Why is the EJ Action Committee being formed?
The purpose of the formation of the Environmental Justice (EJ) Action Committee is to develop ongoing EJ community engagement for disadvantaged EJ communities and host quarterly roundtable meetings with local stakeholders to guide and evaluate implementation of environmental justice policies. This is part of the City of Santa Ana General Plan Environmental Justice policy implementation of Land Use Element Policy 3.25. Click here to learn more about the General Plan.
How will this committee be formed?
The committee will consist of one resident from each geographic EJ cluster, two representatives from local community-based organizations, one representative from the City of Santa Ana, and one representative from the Orange County Health Care Agency. The purpose of the committee is to collaborate and provide guidance on the implementation of the General Plan Environmental Justice policies and actions. When the EJ Action Committee meets in October 2023, their first order of business will be to select the two CBO representatives to complete the formation of the EJ Action Committee.
- Residents – An application is now available through September 29, 2023 for residents interested in being a member of the City’s EJ Action Committee. Each EJ cluster (Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, West, and Central) will be represented by one resident on the EJ Action Committee. Printed applications will be made available at City community centers, senior centers, the Delhi Center, and the City's Main and Newhope public libraries.
- Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) – An application is now available through September 29, 2023 for local community-based organizations (CBOs) interested in joining the EJ Action Committee. CBOs must have direct EJ project involvement and experience in Santa Ana. The EJ Action committee has two (2) seats for CBO representation. The residents representing each EJ Cluster on the EJ Action Committee will select the two CBO representatives when they first meet in October 2023. Announcement for the CBOs will be made at the end of the year by the committee.
What are the requirements for Santa Ana Residents?
- Must reside in an Environmental Justice/Disadvantaged area community. Refer to the Disadvantaged Communities and Neighborhood Locator map if you are not sure if you reside within that area.
- Commit to meet regularly on weeknights and possibly weekends (approximately 5 hours per month) for a period of two and a half years from October 2023 - March 2026
- Have recent experience and active participation with the General Plan and/or EJ issues
What is the review timeline and selection process?
The application deadline has been extended to Friday, September 29, 2023 by 11:59 p.m. The City will review applications and select the resident representatives in mid October 2023.