Press releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT

Angelica Estrada
angelicae@staging.environmentalhealth.org
562-708-3093

Lorena Nava Ruggero
lruggero@sdfoundation.org
619-814-1365

UNPRECEDENTED COALITION SEEKS $44 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR SAN DIEGO’S ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMUNITIES

Community, philanthropic, and government coalition calls on community members to help bring millions of state grant funding and matching funds to some of City of San Diego’s most polluted, climate-vulnerable and culturally rich communities – the Historic Barrios.

SAN DIEGO, CA, APRIL 17, 2023 – On Saturday, April 15, 2023, Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmember Vivian Moreno, and a more than a dozen stakeholder coalition hosted a press conference to rally community support for a $44 million funding opportunity to fund climate-resilient projects in San Diego’s Historic Barrios – Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, Stockton, Grant Hill, Sherman, Southcrest and Shelltown. This opportunity includes a potential $29.5 million from the state’s Transformative Climate Communities Program (TCC), and $14.75 million in additional matching funds from municipal and private sources.

The Historic Barrios are some of San Diego’s communities most vulnerable to climate impacts such as extreme heat and poor air quality. Considered cultural gems, these majority-minority neighborhoods have suffered from environmental racism and rezoning that has led to decades of toxic pollution, chronic diseases, like asthma, and a higher risk of cancer.

“Air pollution and climate change are interlinked – the same diesel pollution that is exacerbating climate change, is damaging our lungs and making people more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as heat waves and smoke from wildfires,” said Jose Franco Garcia, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition.

With high levels of poverty and rising rents, residents are at risk of eviction and displacement as their community is gentrified. Focusing on affordable housing, green spaces, and environmental health, projects funded by the grant will lead to a healthier, more vibrant, and resilient community. 

“People move out of the neighborhood because of the cost of living,” said Elizabeth Chavez, Logan Heights resident and community activist. “And those who can’t afford end up in their vehicles. You need two sources of income – three if you want to live comfortably – to live here.”

The state grant and matching funds could be used to develop a Community Land Trust to secure land, create housing opportunities, keep families in their homes and slow gentrification. Other potential projects include community-wide home improvements such as solar, planting 800 trees to reduce pollution and more frequent transit stops.

“The plan that our coalition is putting together is a visionary, community-driven approach that will serve as a model that we can share with other cities to empower local communities,” said Mark Stuart, president and CEO of San Diego Foundation, the lead applicant on the Transformative Climate Communities proposal that is working with partners to secure municipal and private matching funds for this grant opportunity.

This unprecedented coalition is calling on residents from the Historic Barrios to join its upcoming workshop on June 17, 2023, or fill out its survey (bit.ly/Hist-Barrios-Survey) to help decide how the millions should be spent on parks, housing, and transportation projects.

The coalition members include Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, City of San Diego, CoPlace, Environmental Health Coalition, GRID Alternatives, Groundwork, MAAC, MTS, San Diego Foundation and Urban Corps of San Diego County.

TO LEARN MORE:

Visit https://bit.ly/HistoricBarriosApp

Download our factsheet at https://bit.ly/TCCFactsheet-4-10

Download video sound bites and remarks from the April 15 press conference at https://bit.ly/tcc-presser

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit staging.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.

San Diego’s Air Pollution Control District’s mandated installation of an Odor Control System at New Leaf Biofuel’s South Plant in Barrio Logan is proving to be effective in reducing odors

For several years, Barrio Logan residents endured the harmful effects and sickening odor from New Leaf Biofuel facility located on the corner of Newton Ave and Sicard St.

In response to months of community complaints and organizing led by Environmental Health Coalition, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Hearing Board ordered New Leaf to install an odor control system. They installed a system that has been operating for over a month and residents have documented noticeable improvement with the smell in the neighborhood.

Brenda Menchaca a resident living near the Biofuel plant explains, “I’ve noticed a huge difference in the neighborhood. Our family is hanging out in the yard more and I feel like, in a lot of ways we got our neighborhood back!”

