Environmental Justice Roundtable

A discussion with DNREC and

Environmental Justice Community residents

to help define, improve, and promote good communications

Findings Report

Prepared by

Technical Assistance to Brownfields Community Program (NJIT TAB)

Presented to

July 3, 2019

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) designed and conducted this workshop at the request of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control through NJIT’s Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program (NJIT TAB). NJIT TAB is funded through a cooperative agreement from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Information on the NJIT TAB Program can be found at www.njit.edu/tab.

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INTRODUCTION The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) requested the assistance of the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in designing and conducting a workshop for the purpose of obtaining the input of Environmental Justice Communities towards improving the way DNREC communicates with such communities. NJIT provided these services through its Technical Assistance to Brownfields Communities Program (NJIT TAB). NJIT TAB has been designated as the TAB provider by the USEPA for EPA Region 3, which includes the State of Delaware. USEPA provides funding to NJIT through a Cooperative Agreement that allows NJIT to provide free technical assistance to government entities and nonprofits. PLANNING THE WORKSHOP NJIT and members of several DNREC departments worked collaboratively to design the workshop through a series of phone calls and email exchanges. DNREC was responsible for: selecting the workshop date/time, selecting and reserving the venue, advertising the event, registration, and securing the participation of several facilitators to supplement NJIT’s facilitators. NJIT was responsible for: developing a draft workshop framework including the workshop content and activities aimed at garnering attendee participation, conducting the event, and preparing this report. NJIT’s draft framework and agenda were reviewed, revised, and approved by DNREC.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ROUNDTABLE The DNREC-sponsored Environmental Justice Roundtable was held on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 10:30am to 1:30pm in the Rt. 9 Library & Innovation Center located at 3022 New Castle Avenue, New Castle, Delaware. The purpose of the workshop was to obtain feedback from community members on how DNREC can improve the way it communicates with communities and the way communities can better communicate with DNREC. Approximately 20 community members (hereinafter referred to as the ‘participants’) attended the workshop. The workshop facilitators included three NJIT staff, as well as representatives from DNREC and the University of Delaware. Appendix A contains a list of attendees.

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DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin opened the workshop with a welcome, stressing the purpose and importance of the event. NJIT representatives followed with an overview of the workshop activities. After the workshop activities were conducted, Secretary Garvin conducted a Question and Answer session, then closed the workshop with his thanks to all participants. Appendix B contains the workshop agenda. THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANT ACTIVITIES

The workshop was designed to be inclusive and interactive. As the goal of the workshop was to hear as many community voices as possible, workshop activities included small group discussions, and use of polling software. Dividing the participants into small groups allowed for each person to voice his/her views, as well as engage in meaningful discussions on the relevant topics. The polling software allowed participants to answer questions using their smartphones, and visualize their responses, as well as other participants’ responses in real-time. (Results were projected on a screen, visible to all participants.) A facilitator

led each small group discussion, and each small group had a note taker. There were four small groups in this workshop. The participants’ comments were written or summarized on large flip chart pages that were visible to all small group participants. All flip chart pages prepared by the note takers for each table are contained in the appendices, as noted below. PARTICIPANT INPUT BY ACTIVITY The workshop was divided into four activities. Each activity covered a different topic under the overall theme of improving communications. Participant input is provided under each activity heading below.

Activity #1: Imagine

This activity began with the question: “Imagine excellent, effective, and engaging two-way communication between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and your community. What would that look like?” Participants were asked to answer the question with short phrases and to submit those answers with their smart phones via Mentimeter software. The general themes that emerged in the participants’ answers included DNREC meeting with and in the communities, the communities having a voice heard by DNREC (including creation of an advisory board),

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and engagement activities between DNREC and community members (meetings, workshops, listening sessions, etc.). All participant input is contained in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

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After participants submitted their responses, each small group discussed this question and generated more input. Provided below is a summary of participant input. All participant responses from each small group are contained in Appendix C.

