Environmental justice assessment notices
The Healthy Environment for All Act (HEAL Act) requires specific state agencies to conduct an environmental justice assessment for significant agency actions.
- The development and adoption of significant legislative rules as defined in RCW 34.05.328.
- The development and adoption of any new grant or loan program that the agency is explicitly authorized or required by statute to implement.
- A capital project, grant, or loan award costing at least $12,000,000.
- A transportation project, grant, or loan costing at least $15,000,000.
- The submission of agency request legislation to the Office of the Governor or OFM for approval.
An environmental justice assessment is a process to:
- identify and assess the impacts of a significant agency action on overburdened communities, vulnerable populations, and Tribes;
- solicit community and tribal input in the development of the action and on options to mitigate, reduce or eliminate harms and equitably distribute benefits associated with the action;
- report on how the agency did or did not modify the action based upon community and tribal input.
The goal of an EJ assessment is to help a state agency make decisions and to assist with:
- equitably distributing environmental benefits;
- reducing environmental harms;
- identifying and reducing environmental and health disparities through the implementation of the action.
Agencies covered by the HEAL Act or who have opted in to the HEAL Act requirements include these departments:
- Agriculture (WSDA)
- Commerce
- Ecology
- Health (DOH)
- Natural Resources (DNR)
- Transportation (WSDOT)
- Office of the Attorney General
- Puget Sound Partnership (PSP)
Under RCW 70A.02.090 each covered agency must file a notice with us of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment. We prepare a list of all filings received from covered agencies each week to post here every Friday.
Below is list of state agency environmental justice assessments that you can filter by agency or type of action, or use the search bar to find certains terms. Select the "+" symbol for desciptions of the action, how the public can provide input, and a link to the EJ assessment when completed. For a dashboard summarizing the assessments received to date, see the HEAL Act dashboards.
| Date submitted |
Date initiated |
Date completed | Agency | Type | Agency action | Description | Methods for providing public comment | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/01/2023 | 11/01/2023 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Rulemaking announcement: Amending Emergency Drought Relief, 173-166 WAC | Ecology is beginning a rulemaking to amend Chapter 173-166 WAC to streamline administration of emergency drought funding when a drought is declared. As droughts become more common with a changing climate, an updated drought rule will provide increased efficiency and transparency of emergency drought relief when a drought is declared. With the establishment of a permanent source of funding, an update to the rule will help streamline the process to distribute funding upon a drought declaration. This statewide rule amendment is also intended to consider options to integrate equity strategies into emergency drought funding distribution procedures, including considerations identified under the Healthy Environment for All Act. Eligible entities for emergency drought funding are (according to law, RCW 43.83B). • Federally recognized Tribes • Counties, cities, and towns • Water and sewer districts • Public utility districts • Port districts • Conservation districts • Irrigation districts • Watershed management partnerships | Ecology plans to conduct engagement for this assessment in late winter and early spring 2024 that focuses on assessing impacts to overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, alongside the rulemaking engagement. This will likely include virtual meetings, online public comments, and outreach with community-based organizations, including agricultural related. As Ecology plans out engagement opportunities for this assessment, they will be posted at the link below at the water resources program email list (https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAECY/subscriber/new?topic_id=WA...). |
Ongoing |
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| 11/28/2023 | 10/23/2023 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Electric Vehicle Incentive Program (Phase 1 – Design) | Design multi-phase incentives program mechanisms to increase EV adoption. Early phases of the program will be focused on point-of-sale rebates. | Community Meetings, email comments, stakeholder Interviews, web-based comment form. DRAFT EJA LINKED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT |
Ongoing Washington Electric Vehicle Incentive Program |
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| 10/19/2023 | 10/19/2023 | 01/14/2024 | Ecology, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Carbon market linkage changes | The Department of Ecology is considering proposing legislation that would modify the Cap-and-Invest Program to allow linking the Washington’s carbon market with the joint California-Quebec market, creating a single shared market. A legislative proposal will only be put forward for consideration if Ecology’s Director decides to pursue linkage. Parts of the law that might be proposed to be amended include, but are not limited to, changes to purchase limits, auction application timelines, and other provisions | The public may comment at any time by visiting the agency webpage below. The Department will also host two public listening sessions on this agency request legislation on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m and Thursday, Oct. 26, at 9 a.m. More information on the listening session is located on the agency webpage. |
