Comment Log Display

My name is Cecilia Mejia, and I'm submitting a public comment in a
personal capacity, but also work in another role as a Councilmember
to the Community Advisory Council (CAC) of the Bay Area Air Quality
Management District. I am calling in support of Bayview Hunters
Point being selected for the next cycle of Community Emission
Reduction Plans (CERP) pursuant to AB 617.

The Bayview Hunters Point has faced and is facing unique
environmental justice challenges. The CARB designation can support
local residents by highlighting and identifying actions to address
localized air pollution through a work plan that is created by and
for the community and led by Bayview Hunters Point Community
Advocates and the Marie Harrison Community Foundation.

Historically, the State of California has struggled to map
so-called Disadvantaged Communities with EJ mapping tools, with an
early version of the mapping tool NOT including Bayview-Hunters
Point. Fortunately, CalEnviroScreen has improved significantly
since then to include Bayview-Hunters Point, SoMa, and the
Tenderloin, and we'd also like to thank the California Air
Resources Board for using a more inclusive definition of "Priority
Populations."

I want to stress the importance of the Community Emission Reduction
Plans in prioritizing residential health and safety and effectively
addressing community air pollution concerns like industrial
facilities and superfund sites.