An excellent, effective, and engaging two-way communication between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and EJ communities would:

adopt environmental justice principals into process avoid tone deaf approaches be proactive in sharing information include two-way transparent communications and foster collaboration comply with OSHA regulations include the community:

o a completely independent representative – not a DNREC employee o have the community at the table from the very beginning of the planning

process before any grant applications are submitted o have an advisory council (working group) that meets regularly and only

when meetings would be of substance (don’t meet for the sake of meeting)

o have one point person representing the communities (State EJ Director) that DNREC would communicate with

o have one specific state person to visit communities and communicate with local representatives to bring information back to DNREC

o have DNREC attend/participate in civic association meetings o engage community representatives in the decision-making before

industries begin development o include the Route 9 Corridor and the EJ issues specific to this area (19801

and 19720) educate the public:

o on DNREC’s roles and responsibilities and explain who DNREC works for/answers to

o on national issues on specific industries and specific pollution o on research studies about public health o on how the community can engage during the process (differences

between states, local communities, etc.) o on topics such as zoning and permitting

identify key stakeholders and limitations, and list community representatives on the website

have comprehensive, multidimensional public notice, including the opportunity for public comment

have community engagements result in quantifiable actions have industry communicate/engage with communities acknowledge that complaints/concerns were heard and addressed by DNREC

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Activity # 2 Reaching Out

The purpose of this activity was to determine how DNREC can better reach out to communities and how communities can better connect with DNREC. The questions asked in each small group are listed below. Provided under each question is a consolidation of participant input (input from all four small groups in one list). All responses from each small group are contained in Appendix D.

What would be the most effective ways DNREC could communicate with Environmental Justice communities?

through various groups/organizations/venues including: black faith-based organizations, community centers, civic associations, City of Wilmington – Riverfront, monthly school board meetings in the Colonial School District, in schools (educate children, who would then pass the information along to their parents), labor unions, NGOs, nonprofits, recreation associations

through a partnership between Environmental Justice organizations and DNREC’s technical/administrative staff

through a designated community liaison through an advisory council that includes community members through community meetings/events in which local industries also participate through a shared calendar with events, meetings, etc. (or educate community of

existing calendar) through multiple communication mechanisms, such as:

o Social media (i.e., DNREC Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) o Public access television o Newsletters/mailers/flyers, notices in utility bills o Email- list servers o Door-to-door o Telephone (cell and land line)

Community Information Service/text alerts (i.e., Nixle, phone chain, robo calls)

Issue: land lines vs. cell phones (make sure to register your cell phones)

Have a 1-800 number that provides information for the community Use instant/automatic text messaging

o Website One stop shopping for information and resources

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Information sharing Community driven Make it easy to navigate

o Word of Mouth: Identify initial stakeholder group, including various EJ organizations, to share information with. That group would then further disseminates the information i.e., “word of mouth”.

through DNREC-sponsored community workshops; topics should include: o hazardous chemicals in the community o permitted land uses o what local industries make/process o how environmental restrictions have helped people (50 years ago vs.

today) o how green (tress, etc.) can absorb pollution o overcoming food deserts

Other participant input included: o DNREC needs to follow through with constant, sustained contact and with

consistent and accurate information. o The communication must be aware of the racist structures that exist and

not be complicit in their existence. o DNREC must attempt to schedule meetings that fit with peoples’

schedules. Meeting venue must be easily accessible.

What would be the most effective ways Environmental Justice Communities could communicate with DNREC?

through a community advisory board through a designated contact at DNREC (should be someone from the community) through the Environmental Justice organizations by having community members actively involved in DNREC meetings and trainings through a third party website – to submit violations/concerns

Who should receive those communications?