Cap-and-Invest Program Agency Request Legislation |
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| 10/14/2024 | 10/17/2023 | Ongoing | Agriculture, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Amending chapter 16-303 WAC to increase seed certification fees | In response to a petition for rule making submitted by the Washington State Crop Improvement Association (WSCIA), the department is considering amending WAC 16-303-340 by increasing fees to align with the current cost of providing certification services, add quinoa as a crop that is certified under this section and otherwise align with the department’s seed certification rules and fees. | TBD |
Ongoing |
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| 02/08/2024 | 10/02/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | SR 525 Mukilteo Bridge over Railroad – Bridge Replacement | The existing SR 525 bridge overcrossing the railroad in the city of Mukilteo is functionally obsolete and does not meet the multimodal traffic and active transportation needs for accessing the new ferry terminal. The intended Significant Agency Action includes constructing a new bridge and updating channelization of the roadway to improve bridge integrity, roadway continuity, and roadway capacity. | Online open house, listening sessions, workshops |
Ongoing |
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| 11/20/2023 | 09/26/2023 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Grants to Community-Based Organizations to Support Participation in Local Planning | The department shall establish funding levels for grants to community-based organizations for the specific purpose of advancing participation of vulnerable populations and overburdened communities in the planning process during the GMA periodic update cycle. | Commerce will send out a GovDelivery email to elicit comments via email and a web-based comment form. |
Ongoing |
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| 10/18/2023 | 09/26/2023 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | WA Electric Vehicle Charging Program | Given the mission is simple: to reduce emissions, improve air quality and promote equitable access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The program offers $64 million in awards for organizations installing EV chargers at certain sites, with a focus on multifamily housing, publicly available charging and tribal locations. The Washington Electric Vehicle Charging Program helps fund infrastructure that supports clean transportation in communities across Washington. We're reducing transportation emissions, improving air quality, and ensuring EV charging access for all. This new grant program includes program design, project initiation, outreach and technical assistance to the community, award selection, and project implementation to reach the goal of facilitating the installation of at least 200 direct current fast charging (DCFC) ports and 2,000 Level 2 (L2) charging ports across Washington. | Throughout the community engagement, outreach, and technical assistance process, public comment and feedback is being collected with a focus on assessing opportunities, barriers, and mitigation suggestions by participants and the community. EJA OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AT LINK BELOW Zoom webinar about the program and the EJA: When: Sep 12, 2024 04:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Topic: WAEVCP EJA Public Comment Webinar Register in advance for this webinar: https://wastatecommerce.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_77dWs2foTc-e5yB9BawHJg |
Ongoing Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Grant Program |
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| 12/04/2023 | 09/19/2023 | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Clarifying, updating and modifying office of homeless youth prevention and protection statutes | This is Department of Commerce, Housing Division, agency request legislation related to several technical clarifications that are needed in RCWs to improve the administration of Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) grant programs. The current RCW language presents barriers to the successful implementation of OHY programs or contributes to a lack of clarity about OHY's roles and responsibilities. The requested changes originated from requests from community providers and lived experts. | Community engagement on these technical fixes already took place, with the changes being developed in consultation with Office of Homeless Youth advisory groups and stakeholders. Since these are small technical fixes, we don't anticipate future concerns from stakeholders. We don't anticipate any impacts on Tribal Nations or lands. |
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| 11/29/2023 | 09/15/2023 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Grant: Coordinating Low-Income Housing Planning | Commerce is initiating a new grant program ($500,000) to support t coordination of land use planning and homeless service planning to better plan for our state’s housing needs as both disciplines update their planning documents for the future over the next two years. | Given the planning focus of the grant and the statewide reach of the grant, our outreach involved contacting key representatives in each county (land use planners and homeless service entities) to get feedback on the grant through an online survey (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/80941850449144d491d23ee70281ca9b). The survey opened on 11/13/23 and will be open through 12/1/23. In addition to the survey, we conducted a listening session on Nov. 20th advertised to all those who received the survey. With this feedback, we will tailor both the grant parameters and the award prioritization criteria. |
