Clean Environments, Healthy Communities Initiative

This initiative will support efforts to enhance human health and human environments, particularly among populations that bear a disproportionate share of pollution in our region, such as the residents of San Diego’s southern bay front communities, tribal communities and farm workers.

Expected Results of the Initiative:

• The enhanced capacity of at least five local nonprofits to reduce exposure to toxic pollutants and build healthier communities in South Bay and tribal reservations, and farm worker camps.
• The creation of appropriate monitoring systems to track the primary sources of pollution that pose public health risks in these vulnerable communities.
• The development of appropriate measures to abate pollutants determined to pose the greatest public health risks in these communities.
• Engagement of at least 1,000 local residents in efforts to attain a cleaner, healthier environment, through community outreach/advocacy, nonprofit membership and volunteerism.

Initiative Achievements to Date:

• Enhanced Capacity — Six nonprofit organizations and at least two tribes have enhanced their capacity to carry out environmental health and justice related work through citizen-based monitoring and clean up, community outreach/organizing, and policy advocacy. This work is taking place in South Bay and Tribal Reservations (La Jolla, Pala, Mesa Grande, and Rincon). Total leveraged funding since 2001 is $1,311,850.
• Monitoring Systems — Rural air and water quality monitoring and source water protection have been implemented on tribal reservations.
• Abatement Measures —
  • A landfill on the Pala Reservation was closed and a recycling program was developed at the old site.
  • Development of a multi-tribe wastewater treatment facility, benefiting at least four tribes, on the La Jolla Reservation.
  • Improvement of water quality monitoring of the San Luis Rey watershed, reduction of non-point source contamination, improved solid waste management, removal of waste tires, and various recycling programs.
  • Other results for South Bay Communities included various pollution prevention, restoration, and debris removal project including the restoration of the Chollas Creek streambed including the removal of 240 cubic yard of debris and non-native vegetation.
• Public Engagement — Over 680 urban and rural residents are engaged in environmental health and justice efforts, through train-the-trainer community outreach programs, new nonprofit membership, and volunteerism at all sites.
  
  2007 Clean Environments, Healthy Communities Grantees

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