While the recent odor improvement in Barrio Logan is a welcomed change, the work to improve air quality continues. “This is a huge victory for our community. This whole experience proves that change is possible, and that the enforcement systems at SDAPCD work,” said Nicholas Paul Air Quality Advocate with EHC, “While we celebrate this victory, we know that there are other significant sources of air pollution in Barrio Logan. Our community is energized and ready to continue our fight to reduce those pollutants.”

EHC and impacted residents will continue to monitor the neighborhood for odors from New Leaf and will work with SDAPCD to address any changes.

If you have an air quality complaint, please report it to APCD by calling (858) 586-2650 or e-mailing apcdcomp@sdapcd.org

EHC and community activists win the fight against Mitsubishi Cement Corporation’s (MCC) proposed mega-cement warehouse at the Port of San Diego. The massive distribution center could have doubled lung-damaging diesel truck traffic in Barrio Logan and West National City

SAN DIEGO, CA, FEBRUARY 1, 2023 – In response to years of opposition from Barrio Logan and National City residents, community organizations, and environmental groups, the Port of San Diego announced today that negotiations with MCC have stalled in it’s bid to construct and operate a mega-cement warehouse at the Port of San Diego’s Tenth Ave. Terminal in Barrio Logan.

This massive industrial operation would have imported cement materials and up to 10,500 diesel-polluting lung-damaging truck tripspast homes, schools, and parks in Barrio Logan and West National City. Diesel pollution is known to cause cancer, asthma, and other chronic diseases.

“This would never have been proposed in a community like Coronado, so why do Logan and National City have to continually fight for the right to breathe clean air?” asked Julie Corrales, Barrio Logan Policy Advocate, Environmental Health Coalition. “The reason is environmental racism. Today, we celebrate our victory but also send a clear message to decision-makers: do not allow proposals like MCC to come forward again. The community is clear – no more diesel death.”

The Board of Port Commissioners rejected the same proposal from MCC in 2020. They gave MCC a strong and clear directive to develop measurable zero-emission (ZEV) truck requirements for the project. In those two years, MCC failed to present any plans for ZEV trucks.

“Mitsubishi disrespected the community by refusing to come forward with any plans to use zero emission trucks,” said Diane Takvorian, co-founder of the Environmental Health Coalition (EHC). “They also underestimated the strength, commitment and persistence of residents who pushed back hard – refusing to allow more deadly pollution in our communities,” she continued. “EHC is hopeful that the Port and other potential tenants are mindful of their promise to be a good neighbor and we look forward to working with the Port to recruit responsible industries.”

Barrio Logan and West National City, low-income communities of color, breathe more diesel pollution than 90% of the state. MCC’s warehouse, which would distribute 600,000 metric tons of cement materials a year- 35% of MCC’s total production – would be locatedwithin a mile of Cesar Chavez Park and Perkins Elementary School. Children in these communities already have double the overall county’s asthma hospitalization rate.

“Our children and families deserve clean air, good health and a decent place to live,” said Maritza Garcia, a second-generation Logan Heights resident. “The MCC proposal would have created more deadly pollution, more asthma, and more cancer risk. We said NO and we won!”

More than 800 community members emailed or wrote letters to the Port Commissioners calling on them to reject MCC’s proposed cement warehouse. A coalition of community activists, environmental justice advocates, educators, and faith leaders rallied and protested at the Port building in December and more than 30 testified in opposition to the proposal.

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit staging.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.

Barrio Logan – On October 27, 2022, Environmental Health Coalition issued the following statement in response to the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) Hearing Boards decision to grant New Leaf Biofuel a Stipulated Amendment Order that allows them until December 9, 2022 to install an air odor control system.

“Barrio Logan residents are asked once again to wait for clean air. EHC is disappointed with the SDAPCD Hearing Board’s decision to allow New Leaf to continue polluting the neighborhood with its putrid smell. While residents suffer nausea, headaches, and sore throats, New Leaf will continue to profit. SDAPCD must enforce the abatement order. After a year of waiting for relief, Barrio Logan residents will not tolerate any further extensions.“

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY

Barrio Logan Activists Demand a Stop to New Leaf Biofuel’s Putrid Smell

Community residents petition the San Diego Air Pollution Control District’s (SDAPCD) Hearing Board to order New Leaf Biofuel to pause operations until it can stop the terrible smell making people sick.