Ongoing |
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| 09/14/2023 | 09/14/2023 | 07/21/2023 | Ecology, Department of | New grant or loan program | Water Security Drought Grant Initiative | Ecology is developing a new pilot grant initiative focused on local water security preparedness and planning in the context of drought. In 2024, Ecology will make $1.8 million available statewide via competitive grants for Tribes and local applicants to plan for future water security. These plans will identify the specific actions, and associated costs and timeframes, a local community intends to take to increase its water supply security as it faces the burden of intensifying severity and expanding drought conditions as our climate continues to change. While designed to benefit all members of a given local community, this water security grant program will prioritize the water security for Federally recognized Tribal governments, overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations. | Ecology invites comments and questions from people in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations, including water systems that include overburdened and vulnerable members of that community. Information about the EJ Assessment and the grant program are available on the program website. Members of the public can direct their comments to Caroline Mellor, Water Resources HEAL ACT lead at Caroline.Mellor@ecy.wa.gov. |
Completed Chapter 173-167 WAC Emergency Drought Funding: An Environmental Justice Assessment |
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| 09/13/2023 | 09/13/2023 | 11/28/2023 | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Repealing the greenhouse gas content calculation requirement in RCW 19.405.070 | This bill repeals a statute enacted in 2019 that requires that electric utilities submit to Commerce a calculation of the greenhouse gas content of the electricity they supply to their customers. This report is unnecessary because more complete and stringent reporting requirements were enacted by the Legislature in 2021. | This bill would not result in any positive or negative environmental or health outcomes for communities in Washington and is therefore found to not be SAA. The public may provide comments during committee public hearings in the legislative session, but Commerce does not plan to conduct additional outreach. |
Completed Repealing the greenhouse gas content calculation requirement in RCW 19.405.070 |
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| 09/12/2023 | 09/12/2023 | Ongoing | Ecology, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Cap-and-Invest Offsets Rulemaking (Chapter 173-446 WAC) | Ecology is considering amendments to Chapter 173-446 WAC to address new and revised cap and invest offset protocols. Offsets are projects or programs designed to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. In Washington’s cap-and-invest program, offset projects must also provide direct environmental benefits to our state. Offsets allow businesses to balance out the negative impacts of their emissions by funding a project that benefits the environment such as capturing methane on dairy farms or planting trees in urban areas. The scope of this rulemaking will include consideration of protocol updates or addition of new protocols to increase the potential variety of offset projects that can be developed within the cap-and-invest program, as directed by RCW 70A.65.170(4)(b). This statute directs Ecology to conduct rulemaking that ensures that any updates or additions to the offset program are both based in the best available science, and support the needs of landowners and communities in Washington state. | Ecology is initiating this environmental justice assessment and the rulemaking process and will provide engagement opportunities that include public meetings and comment periods. As we schedule opportunities for feedback and participation, we will share them through our website and distribution list. Please visit the rulemaking’s webpage or sign up for email updates here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WAECY/subscriber/new?topic_id=WA... . Please contact Nikki Harris at nikki.harris@ecy.wa.gov for comments or questions. |
Ongoing |
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| 12/03/2024 | 09/04/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | New grant or loan program | Alternative Drinking Water Program | The DOH is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment on the Alternative Drinking Water Program (ADWP). This program was created with 2023-2025 funding provided through ESSB 5187. The goal of the ADWP is to assist with access to safe drinking water if private wells or Group B water supplies are impacted by contamination. Group B systems serve fewer than 15 residential connections and less than 25 people per day. | • Keep up to date through the website https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/drinking-water/water-system... • Sign up for electronic notices at odw-adwp@doh.wa.gov • For questions about the ADWP or the EJ Assessment, contact us at odw-adwp@doh.wa.gov |
Ongoing |
