MAC Critical of State Influence on Environmental Plan

At its Monday night meeting, the Castro Valley Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) heard another lengthy update on the Environmental Justice Element (EJE) of the county’s General Plan. The MAC ultimately approved county staff’s work but remained skeptical about the practicality behind this state-mandated action.

The EJE is part of the County’s General Plan that focuses on the “priority communities” of Ashland, Cherryland, Hayward Acres, and parts of Castro Valley and San Lorenzo.

In 2016, the state Senate passed a bill (SB 1000) that established environmental justice requirements for all cities and counties in California. The Alameda County Community Development Agency is in the process of preparing the “environmental justice element” and plans to present it for adoption by the Board of Supervisors in April or May.

Under SB 1000, all cities and counties in California must add an EJE to their general plans.

The EJE contains goals and policies to reduce health risks in disadvantaged communities. The focus includes decreasing exposure to pollution and increasing access to public facilities, healthy food, safe and sanitary homes, physical activity, and increasing civic engagement in public decision-making processes.

As at previous meetings where EJE divisions took place, the MAC said they supported the ideas presented but were concerned that there were no real plans or actions behind the buzzwords and that the state was too involved in local matters.

“I don’t think this is really a fair document so far,” said MAC member Chuck Moore, who also lamented that it focused on urban areas over agricultural ones. “Once again, my issue is with the state, not with the local.”

In fact, the entire MAC repeatedly emphasized that they appreciated all the work county staff did in preparing the EJE but were frustrated that the state made such mandates.

MAC members said they understood that staff must comply with SB 1000 but questioned what kind of actual policies - if any- would be put into place and what staff and resources could be devoted to any new initiatives.

The MAC also pointed out that no set budgets or timelines were associated with the EJE.

MAC member Shannon Killebrew also questioned how there could be an EJE document that does not address climate change.

And MAC member Ken Carbone said that the document was toothless.

“It’s not law,” said Carbone. “It’s not a regulation- it’s an expression of intent.”

Further, the MAC called the EJE document generic and said it would basically fit any community, not Castro Valley, especially.

“I’m getting sick and tired of the county being run by Sacramento,” said MAC chair Bill Mulgrew. “I don’t think this document really serves the people of Alameda County.”

A full copy of the current draft of the EJE is available at www.acgov/org/cda/planning/generalplan/engagement