Activism

Environmental Justice Group Sues Port of Oakland for “Negative Impacts” of Sand and Gravel Project

West Oakland residents are disproportionately lower-income and people of color, and they already face significantly elevated public health threats compared to more affluent Bay Area communities, including other parts of Oakland. West Oakland residents have a higher exposure to diesel particulate matter than 99% of Californians, according to CalEnviroScreen 4.0, according to WOEIP. Local residents’ asthma rates are worse than 98% of Californians, and they have a life expectancy that is 7.5 years shorter than that of the average Alameda County resident.

Published

3 years ago

April 2, 2022

Oakland Post

A photo of Eagle Rock Aggregates' facility at the Port of Long Beach. The company is seeking to build a similar facility near West Oakland. Photo courtesy of Eagle Rock Aggregates LLC.

By Post Staff

The West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project (WOEIP) this week filed suit against the Port of Oakland for approving a large-scale sand and gravel storage terminal without adequately analyzing or mitigating the project’s significant impacts to public health and the environment, as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

West Oakland is already a severely environmentally overburdened community, and the proposed Eagle Rock Aggregates Oakland Terminal Project would contribute significantly to local air pollution, carbon emissions, noise, and water pollution.

WOEIP, a resident-led, community-based environmental justice organization, filed the lawsuit March 25 in Alameda County Superior Court. The group is demanding the project be rescinded, and if the Port continues to pursue this project, that the terminal’s environmental impacts to be adequately mitigated, as CEQA requires.

“This sand and gravel project would have severe negative impacts on the health of the people in my community,” said Margaret Gordon, co-founder of WOEIP and a former Port Commissioner. “The Port of Oakland Commissioners appear to be completely ignoring the public health impacts that would be caused by the dust blowing off the open-air piles of gravel aggregate into our neighborhoods; the 50 added ship visits every year, all idling in Port and burning one of the dirtiest fuels on the planet; and the 375 new daily truck trips along local West Oakland streets, all spewing diesel particulate matter directly into our air and our homes.”

“Looking beyond today’s legal action, we welcome collaboration with Port Commissioners and staff who are willing to work with us under the Community Health Protection Program established by AB 617,” added Gordon. “Our common goal can be to reduce emissions at the Port, for example by switching to zero-emission electric trucks and equipment.”

Residents in the West Prescott neighborhood, nearest to the proposed project site, have nine times the U.S. average toxic air contaminant cancer risk. Diesel particulate matter is responsible for more than 90% of thae total cancer risk in West Oakland.

The Eagle Rock project would significantly increase the level of particulate matter and diesel exhaust in West Oakland neighborhoods, in addition to increasing the Port’s carbon emissions.

“The environmental analysis for this project is clearly inadequate under state environmental law,” said Laura Beaton, attorney at Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, representing WOEIP. “The Eagle Rock Aggregates project would have significant negative environmental and public health impacts, yet the Port of Oakland has failed to analyze these impacts, identify and adopt effective mitigation measures are reduce or avoid them, or consider or adopt reasonable alternatives.”

“It’s a serious challenge to the Port’s authority” says Brian Beveridge, co-founder of WOEIP. “And we don’t take it lightly. But, in casually certifying this deeply flawed environmental review, the Port Commission has abandoned its obligation to protect our public interests in the shoreline and our air.”

Port officials were notified by the California Attorney General’s Office, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the California Air Resources Board that the environmental studies for this project are fatally flawed. Nevertheless, the Port’s decision has been to move ahead with the project.

In 2017, WOEIP brought a complaint under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act against the Port for its longstanding pattern of environmentally racist practices. In response, the Port implemented a Public Engagement Plan designed to build communication and trust between the community and the Port. However, although community groups engage in ongoing discussions with the Port, they claim their input has not led to any meaningful change in the Port’s operations.

“The Port’s actions are those of a bad neighbor,” said Gordon. “The people of West Oakland should not have to go to court to protect their health. If the Port wanted to be a responsible neighbor, they would try to mitigate the public health impacts of this project. Instead, they have left us with no other option than to fight a legal battle to protect the public health of the people in our community.”

For more information about the lawsuit, contact Severn Williams at 510-336-9566 or sev@publicgoodpr.com.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

1 week ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

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Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

2 weeks ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.