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| 11/28/2023 | 09/01/2023 | 12/05/2023 | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Solar Consumer Protections | This legislative proposal would establish solar consumer protections in statute. Commerce has developed this proposal after hearing about an increase in problematic sales and installation practices of distributed solar energy systems. The proposal focuses on contracts between solar energy contractors and residential or commercial property owners. The language would establish required contract provisions to make customers aware of what services they will and will not receive. The contract provisions would be enforceable in a legal proceeding or under RCW 19.86 (the Consumer Protection Act). | Commerce held a public workshop on the proposal on September 27, 2023 to share information and collect input. This fall, Commerce's Energy Division has been hosting meetings around the state on a potential statewide energy bill assistance program. At those meetings, we are sharing a fact sheet on the solar consumer protections legislative proposal and information on how to provide input. Commerce is continuing to accept public input through this smartsheet form: https://tinyurl.com/solarleg. |
Completed Solar Consumer Protections |
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| 11/28/2023 | 09/01/2023 | 12/05/2023 | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Promoting equitable economic and technological advancement through the Clean Energy Fund | This legislative proposal would codify the Clean Energy Fund as a permanent program at the Department of Commerce and establish the central principles and rules of the program. The Clean Energy Fund (CEF) was established as a Governor Inslee initiative in 2013 and has been championed by his administration. It is critical to establish permanence for this program so that it can continue to provide the investments needed to accelerate Washington’s transition to clean energy and ensure that all communities are able to participate in and benefit from this transition. CEF not only catalyzes the development of new technologies needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but it also enables adaptation of these technologies to suit the different needs and conditions of communities throughout the state. The Legislature has provided biennial funding for investments through the CEF which has resulted in a reincarnation of the program every two years. Establishing the CEF program in statute creates continuity, establishes clear objectives for a permanent program, and enables the program to be responsive to policy, market transformation and local needs. It also signals the Legislature's enduring commitment to partner with communities to achieve a clean, affordable, resilient and just energy future. | The Department of Commerce seeks regular feedback and community input on how we design and implement Clean Energy Fund (CEF) grant opportunities. This includes workshops on funding opportunities and regular engagement with entities participating in and interested in applying to CEF. In 2020, an Energy and Climate Advisory Committee was convened to evaluate how CEF could be improved and made more accessible. Many of the recommendations of the Committee's report have been incorporated into this proposal. Most recently, the Department of Commerce issued a Request for Information this fall on how to implement the latest round of funding under the Clean Energy Fund. Commerce's overarching goal is to ensure that access to CEF funds is equitable and that implementation of CEF reduces burdens that can prevent communities from participating in clean energy innovation. Notably, the proposed legislative language would require Commerce to give priority to applications for projects that benefit vulnerable populations and overburdened communities. |
Completed Codifying the Clean Energy Fund |
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| 09/13/2023 | 08/31/2023 | Action did not move forward | Ecology, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Dredge-and-fill permit program | Ecology is proposing legislation that would direct the agency to establish a permit program and grant authorization to consider a fee for a “dredge-and-fill” permit that is being developed in response to the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency | The public may comment at any time by visiting the agency webpage below. The Department will also host two public listening sessions on this agency request legislation on October 5, 2023, at 3:00 pm and 5:30 pm. More information on the listening session is located on the agency webpage. |
Action did not move forward Ecology did not ultimately pursue this legislation. |
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| 09/08/2023 | 08/31/2023 | 11/28/2023 | Commerce, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Buy Clean and Buy Fair | This bill would address embodied carbon by requiring reporting on environmental and workforce impacts associated with the production of building materials used in state building construction projects. The key provisions in this bill include reporting on three categories of building materials (concrete, steel, and wood) used in covered projects, development of a database to track data, manage compliance, and promote transparency, and convening a technical work group to provide recommendations on future policy and program development. | Public comments for Buy Clean and Buy Fair can be directed to seep@commerce.wa.gov. The State Efficiency and Environmental Performance Office (SEEP) will work with the Community Engagement and Tribal Relations teams at Commerce to schedule virtual and in-person outreach and engagement opportunities. Additional details on outreach strategies are included in the environmental justice assessment for Buy Clean and Buy Fair. |
Completed Buy Clean and Buy Fair Legislation |
