Environmental Justice Identification & Proposed Outreach Report Statewide Transportation Improvement Program FY 2012-2015 October 2011 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Contents I. Introduction.................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 II. Purpose............................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 III. Environmental Justice Education and Public Outreach ................................................................................... 6 IV. Methodology..............................................................................................................................................................................18 V. STIP State Area Maps ...........................................................................................................................................................21 VI. STIP District Area Maps ......................................................................................................................................................24 VI. STIP District Area Maps ......................................................................................................................................................25 A. District 1.......................................................................................................................................................................................27 B. District 2.......................................................................................................................................................................................34 C. District 3.......................................................................................................................................................................................41 D. District 4.......................................................................................................................................................................................48 E. District 5.......................................................................................................................................................................................54 F. District 6.......................................................................................................................................................................................60 VII. Focus and Findings ...............................................................................................................................................................66 VIII. Sources of Information.......................................................................................................................................................71 2 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation I. Introduction In 2005, the President signed into law the Safe, Community groups now understand the importance of transportation policies and the impact these policies have on the economy and the society as a whole. Accountable, Flexible, Efficiency Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). SAFETEA-LU guaranteed funding for highways, highway safety, and public transportation. Two bills that preceded SAFETEA-LU were the Intermodal Surface Transportation and Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) and the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). (ISTEA required that each state develop a State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), and submit it to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for approval). The STIP identifies federally funded transportation projects such as highway, maintenance, bicycle, and pedestrian projects. It is financially constrained (the dollar value of projects programmed is equal to the anticipated revenues per program year), and includes projects consistent with the Statewide Transportation Plan. The Georgia STIP includes transportation projects for rural areas that were developed in the Georgia Department of Transportation's (GDOT's) ongoing planning process. All transportation projects included in the STIP emphasize the maintenance, safety, and improvement of existing transportation facilities and public transportation systems that support the GDOT's mission to "provide a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia's economy and is sensitive to its citizens and the environment." Per federal law, STIP's must involve early and continuous public involvement. Every effort must be made to conduct activities in a non-discriminatory manner. In 1964, Title VI was enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. In 1969, Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires the Federal Government, in cooperation with state and local government 3 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practicable means and measures to create and maintain conditions where man and nature can co-exist. In 1994, President Clinton signed the Environmental Justice (EJ) Executive Order 12898. Compared to the civil rights act, both actions address non-discrimination, identify minority populations, and seek meaningful involvement of impacted citizens. However, the EJ Executive Order covers both minority and low-income in its protective class, whereas the civil rights act covers only minorities. There are several federal regulations, statues, policies, and technical advisories requiring Federal agencies to conduct community impact assessments to determine the impact of governmental decisions on a community and its quality of life. As stated in the guidebook entitled the Community Impact Assessment A Quick Reference for Transportation (1996), developed by several State and local transportation professionals in consultation with the FHWA, "... community impact assessments are a process to evaluate the effects of a transportation action on a community and its quality of life. These assessments ensure that transportation projects achieve environmental justice and that they do not discriminate. They should include items of importance to people, such as mobility, safety, employment effects, relocation, isolation, and other community services." Public involvement must be an integral part of conducting community impact assessments. With this in mind, the FHWA has built a framework of policies and procedures to help achieve its social, economic, and environmental goals while accomplishing its transportation mission. Since 1970, the Federal-Aid Highway Program has required full consideration of possible adverse social, economic, and environmental effects during project planning, development, and decision-making. This report details the efforts made to identify EJ populations within the STIP area and the strategies used to target these populations through the public involvement process. 