly shown on top of this layer, try one of the Human Geography basemaps and set transparency to 0%, as is done in this example web map.Browse the DataView the Data tab in the top right of this page to browse the data in a table and view the metadata available for each field, including field name, field alias, and a field description explaining what the field represents.Symbology updated 2/19/2023 to show additional tracts whose overlap with tribal lands is greater than 0% but less than 1%, to be designated as "Partially Disadvantaged" alongside tracts whose overlap with tribal lands is 1% or more.