WHAT:

On October 27, 2022 the SDAPCD Hearing Board will consider the SDAPCD staff’s recommendation to approve a Stipulated Abatement Order to New Leaf Biofuel to address the terrible smell coming from the facility that is making residents sick. If approved as recommended, the Order would allow New Leaf until December 9 to resolve the issue with installation of an odor control system. 

Environmental Health Coalition and community residents are demanding that the SDAPCD require New Leaf to pause their operation until the noxious odor is controlled. New Leaf has had almost a year to fix the stench with no result. Residents’ health should not be further impacted while New Leaf profits. EHC will present over 180 petition signatures demanding an end to the odor.

WHEN:

Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 9 AM

WHERE:

To join virtually, click https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83424596669

WHY:

In addition to breathing some of the most diesel-polluted air in the state, New Leaf Biofuel’s neighbors have endured its sickening smell for years. Their neighbors report that the odor causes headaches, nausea, and irritation in their throats and eyes. In addition, they also report that the smell prevents them from spending time outside, opening their windows during heatwaves, and having guests over.

New Leaf processes millions of gallons of used cooking oil to produce biodiesel. This process creates the noxious smell. Chemicals and raw products used in the biodiesel making process can be extremely dangerous to people’s respiratory health. Within a few hundred feet of the facility, there are dozens of single-family homes, businesses, senior apartments, and a pre-school/daycare. Children in this neighborhood have more than double the rate of asthma emergency room visits than San Diego County as a whole.

Since November 2021, SDAPCD has received 21 resident complaints related to odor at New Leaf. This averages to about one official complaint every two weeks. During that time, SDAPCD conducted over 47 inspections issued three Notices of Violation related to the smell. New Leaf received the first Notice over 10 months ago in December of 2021. It wasn’t until 6 months later that New Leaf submitted a permit application with SDAPCD to install an odor control system. They have since requested 2 extensions delaying the installation of the system. During those 10 months, while New Leaf profited, residents continued to suffer from the toxic smell.

QUOTES

“New Leaf has been able to expand and profit, while residents continue to suffer, getting headaches and experiencing nausea as a result of the odor,” said Nicholas Paúl, Air Quality Advocate, Environmental Health Coalition. “Residents cannot relax outside, take walks, or use public spaces – children aren’t playing outside because of the smell.”

“New Leaf has had more than 10 months to find a way to stop the putrid smell that is making Barrio Logan residents sick,” said Diane Takvorian, Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition. “The community has suffered enough and is calling on the SDAPCD Hearing Board to order New Leaf to pause operations until they install an odor control system.”

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

If you are interested in speaking with EHC’s policy expert, Nicholas Paúl, or an affected Barrio Logan resident to learn about their experience please contact Angelica Estrada. Her information is below.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Angelica Estrada

Communications Director, Environmental Health Coalition

562-708-3093

Angelicae@staging.environmentalhealth.org

Barrio Logan activists launch petition urging San Diego Air Pollution Control District’s (SDAPCD) Hearing Board to stop New Leaf Biofuel from producing a terrible odor that is making residents sick, including seniors living at Barrio Senior Villas Apartments.

BARRIO LOGAN, CA, October 5, 2022– Today, on California Clean Air Day, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) and community leaders will launch a petition drive urging the SDAPCD Hearing Board to stop New Leaf Biofuel from producing a hazardous odor that is making residents sick. EHC invites community members to visit Barrio Senior Villas Apartments, located on 2322 Newton Ave, San Diego, CA, 92113, today from 3 PM to 7 PM to sign the petition and learn how they can fight for clean air. They will also be giving out Youth Opportunity Passes and free air monitors and purifiers to qualified residents.

“What the seniors at Barrio Senior Villas, and the surrounding community, are suffering because of New Leaf Biofuel is unacceptable and would never happen in a neighborhood like Coronado or Del Mar,” said Diane Takvorian, EHC Executive Director. “The community isn’t going to let this continue. That is why we are standing in solidarity with them on Clean Air Day and every day until they can breathe easy.”

