CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION establishing the shared city and community goals and strategies of the Equity and Environment Agenda as City policy and a critical aspect and foundation for all environment and sustainability work in Seattle.
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WHEREAS, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies; and
WHEREAS, across the United States, race is the most significant predictor of a person living near contaminated air, water, or soil; and
WHEREAS, in 2009 the City of Seattle established the Race and Social Justice Initiative through Resolution 31164, affirming the City's race and social justice work and directing City departments to use available tools to assist in the elimination of racial and social disparities across key indicators of success, including health, education, criminal justice, the environment, employment and the economy, and to promote equity within the City workplace and in the delivery of City services; and
WHEREAS, in 2014 Mayor Murray issued Executive Order 2014-02 affirming his intention to continue the direction of the Initiative, and directing City departments to incorporate a racial equity lens in citywide initiatives and policies such as legislation to increase the minimum wage, efforts to ensure affordable housing, coordinated planning for equitable growth and development, and equity areas including the environment; and
WHEREAS, Seattle is a national environmental leader and the STAR Community Rating System (STAR), which evaluates the livability and sustainability of U.S. communities, awarded Seattle the highest rating of 5 STAR, the area where Seattle showed the greatest room for improvement was environmental justice; and
WHEREAS, communities of co...
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