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Anyone catch the article in the East Bay Express last week, Oakland Officials Withhold Air Pollution Plan?
Image from D. Ross Cameron
The Air District is actually watchdogging City plans and the potential for a significant increase in air pollution in West Oakland, where air pollution is notoriously unhealthy. This might be a first for me but, kudos BAAQMD!
The Air District even suggested some great ideas to mitigate the increase in air pollution associated with the redevelopment, like infrastructure for electrifying trucks and vegetative barriers to trap diesel and particulate matter. Not to take too much credit, but you read our EXHAUST-ed! report, didn’t you BAAQMD?
But, before we all jump on board and condemn the redevelopment at the old Oakland Army base due to the increased pollution from increased truck, rail and ship traffic; I think it missed one crucial element regarding air pollution in West Oakland, the relocation of the recyclers.
The redevelopment of the old Oakland Army Base will actually help reduce some of the toxic air pollution within the West Oakland community.
Image from Stephen Loewinsohn
Currently, there are two industrial metal recyclers located within residential areas of West Oakland. Air samples have revealed elevated levels of lead and cadmium in the air surrounding McClymonds High School and many residents trace these air contaminants back to the heavy metal recyclers that are located right across the street from their homes.
After a unified effort between the residents and the business owners, the City agreed to support the relocation of the scrap metal recyclers, from their current location to a much more industrial site at the old Oakland Army Base. This creates a ‘buffer zone’ or breathing space between the community and the heavy industry, reducing the air emissions, noise, traffic emissions and additional trucks in residential areas.
Either way, considering it’s often times the residents who are forced to demand detailed info from the Air District; it’s nice to watch the Air District hunt down and demand the detailed info they’re looking for. So, now that the tables have turned, let’s kick back a little and watch it unfold.
But- if you’re an Oakland resident, you should probably call your City Councilmember and remind them that the redevelopment of the old Army Base is an opportunity to install a zero-emission infrastructure to protect our children’s’ health and keep Oakland moving forward.
A bad economy can be responsible for a slew of financial problems and hardships.
Courtesy of thekitchencabinet.us
Maybe you’re struggling to find a job, trying to get by with furlough days or unable to put any money aside as savings; ultimately, we are all forced to do more with less.
But what does a bad economy mean for fenceline communities? Probably many of the above, but residents in West Oakland, CA are facing an extraordinary challenge as a result of the City’s economic hardships: a clean air solution pulled out from under their feet.
For all of you habitual Airhugger readers out there, you remember the story behind the relocation of the industrial metal recyclers in West Oakland, right? It’s a win-win solution. The community, the business and the City all want the recyclers to relocate. And the City would actually generate revenue by selling this land to the business!
The catch here: the City doesn’t have the money for the upfront costs of infrastructure at this particular industrial site – the former Oakland Army Base. In other words, the City can no longer afford to build roads, plumbing, electric wiring, etc. at the site, making it not ready for sale, according to the current contract.
Photo taken by STEPHEN LOEWINSOHN
While the City of Oakland struggles to balance its budget, residents in West Oakland are still being exposed to increased air pollution from the same heavy industry that the City promised to relocate over a year ago.
Ray Kidd, a community leader in West Oakland, California talks about the air quality concerns in his community and how Global Community Monitor helped them out with the bucket brigade.
Usually when you read a news story about the environment, the great conflict takes center stage – jobs versus the environment, community members versus corporations, health versus toxics. That’s why I was shocked (and heartened) by the recent article in the East Bay Express, The Recycler Relocation Project. Of course, the article includes statements from a wide range of individuals – from corporate executives and a city-wide developer to community members and environmental justice organizations. But the thing that’s so interesting about this story is that everyone is pretty much agreeing with each other: The two metal recyclers, currently located in residential areas of West Oakland, would be better suited at the old Oakland Army Base next to similar heavy industry.
The community has carried the pollution burden too long, the recycling facilities want to expand their business and the developer sees great opportunity in it. What’s groundbreaking here is that there is a clear and feasible win-win solution for residents and industry. Additionally, the move will stimulate new economic development that will benefit the entire city. The expansion of the recycling industry will create more jobs and the vacated land that the recyclers currently occupy could be ideal for small businesses serving the neighborhood.
The problem here is that this isn’t a new idea. It has actually been discussed by City Council for years. And, if you’ve been following along, West Oakland already agreed in Jean Quan’s Town Hall meeting back in early February. Yet, progress continues to move very slowly in order to come to a decision on the issue.
Ultimately, it’s going to come down to us, the people with a broader vision, to tell the City Council our concerns and press for urgency. We need to come together on the issue and unite with other Oakland residents to show the City Council how important this relocation is. So sign the petition, get your friends and neighbors to do the same, and let’s create win-win story we all want to read about.
When we send our kids to school, we realize that they may face some uncomfortable or even dangerous situations. What if the older kids pick on them? Is this school known for violence or gangs? Is there a drug problem at the school? How do I know my child is safe?
However, the more we know about the risks at schools the safer our kids can be. We can educate ourselves and talk with our kids about what to do in a dangerous situation. We can make changes in our community by getting involved.
However, the more we know about the risks at schools the safer our kids can be. We can educate ourselves and talk with our kids about what to do in a dangerous situation. We can make changes in our community by getting involved.
US EPA selected Paulsboro High School for monitoring potential impacts of toxic air pollutants.
But, what about the dangers that can go unnoticed, the risks that you can’t see?
Anyone who’s been to multiple Town Hall meetings is well aware that some are nothing more than a dog and pony show, a public relations attempt to credit the politician with caring about community concerns. Well, for all you activists out there – don’t get too jaded yet.
Jean Quan, Mayor of Oakland held her first town hall meeting in West Oakland on Saturday, February 5, and over 200 community residents attended! The meeting was even structured with break out groups, based on a variety of community topics ranging from public safety to the environment. Each group was able to discuss and list out solutions in order of priority, on giant pieces of butcher paper which were then handed over to the Mayor herself.
In case participatory democracy in Oakland politics isn’t a highlight enough, the community actually identified tangible solutions in which everyone in attendance could agree on! One solution even appeared as a top priority in two of the break out groups. Sounds like Mayor Quan knows exactly what she needs to work on – Relocating the Recyclers. Read the rest of this entry »
While neighbors of industrial facilities have increasingly documented that they are exposed daily to low level mixes of chemicals, there remain many unknowns about the relationship between this toxic pollution and human health. Health Departments and Environmental Regulators are slow to connect the dots, moving at glacial speed and using antiquated health guidelines, while communities suffer and are told there is no health impact, without really being evaluated.
Global Community Monitor is preparing the challenge to this paradigm by launching a bold new initiative to better understand how toxic pollution finds its way into our bodies. Read the rest of this entry »
Air Hugger 