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| 04/18/2024 | 08/28/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | SR 900/57th Ave S to S 135th – Environmental Justice Assessment | Construct buffered shared-use-path; pedestrian illumination; retaining wall, ADA-compliant curb ramps, relocate signal cabinet; upgrade and relocate pedestrian push buttons to Accessible Pedestrian Signals; new traffic controls, and marked pedestrian crossings. The combination of elements will altogether reduce the level of stress for users. | To be determined. |
Ongoing |
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| 12/07/2023 | 08/25/2023 | 07/22/2024 | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Grants to Community Based Organizations to Support Participation in Local Planning | The Department of Commerce shall establish a grant program for community-based organizations for the specific purpose of advancing participation of vulnerable populations and overburdened communities in the planning process during the GMA periodic update cycle. | The department will send GovDelivery emails and create a web-based comment form and accept comments via email or phone. |
Completed Grants to Community Based Organizations to Support Participation in Local Planning |
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| 08/01/2023 | 08/01/2023 | 05/20/2024 | Health, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program Rulemaking | The Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an environmental justice assessment for rulemaking under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program (Chapter 246-296 WAC). Through this rulemaking, we will determine qualifications for "disadvantaged community" status within this program. The DWSRF program supports safe and reliable drinking water by providing infrastructure loans, grants, and loan principal forgiveness for public water systems across Washington. | The DWSRF team has shared draft criteria and tools for identifying "disadvantaged communities" on the DWSRF website (https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/drinking-water/water-system...) and comments can be sent to DWSRF@doh.wa.gov. We are also planning virtual and in-person community engagement events to take place from August 2023 - January 2024. After draft rule language is posted (anticipated April 2024), we will hold a 60-day formal public comment period (anticipated April - May 2024). |
Completed EJ Assessment Report: Chapter 246-296 WAC a Rule Concerning Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program |
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| 08/25/2023 | 08/01/2023 | 03/04/2024 | Agriculture, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Agricultural Pest and Disease Revolving Funds | This significant agency action establishes permanent funding to prepare for, prevent, detect, contain, and eradicate identified agricultural pest and disease threats before they become established and authorizes funding for WSDA to take immediate actions to build capacity, execute rapid response, and maintain trade resiliency. | Members of the public can direct their comments on this significant agency action to envjustice@agr.wa.gov. Community engagement, particularly in communities identified as overburdened for this significant agency action, will also occur as part of the development of the environmental justice assessment. |
Completed An Environmental Justice Assessment of the Establishment of an Agricultural Pest & Disease Revolving Fund |
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| 08/25/2023 | 08/01/2023 | 09/13/2023 | Agriculture, Department of | Agency-request legislation | Private Cannabis Lab Accreditation Transition from Ecology to WSDA | This significant agency action moves the authority to conduct lab accreditation of private cannabis laboratories from the Dept. of Ecology to WSDA. | Members of the public can direct their comments on this significant agency action to envjustice@agr.wa.gov. Community engagement, particularly in any communities identified as overburdened for this significant agency action, will also occur as part of the development of the environmental justice assessment. |
Completed An Environmental Justice Assessment of Transferring the Authority to Accredit Cannabis Labs from ECY to WSDAs |
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| 02/08/2024 | 07/27/2023 | Ongoing | Transportation, Department of | Transportation project, grant, or loan of at least $15 million | I-90 Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities | The goal of the I-90/Judkins Park Station – Reconnecting Communities Study is to recommend changes to the WSDOT I-90 ramps at Rainier Avenue South to improve the safe travel of all modes, especially safe access to the JPS Link station via transit transfer, walk and roll. | Online open house, listening sessions, workshops |
Ongoing |
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| 07/21/2023 | 07/18/2023 | 10/23/2024 | Puget Sound Partnership | Capital project, grant, or loan award of at least $12 million | PSAR Large Capital Grant Round Request for Proposals | The Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration large capital grant round requested proposals for projects that recover salmon and protect and recover salmon habitat in Puget Sound. The state legislature appropriates money for PSAR every 2 years in the Capital Budget. The projects selected and ranked on a Capital Projects list will be part of the Capital Budget request submitted for the 2025 Legislative session. | Community engagement followed our agency's draft community engagement and tribal engagement policies. The Salmon Team with guidance from our Environmental Justice Team scheduled outreach opportunities, offered tribal consultation, and provided an online public comment form to collect responses. |
