EnviroJustice to Respond to Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Plan Draft EIR
The draft environmental impact report for the Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Plan has been released to the public for comments. The electronic version is 145 megabytes in size, while the printed version takes up two large three-ring binders and is hundreds of pages long.
EnviroJustice has obtained a copy of the draft EIR and will be submitting a detailed response as provided by California law. The deadline for submission of comments has been extended to Friday, August 8, 2008 due to the size and complexity of the document.
In October, 2007, the Concord City Council approved a broad range of alternatives for study in the EIR. In a significant victory for those seeking a safe, sustainable and just community, the draft EIR was mandated to study a broad range of alternatives, including two lower-intensity additions to the original staff recomendations.
One alternative called for as many as 13,000 homes and 7.9 million square feet of commercial development, bringing 30,600 residents and employment of an additional 29,000 to the project. The alternative supported by EnviroJustice calls for 6,250 homes and 5.2 million square feet of commercial development. At least 15,000 people would be employed in the new development, even under the lower-intensity EnviroJustice alternative.
Now that the draft EIR is available, EnviroJustice will be actively involved in preparing analysis and comments to determine if the city has, indeed, fully and properly studied the broad range of alternatives and met the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. Of particular concern is the pressure being placed on the city by the Navy to approve a plan within the timelines mandated by the Navy. The city has missed its deadline to act and is seeking a one-year extension, while the Navy has only granted a three-month extension. EnviroJustice is concerned that the city will shortchange the environmental review process in seeking to move quickly.
Table Justice — The EnviroJustice Campaign for Safe, Sustainable and Just Sources of Food and Water
National Denomination Adopts Local Food Resolution
With the active help of EnviroJustice's Table Justice campaign, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has just become the first major American faith community to formally recognize the importance of our connection with the source of our food and encourage participation in sustainable, local food systems, including community gardens, sustainable small farms, and farmers markets. Concerning a Movement to Reconnect with our Food and the Natural World also urges support for national movements toward the passage of legislation requiring that a certain percentage of food consumed annually is sustainably produced locally.
Join us in a faith-based approach to environmental justice that encourages individuals and faith communities to support sustainable agriculture, clean water and the development of local agricultural initiatives.
The EnviroJustice Campaigns for Safe, Sustainable and Just Communities
Contra Costa Justice
Join us in supporting community participation and sustainable development of the former Concord Naval Weapons Station, save the hillsides of Pittsburg from over-development, and preserve productive agricultural land and the economic viability and vitality of agriculture in East Contra Costa County.
Tijuana Justice
EnviroJustice is proud to join other environmental and faith-based organizations in promoting environmental justice in Tijuana, Mexico and to be a part of the solutions to the crisis that unchecked expansion of industry has reaped on the city.