RCRC members are encouraged to submit comments on regulatory matters to state and federal regulatory bodies, and to provide a copy to RCRC’s Government Affairs staff. Click “Read More” to access information related to the current status of regulations impacting California’s rural counties.
Update to the California Communities Environmental Health Screening Tool (Proposed CalEnviroScreen 3.0). The CalEnviroScreen uses a suite of statewide indicators and assigns scores for each indicator in a given geographic area (census tracts). Scores for the pollution burden and population characteristics categories are then multiplied together. The intent of this tool is to provide State agencies with a means to prioritize and direct their resources and make policy decisions intended to benefit the most impacted communities. This latest update incorporates recent data for nearly all indicators, improvements in the way some indicators are calculated, and two new indicators – cardiovascular disease and rent-adjusted income. The update also includes additional information on pollution sources in Mexico. The tool precludes 30 counties (27 RCRC counties) from being defined as having any “Disadvantaged Communities.” Agency: Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Status: Draft released September 6, 2016, available for public comment until October 22, 2016. Draft proposal and related documents can be accessed here. RCRC Comments: RCRC is seeking member county input. RCRC Advocates: Mary Pitto mpitto@rcrcnet.org and Staci Heaton sheaton@rcrcnet.org