Located across the street from Barrio Senior Villas Apartments, New Leaf Biofuel is a company that processes used cooking oil to produce biodiesel. This process creates a noxious smell. Chemicals and raw products used in the biodiesel-making process can be extremely dangerous to people’s respiratory health. Within 100-600ft of the facility, there are dozens of single-family homes, businesses, and a preschool/daycare. In addition to breathing some of the most diesel-polluted air in the state, New Leaf’s neighbors have endured its smell for years.

“On some days, the smell from New Leaf burns our throats and eyes, and makes us want to throw up,” explained Miguel Espinosa, the property manager at the Barrio Senior Villas Apartment complex. “With the heatwave this past month, it has been very difficult for my residents and I because the complex doesn’t have air conditioning. Several of my residents had to choose between keeping their windows closed and risking heat exhaustion or opening their windows and getting sick from the smell – it’s really a dangerous situation.”

On September 9,2022, SDAPCD sent a letter to New Leaf Biolfuel’s president Jennifer Case. The letter explained that after more than 17 official community complaints, over 47 APCD Air Quality Inspector visits, and 3 Notices of Violation related to odors, SDAPCD will file a petition with the District Hearing Board requesting an Order for Abatement. This order would require New Leaf to stop the creation of nuisance odors.

“New Leaf has a history of being a bad neighbor, and SDAPCD’s action is a powerful statement,” said Nicholas Paúl, EHC Air Quality Advocate. “Through this letter, SDAPCD is sending a clear message to industry that the health and quality of life of San Diego residents matters, and that industry cannot ignore community complaints and notices of violation by SDAPCD.”

A hearing to discuss the Abatement Order will occur on October 27, 2022, from 9 AM-11 AM at the County Administration Center (Room 358). EHC invites community members to participate and share their lived experiences.

The petition to stop New Leaf from producing the sickening odor can be signed online at bit.ly/NewLeafPetition.

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION
Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit staging.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.

Despite the 2022 ballot measure setback, communities south of the I-8 freeway and environmental justice advocates are committed to continuing to fight for transportation justice. They support a 2024 transportation ballot measure to fix San Diego’s broken transit system that contributes to climate change and leaves working families behind.

San Diego, CA, September 13, 2022 – Led by Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) and SanDiego350 (SD350), community activists from south of the I-8 freeway pledge to continue the fight for a better public transit system. These groups are already organizing to support a 2024 transportation ballot measure following Let’s Go! San Diego’s announcement that its 2022 ballot initiative did not qualify for this year’s November ballot.

“EHC, SD350, and our members were proud supporters of the 2022 Let’s Go! SD campaign,” said Diane Takvorian, EHC executive director. “While we are disappointed that the measure did not qualify for the 2022 ballot we will not give up. Working families living south of Interstate 8 are in urgent need of clean, safe, affordable, and efficient transit.”

“After working to collect signatures, we saw that the general public supports transportation improvements,” said Bee Mittermiller, a volunteer and co-leader of SD350’s transportation team who collected dozens of signatures. “We are excited about getting involved again to make sure that this measure is put before the voters, gets passed, and fulfills the promises of access to opportunities countywide and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”

San Diego County’s current transit system makes it hard for working families to access opportunities, contributes to the climate crisis, and, by virtue of making it difficult to get around without a car, pollutes the air we breathe. 70% of the jobs in the county are unreachable by public transit. Transportation is the region’s largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions at 41% according to SANDAG’s 2021 Regional Plan.

 “Our communities use public transit the most, and we are also the most affected by air pollution and climate change,” said Carmen Gaxiola, a National City resident and longtime transit rider. “I’ve spoken with dozens of my family, friends, and neighbors about improving San Diego’s transit because for us, efficient, affordable public transit isn’t just nice to have – it is essential.”

Through a volunteer effort, EHC and SD350 gathered thousands of signatures for the Let’s Go! SD 2022 ballot initiative, exceeding their initial signature gathering goals. Like Gaxiola, many transit riders took ownership of the signature gathering effort by knocking on doors around their neighborhoods, talking to other riders at transit stops, and attending community events.

“We are excited to build off this momentum for the 2024 effort, and we won’t stop there, said Carolina Martinez, EHC’s climate justice campaign director. “We will continue organizing with transit riders to attend SANDAG and MTS meetings to fight for the 10 Transit Lifelines. These include 24-hour frequent bus service, free passes for youth and seniors, complete bus electrification by 2030, and express service on the Blue Line Trolley. It is no longer optional to transform the region’s transit system. It is essential to connect our communities and boost economic prosperity.”