NAACP Climate Justice community organizations, groups, stakeholders, and non-profits Sussex County Delaware Concerned Residents for Environmental Justice State Environmental Justice Director Kent County – tribal government representatives Michelle Roberts Stephany Herron Sierra Club Earth Justice affected communities technical assistance provider [Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project,

Inc. (SERCAP)] elected officials

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inter-agency communications civic associations

When should that information be communicated?

timeliness three weeks to one month when an issue is resolved

How will the community know it has been heard by DNREC?

when we see change/results DNREC attending regular meetings within the community two-way feedback – knowing we are being heard

Activity # 3 Communication Content

The purpose of this activity was to determine the type of information the participants felt should be provided by DNREC. The questions asked in each small group are listed below. Provided under each question is a consolidation of participant input (input from all four small groups in one list). All responses from each small group are contained in Appendix E.

What type of information does the community need?

DNREC’s mission, vision, divisions, responsibilities, authority, projects

how the community is zoned how the community can engage in the process

(what, where, when, how, who, why) business/industry coming into the community information on what uses are going to be built

prior to construction (Permit applicants should be required to conduct community outreach before the permit is issued. Do this through state representatives.)

the requirements of industry to report releases emergency situations any activity that impacts the local community/environment the environmental and health impacts on the community results of DNREC projects

o success or failures o stages of projects o air quality/water quality o regular updates

pollution and compliance enforcements – such as why are some debris piles covered and others are not

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the importance of industries in the communities (what is made where and how) answers to questions about an issue detailed post-event (such as a spill) notification

What type of information does the community want (e.g., education on issues)?

People want to know they matter (in the process) visual aids – site, map, etc. examples – demonstration sites/projects technical resources the scientific and technical knowledge/documents/studies that show or

demonstrate the issues in the community air quality monitoring information and new equipment available for use topics: what is in the food supply? How to solve a food desert. What is going in to

the air, water, soil? What are buildings required to do to be green?

Is there a language barrier (foreign languages, jargon)?

The use of jargon and acronyms is a major issue. Clear definitions of frequently use terms should be provided. Technical information should be interpreted in a digestible/understandable way. Simplicity is needed. Use terms the average person can understand. Public notices need to have simplified language or be annotated with

explanations of jargon. The language needs of non-English speaking communities must be addressed. Utilize people from the University of Delaware as experts that can interpret

technical information to the community.

Activity # 4 Word Clouds

Participants were asked to answer the following questions with their smart phones via Mentimeter software: What words describe the current communication between DNREC and EJ communities? and What words describe the ideal communication between DNREC and EJ communities? The answers to each question formed a Word Cloud - an image composed of words inputted by the participants where the size of each word indicates its frequency of participant input. The most common words used to describe the current communication between DNREC and EJ communities were inconsistent, lacking, distrustful, dismissive, disconnected, incomplete, and none. Overall, the words used to describe the current conditions were negative. Figure 2 contains this Word Cloud.

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Figure 2

The most common words used to describe the ideal communication between DNREC and EJ communities were: transparent, collaborative consistent, informed, open, and honest. Figure 3 contains this Word Cloud. Figure 3

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MAJOR THEMES Several major themes emerged from the participant input. They are:

Distrust: A certain amount of distrust of DNREC exists resulting from DNREC’s past approaches to communication and inclusion (or lack thereof).

Racism: Participants want DNREC officials and staff to be educated on structural racism as well as cultural sensitivity.

Environmental Justice Principals: Participants want an acknowledgement and incorporation of Environmental Justice Principals in DNREC’s mission statement, as well as its activities is desired.

DNREC/Community Partnership: Participants want to be a partner with DNREC and a co-creator of DNREC’s communication structure and process. They want a ‘seat at the table’ and a collaborative relationship with DNREC (including an EJ advisory board).

Relationship Building: Participants want DNREC to engage the communities through educational programs that would foster relationship building and trust.

Communication Network: DNREC needs to expand their environmental justice community network (it needs to be more than just those who were notified about this workshop). The communication network should be multi-dimensional (advisory board, social media, website, community information service, etc.).

Communications: DNREC’s communications should be regular, consistent, and in real time; should be in a format (and language) easily understandable to non-environmental professionals and regulators.

Meetings: Participants want meetings that end with tangible results or actions (they do not want to meet just for the sake of meeting).

