Because the Justice 40 initiative sets “a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution,” it is very important to understand how the federal government and states are defining disadvantaged communities (or other similar terms like disproportionately impacted or overburdened).

In addition, communities have an important role to play to help secure investment, design new infrastructure projects, and shape accompanying anti-displacement policies and practices so that community members can remain in place once restoration and other kinds of improvement projects have been completed.

Are you interested in learning more about the process of defining disproportionately impacted communities for federal and state policies? Or, how large investments—like from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—will tie to equitable development and anti-displacement practices in disproportionately impacted communities that receive the funding because of the Justice 40 Initiative?

If yes – then join us! The Urban Waters Learning Network Equitable Development and Anti-Displacement Collaborative is hosting a live session on Thursday, Dec 8 from 1 pm to 2:30 pm eastern time to engage in further conversation on the intersections of environmental justice policy and equitable development / anti-displacement practices.

Register for the event here: https://rivernetwork-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIuf-yqpjkrHdLF-29l8PXO6nSBPprn092-

Submit your questions on the registration form to include in the conversation with our panel of experts:

• Lubna Ahmed (she/her/ella), Environmental Justice Boards Manager, State of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Sonia Kikeri (they/she), National Director of Policy and Civic Engagement, Emerald Cities Collaborative 
• Cheyenne Holiday (she/her), Water Justice Coordinator, Verde

**This session is designed to be conversational and interactive. There will be introductions / presentations from the panelists for context. Please come prepared to ask your questions live and interact with the collaborative and the panelists (in break-out rooms if time permits).

Watch the pre-recorded video below as an introduction to the conversation.

Additional Resources:

• Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
• Climate Safe Neighborhoods
• Equitable Development for Urban Waters, A Story Map
• River Network’s State Policy Hub, Environmental Justice