EHC and San Diego 350 are committed to improving the quality of life in San Diego by continuing to organize for a public transit system that nurtures healthy communities. The 10 Transit Lifelines reflect a vision for advancing affordable, safe and frequent transit solutions that benefit all San Diegans. Increasing access to public transit will make San Diegan’s lungs less vulnerable to deadly respiratory illness and make the region’s economy more resilient by opening pathways to a prosperous, healthy, and sustainable future.

After years of advocacy, environmental justice activists celebrate San Diego’s Climate Action Plan’s ambitious clean air goals while calling for funding that prioritizes the City’s most polluted and under-resourced communities.

SAN DIEGO, CA, August 3, 2022 – During Wednesday’s City Council meeting, in a 8 to 0 vote, the San Diego City Council approved the updated 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP). For the first time, the CAP has a clean air section that commits the City to reduce levels of diesel particulate matter (PM) by 80% from 2016 levels by 2030 with priority in most impacted communities as identified by the draft CalEnvironScreen (CES) 4.0. While celebrating the CAP’s strong clean air goals, community activists continue to push for a commitment to prioritize funding for the most under-resourced and over-polluted communities in San Diego.

“The CAP’s clean air goals are a major win for environmental justice communities because air pollution has traditionally been excluded from climate change solutions – including the City’s previous 2015 Climate Action Plan,” said Diane Takvorian, Executive Director at Environmental Health Coalition (EHC). “However, these goals will be meaningless if the CAP doesn’t prioritize funding solutions for residents breathing the most dangerous air in the City, who are also the most vulnerable to climate change.”

The CAP determines where and how the City will spend millions of dollars to combat the climate crisis. Activists from Barrio Logan, Logan Heights, and City Heights attended Wednesday’s City Council meeting demanding the CAP include stronger clean air goals and prioritize 90% of project funding in communities like theirs that need it the most.

“The air quality is impacting my health and my livelihood. I’ve suffered from chronic rhinitis since I was an infant,” said Emily Villagrana, a lifelong Logan resident. “All of us want a clean San Diego, but it is more urgent for those that are suffering the health effects. Please don’t ignore us.”

Communities like Villagrana’s breathe some of the most diesel-polluted air in the state, which causes cancer, asthma, and other chronic diseases. Diesel pollution also accelerates climate change. According to the U.S. EPA and California Air Resources Board, black carbon is up to 450 – 1,500 times more powerful at warming the climate than carbon dioxide and other well-known climate-warming gases.

In addition to breathing lung-damaging air, communities like Barrio Logan also have a severe shortage of tree coverage, cool zones, parks, and other resources that mitigate extreme heat. This combination makes them more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change – like heat waves, droughts, and smoke from wildfires.

“If you think about the City as a street of houses, and each neighborhood is a house, then the communities of Logan, City Heights, and San Ysidro are houses on fire,” said Kyle Heiskala, EHC’s Climate Justice Policy Advocate. “There is no equity without funding. It is like measuring how hot it is in the burning house without sending any resources to put out the flames. The CAP implementation must commit to funding 90% of environmental justice community projects first.”

The City Council approved the Climate Action Plan and an implementation plan with an additional council policy to inform the prioritization of climate actions is expected to come back to the City Council for approval in February of 2023.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Angelica Estrada

Communications Director, Environmental Health Coalition

562-708-3093

Angelicae@staging.environmentalhealth.org

###ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit staging.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) passes the most equitable, environmentally just Regional Transportation Plan to date.

Today, SANDAG’s Board of Directors approved the 2021 Regional Plan (RTP), which will determine San Diego County’s transportation future for decades to come. The newly passed RTP provides a pathway to modernize San Diego’s transit system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease lung-damaging air pollution, and meet the needs of the low-income communities of color who have been hit hardest by the pandemic.