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Environmental Justice Roundtable held on June 8th was the first of many steps that

should be undertaken by DNREC in its effort to improve communications between the

Department and the Environmental Justice Communities. Even though the input received

from the participants was very valuable, and continued community input is needed, it is

NJIT TAB’s opinion that several activities should take place before DNREC conducts any

other outreach or implements any of the suggestions received.

The NJIT TAB Team offers the following recommendations for DNREC to consider

implementing as it moves forward with this endeavor.

Recommendation #1: Create a Communications Strategy

The first step should be the creation of a framework for the development of the

Communication Strategy. This will set a solid foundation for ultimately implementing steps

to improve communications. Recommended steps include:

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Determine the mission, goals, and activities needed for the development of a

communication strategy.

Example mission: to create an efficient, effective, and engaging two-way

communication between the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and

Environmental Control and Environmental Justice Communities

Example goals:

o Ensure the Environmental Justice Communities have a means to voice their

concerns and ideas

o Ensure that Environmental Justice Communities are receiving pertinent

and timely environmental information

Example activities:

o Determine a time frame to the development of the Communication Strategy

o Identify Environmental Justice Communities across the state

o Identify stakeholders within those communities

o Engage those stakeholders in an effort to obtain their input in how

communication can be improved

o Identify effective methods for DNREC to communicate with Environmental

Justice Communities

o Identify effective methods for Environmental Justice Communities to

communicate with DNREC

The mission, goals, and time frame should be communicated to the public through various

means (e.g., on DNREC’s Environmental Justice website), and should be communicated

in the beginning of all events seeking participant input (such as the Environmental Justice

Roundtables).

Recommendation #2: Identify Environmental Justice Communities across the

state, and identify stakeholders within those communities

Develop a systematic, transparent, and defendable method for identifying Environmental

Justice Communities and stakeholders within those communities. While conduct of the

Environmental Justice Roundtable was informative and resulted in excellent input from

participants, the attendance was low and did not include a wide geographic

representation of Environmental Justice Communities. Before any other participant input

events are held, DNREC should develop a more comprehensive list of Environmental

Justice community representatives. One method would be to contact the offices of every

State legislature requesting their identification of Environmental Justice stakeholders

within their districts, and then drill down from that information. Add to that list the names

of those who attended the June 8th roundtable, as well as people identified by the June

8th attendees. Organize the list of names by their organizational, as well as geographic

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affiliations to ensure an equitable coverage of the state as a whole, and the specific

Environmental Justice Communities.

Recommendation #3: Create a DNREC Environmental Justice Website

DNREC should create a user friendly, easily accessible Environmental Justice website.

This would be one of several tools included in the Communication Strategy, but can be

implemented before the Communication Strategy is fully developed. Similar to the

framework for the development of the Communication Strategy, develop a framework for

the website: determine the purpose of this website, the types of information it will contain,

how/when it will be updated and maintained, who will update and maintain it, etc. At a

minimum, this website should immediately include:

an announcement that DNREC is developing a Communication Strategy

the mission, goals, and time frame for the development of the Communication

Strategy

progress being made on the development of the Communications Strategy

announcement of any events (e.g., Environmental Justice Roundtables)

the roles and responsibilities of DNREC

Recommendation #4: Conduct Environmental Justice Roundtables

Once DNREC accomplishes Recommendations #1 and 2 above, we suggest DNREC

conducts additional Environmental Justices Roundtables in other parts of the State.

Valuable input was received from the participants of the June 8th roundtable. Participant

input from those future events should be added to the input received in the June 8th event

to create a robust set of community ideas, suggestions, and recommendations.

Recommendation #5: Create a DNREC Environmental Justice Advisory Board

Upon completion of Recommendations # 1, 2, and 4, DNREC should create an Advisory

Board that includes key stakeholders that are respected within the Environmental Justice

communities and are in positions to disseminate information back to the communities, as

well as bring information and concerns from the communities to DNREC.

DNREC should create a structure for the Advisory Board, including:

its mission and purposes

membership requirements (number of members, geographic distribution, term

limits, etc.)

amount, frequency, duration, and location of meetings

its responsibilities

The elements of the Advisory Board structure should be documented in writing and clearly

communicated to the Advisory Board members.

