Port of Seattle and local nonprofit selected for EPA environmental justice pilot project

The Port of Seattle and Just Health Action have been selected as one of just three communities in the country to receive a new grant by the Environmental Protection Agency focused on improving the health of communities near a port.

The Near-port Community Capacity Building/Stakeholder Engagement Project will focus on improving environmental health outcomes for Seattle’s South Park and Georgetown communities. Port-Community collaborative activities will focus on building engagement, advocacy and collaboration skills in communities and improving partnerships with the Port to address community needs.

“We are thrilled to be selected for this environment justice project  working with neighboring communities to address environmental impacts along the Duwamish River is very important to the Port and a positive step towards environmental and social equity.” said Port of Seattle Commissioner Creighton. In June, Port and EPA leadership attended a “listening” session and walking tour of the Duwamish Valley to learn about environmental challenges faced by the community.

“As a resident of Georgetown, it is important that we work with the Port to address the significant inequities in the Duwamish Valley, relative to the rest of Seattle,” said Andrew Schiffer, a community partner at Just Health Action. “We hope the pilot project will allow us to work together to reduce the environmental impact on all near-port communities.”

“The EPA continues to be encouraged by the Port’s leadership, along with other Northwest Seaports, in focusing significant time and resources to reducing the environmental impact of its operations,” said Tim Hamlin, Air Quality Director in EPA’s Northwest office. “An important component of this work is the Port’s commitment to developing constructive relationships with communities disproportionately affected by its operations, and we’re hopeful these investments will result in meaningful reductions in health risks for the people who live there.”

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