“The planet is burning and our current transportation system is heavily contributing to the fire, damaging our lungs, and failing the low-income communities of color who depend on it the most,” said Carolina Martinez, Climate Justice Director, Environmental Health Coalition. “93% of San Diego’s low-income residents do not have access to fast and frequent transit and the 2021 Regional Plan provides critical lifelines to change that.”

Led by the San Diego Transportation Equity Working Group, residents at the frontlines of the climate crisis in Barrio Logan, City Heights, and National City identified 10 priorities to improve the transit system- the 10 Transit Lifelines. These lifelines reflect a vision to advance affordable and frequent transit solutions that will benefit all San Diegans. Transportation justice advocates have worked for decades to advance expanded transit with little success until the last few years with the SANDAG reforms instituted by AB 805.

“Throughout the planning process, SANDAG was proactive in including our communities, as a result, the 2021 Regional Plan is the most equitable and solution-driven regional plan to date,” said Diane Takvorian, co-founder and Executive Director, Environmental Health Coalition. “The Regional Plan paves a path to make the 10 Transit Lifelines a reality.”

The 10 Transit Lifelines are:

1. A Regional Plan that prioritizes environmental justice
2. Youth opportunity passes
3. Bus service every 10 minutes
4. Build a 24-hour Blue Line Express
5. 24 – hour service
6. Fund the Purple Line
7. An all-electric bus fleet by 2030
8. Anti-displacement strategies
9. Restroom access
10. Emergency-ready transit system

“I’ve lost countless moments with my family waiting at bus stops, running to catch the bus, coordinating my life around our inconvenient and unreliable transit system,” said Esperanza Gonzalez, a City Heights Resident who rides the bus to work. “I used my 30 years of experience riding the bus to help develop the 10 Transit Lifelines and it is so encouraging that SANDAG listened to us and passed a regional plan that will improve the lives of working people like me.“

To learn more about Esperanza and the 10 Transit Lifelines, visit enviromentalhealth.org/transitjustice.

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit staging.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.

Barrio Logan Finally Gets A Community Plan That Protects Residents

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

After more than four decades and a devastating industry-led referendum, San Diego City Council approved an update to Barrio Logan’s community plan.

Today, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to approve a Community Plan Update for Barrio Logan that will prioritize resident’s health, air quality, and culture, while slowing gentrification. This update is more than 40 years in the making. The previous Barrio Logan Community Plan allowed polluting businesses to operate right next to homes and schools.

“Barrio Logan residents have fought for a community plan update since the 1970s,” said Diane Takvorian, Executive Director of the Environmental Health Coalition. “This update is long overdue and will help put an end to the environmental racism residents have faced for generations.”

One of only 14 California Cultural Districts designated by the state, Barrio Logan is one of the most Latino/a/x communities in San Diego and has some of the lowest median income in the City. This vibrant cultural gem also suffers from some of the worst air quality in the State. Polluting highways and industries surround it. These same industries ran a referendum in 2013 that crushed a council-approved update to Barrio Logan’s community plan, which would have separated residential areas from industry.

“I know some neighbors that have asthma, in particular children,” said Barrio Logan resident Elizabeth Chavez speaking in support of the Community Plan Update during the City Council meeting. “With this plan in place, future generations’ health won’t be at high risk for developing even worse health issues.” She was one of the more than 20 residents who spoke in support of the plan.

The 2021 Barrio Logan Community Plan Update provides even stronger environmental protections for residents than the 2013 Draft. The new update that the City Council approved will:

• Put a buffer zone between industrial and residential areas of the neighborhood
• Promote more green spaces, like parks, and tree canopy
• Preserve community culture and history
• Improve walkability and increased opportunities for safe, accessible public transit
• Require more affordable housing and prevent displacement of residents in new developments

“On top of pollution residents live with daily, they are now threatened by gentrification,” said Julie Corrales, Barrio Logan resident and Policy Advocate at Environmental Health Coalition. “Although this plan provides unprecedented gentrification and displacement protections, the community still needs more. It must be this Council’s most pressing priority in the coming year to adopt an update of the City’s Tenant’s Right to Know Ordinance that will provide more tenant protections.”

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ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION

Founded in 1980, Environmental Health Coalition (EHC) builds grassroots campaigns to confront the unjust consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and climate change. Visit staging.environmentalhealth.org to learn more.