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An initial responsibility of the Advisory Board could be assistance with development of the

Communication Strategy. Once DNREC compiles a comprehensive list of community

ideas, suggestions, and recommendations from the Environmental Justice Roundtables

(Recommendation #5), the Advisory Board could work with DNREC in identifying such

things as appropriate modes of communication (social media, email, community

information system, etc.); types of community engagement (e.g., attendance at civic

association meetings); and types of community education (e.g., community workshops,

fact sheets, etc.).

Recommendation #6: Prioritize Near-term, Mid-term, and Long-term Activities

DNREC should prioritize the activities it plans to undertake to improve communications

with Environmental Justice Communities. First, DNREC should determine the activities

suggested by the communities that are beyond the regulatory scope of DNREC, and

should explain why DNREC cannot conduct that/those activities. DNREC should then

determine the activities it can accomplish/recommendations it can implement, and

prioritize them in terms of near-term, mid-term, and long-term. Are there any activities that

can be quickly accomplished or community recommendations that can be easily

implemented that would have high impact? Those would be placed in the near-term

activities category.

APPENDIX A: List of Attendees*

Pastor Louis McDuffy, Eden Park/Hamilton Park Civic Association

Rachel Zara, Legislative Aide to Councilman Carter, New Castle County

Sandra Smithers, Dunleith Civic Association

Vikki Prettyman, Technical Assistance Provider, Southeast Rural Community

Assistance Project

Martin Willis, New Castle resident

Marva King, Delaware Concerned Residents for Environmental Justice

Penny Dryden, Delaware Concerned Residents for Environmental Justice

Kenny Dryden, Delaware Concerned Residents for Environmental Justice, CHEC,

Minority Workforce Development Coalition

Larry Lambert, Delaware Concerned Residents for Environmental Justice

Hope Cupit, President & CEO, Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project

Jean Holloway, Delaware/Maryland State Manager, Southeast Rural Community

Assistance Project

Marie Reed, Southbridge Civic Association

Cecil Simmons, Dunleith Civic Association

Representative Frank Cooke, 16th District

Renie Roberts Holland, Oakmont Civic Association

Bobbi Brinton, Old Brandywine Village

James Parker, Dunleith Civic Association

* list of attendees provided by DNREC

APPENDIX B: Environmental Justice Roundtable Agenda

10:30 to 10:45am – attendee check in and refreshments 10:45 to 11:05am:

Welcome and purpose of the workshop: DNREC Secretary Garvin

Overview of the workshop: Colette Santasieri, NJIT

Ground Rules: Gary White, NJIT

11:05 to 11:40am - Activity #1: Imagine (Mentimeter and small group discussions)

Imagine excellent, effective, and engaging two-way communication between the

Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and your

community. What would that look like?

11:40am to 12:10pm - Activity # 2 Reaching Out (small group discussions)

What would be the most effective ways DNREC could communicate with EJ

communities?

What would be the most effective ways EJ communities could communicate with

DNREC?

Who should receive those communications?

When should that information be communicated?

How will the community know it has been heard by DNREC?

12:10 to 12:40pm - Activity # 3 Communication Content (small group discussions)

What type of information does the community need?

What type of information does the community want (e.g., education on issues)?

Is there a language barrier (foreign languages, jargon)?

12:40 to 1:10pm – Activity # 4 Word Clouds

Word Cloud #1: What words describe the current communication between DNREC and EJ communities?

Word Cloud #2: What words describe the ideal communication between DNREC and EJ communities?

1:10 to 1:30pm

What we heard - recap of the event discussions: Facilitators

Next steps/Q & A: DNREC Secretary Garvin

APPENDIX C: Activity #1: Imagine – Participant Input by Small Groups

APPENDIX D: Activity # 2 Reaching Out – Participant Input by Small Groups

APPENDIX E: Activity # 3 Communication Content – Participant Input by Small Groups