Completed EJA Report: Development of the PSAR 2025-27 Request for Proposal |
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| 03/04/2024 | 07/01/2023 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | New grant or loan program | Transit Oriented Development of Affordable Housing - Match Program | Competitively awarded funding, managed by Commerce's Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU), for Transit Oriented Affordable Housing development. The language of the budget (ESSB 5200, Section 1022) laid out very specific parameters regarding both size and location of projects. As written, projects must be no smaller than 100 units in size, and must be located within 1/2 mile of light or commuter rail, or within 1/4 mile of bus rapid transit. this creates a very limited area in which projects can be sited (principally along the I-5 or I-405 corridors in King County), and effectively requires a high level of development experience from any interested organization, or partnership with a consultant that brings such experience. | An SAA was published to Commerce's webpage on 9/13/2023, and a public forum was held via Zoom in October of 2023. while the public forum's primary concern was to confirm Commerce's understanding of the budget language and articulate its plans for implementation, space was held for discussion concerning Environmental Justice considerations. MHU is working with Commerce's internal Environmental Justice workgroup to explore additional pathways to involve communities. |
Ongoing |
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| 04/10/2024 | 06/14/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | New grant or loan program | HEAL Capacity Grants | The DOH is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment on HEAL Capacity Grants totaling $26,355,000 as outlined in Engrossed Second Substitute Bill 5187. These grants are intended to build capacity among tribes, tribal organizations, overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations so these groups may provide guidance and input to the state government and the Environmental Justice Council on the implementation of the Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act of 2021 and updates and maintenance of the Environmental Health Disparities (EHD) Map. | Opportunities for public engagement and updates will be posted to the agency site linked below. |
Ongoing |
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| 04/10/2024 | 06/14/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | New grant or loan program | Community Informed Budgeting Grant | The Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment on a grant program to fund projects that benefit overburdened communities. In 2023, the legislature directed DOH to design and implement a participatory budgeting process. “Participatory budgeting” is a term used to describe processes where residents help decide how to spend a part of a public budget. The DOH will work with a community advisory committee to first identify five geographically diverse overburdened communities. In collaboration with these five communities, the DOH will co-create a process to identify climate resilience and decarbonization projects. The communities will vote on projects and the selected projects will be presented to the Washington state legislature. Once approved by the legislature in 2025, these projects will be funded up to $32,600,000. | Opportunities for public engagement and updates will be posted to the agency website below. |
Ongoing |
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| 04/10/2024 | 06/14/2023 | Ongoing | Health, Department of | New grant or loan program | Workplace Safety and Climate Change Grant Program | The Washington Department of Health (DOH) is conducting an Environmental Justice Assessment on a $10,000,000 grant provided by the legislature “solely to support and administer a workplace health and safety program for workers who are affected by climate impacts, including but not limited to, extreme heat and cold, wildfire smoke, drought, and flooding. This program will focus on workplace health and safety for farmworkers, construction workers, and other workers who face the most risk from climate-related impacts” (pg. 325 ESSB 5187). | Opportunities for public engagement and updates will be posted to the agency site linked below. |
Ongoing |
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| 01/11/2024 | 05/01/2023 | Ongoing | Commerce, Department of | Significant legislative rules | Updating Housing WACs | This project involves updating the Washington Administrative Codes to implement 17 pieces of legislation recently adopted that change portions of the Growth Management Act with many actions intended to make housing more affordable and accessible to people of all income levels. The burden of complying with these rules falls upon municipalities and the changes will be directly relevant to individuals in cities and counties required to implement new housing policies. These rule changes do not apply to Native American Tribes. | We have an email list of interested parties numbering almost 200. We update and communicate through this list, as well as through our online portal. We intend to have two virtual public listening sessions once a full draft is available. We will accept public feedback at these listening sessions and online and will have a 30-to-60-day comment period. A public hearing is also required as part of the Rulemaking process. |
Ongoing |