4 II. Purpose Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation This document has been prepared to assist in the development of the STIP for the rural counties located in the state of Georgia. The STIP is a list of all projects in Georgia for which Federal funding is proposed to be used and includes highways, public transit, and multimodal projects. Information contained in this report will be used to identify both where Environmental Justice (EJ) Populations exist in the study area and strategies for ensuring that public involvement is inclusive of EJ populations (minorities, Hispanics, elderly, low-income). More specifically, this document includes the following: (1) methodology used to determine the EJ threshold for minorities, Hispanic, low-income, and elderly; (2) identification of EJ communities that are above the EJ threshold; (3) information on public outreach strategies and best practices; and (4) identification of local EJ organizations and resources for major EJ news and information. Low-income and under-represented communities, often called EJ communities, must be identified and encouraged to participate in discussions on transportation projects that have the potential to impact their lives. The involvement of affected communities must begin early in the process. Transportation staff must be able to effectively communicate with all stakeholders, including rural local government and EJ communities. There are techniques available through the USDOT (FHWA/FTA) that provide useful information helpful in the development of public involvement processes; however, these are only guidelines and must be modified to include state and local strategies. 5 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation III. Environmental Justice Education and Public Outreach A. Public Outreach and Involvement Public outreach and involvement is extremely important if states are to effectively integrate environmental justice concerns into transportation decision-making. Outreach has always been a major part of State DOT project implementation plans. The difference is that EJ now requires every state to develop public outreach strategies to ensure that there is meaningful involvement of minority and low-income populations in transportation decision making. During the planning stage and prior to the project development stage, efforts must be made to identify EJ populations. EJ populations can be identified using the following main sources: (1) U.S. Census Bureau Data and (2) data collected from local government planning departments and DOT transportation staff. Section IV below discusses the methodology for identifying the EJ populations for the GDOT rural counties. Public Involvement Techniques published by USDOT and other federal agencies are readily available online or through government printing offices. The FHWA and FTA published a guidebook entitled Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decision-making (1996). However, as previously stated, this is only a guidebook. There is no one program that fits every situation. In most instances, an outreach strategy must be developed for each project based upon the specifics of the study area. As stated in GDOT's 2007-2009 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, developed by Sycamore, Inc., the STIP public involvement process includes an environmental justice program that is designed to build and sustain meaningful participation of EJ populations in the rural districts. Specifically, the technical approach of this program includes: Coordination of meeting notices with grass-roots organizations representing the interests of environmental justice populations, including neighborhood groups, religious institutions, and senior centers; Distribution of study information via public libraries, schools superintendents, and social and community organizations as they express interest or are identified through the stakeholder process; 6 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Provision of translation services, as needed, to ensure suitable communication; and Adherence to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements for public information. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the GDOT and study area municipalities, if requested, have provided special assistance at the meetings for those persons who were disabled (those persons requiring special assistance, including translation services, must send written notification to the appropriate district contact at least five days prior to the Public Information Meeting). All notices and meeting announcements contain information concerning the process for requesting reasonable special accommodations, and included the name and contact information for the district contact person. Each area developed processes for getting information out to affected populations remembering that not everyone has access to email, Internet, or to the local newspaper. Innovative outreach techniques were developed to identify minority and lowincome populations, encouraged them to participate, and ensured that reasonable efforts were made to address their concerns and provide them with meaningful opportunities to comment on proposed transportation projects. (1) Public Outreach Strategies The public involvement process included: development of a stakeholder database coordination of media review of website content scheduling of public meetings development of meeting handouts opportunity for public comment collection and analysis of data development of annual Public Involvement Report 7 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Public outreach materials were placed in public locations frequently visited by the affected communities/EJ populations. These public locations included: churches religious, social, and cultural organizations traditional and non-traditional educational institutions grocery, clothing, and thrift stores community-based organizations and recreational facilities government agencies community action agencies senior citizen groups clinics and healthcare facilities laundromats and other local businesses and trade organizations environmental and EJ organizations Information was also placed in local newspapers, radio, and other media. Advertisements were placed in popular sections of the newspaper and were written in the language spoken by affected communities/EJ populations. Public meetings were designed to provide information, ask for input, and create solutions. Some important issues considered when organizing the public meetings are: Time and location of the meeting. It is important to make sure the meeting is convenient for all participants, being careful to consider the schedules of underrepresented populations minority, Hispanic, and low-income. Scheduling conflicts may require holding more than one meeting at various times. Address language barrier. A translator should be present at the meeting to translate information presented by the presenter and comments from members of the audience, if appropriate. Independent facilitator. When there are large groups, or when major conflicts are anticipated, consider using a neutral facilitator at community meetings, task force meetings, etc. 8 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Meeting location should be accessible. Host meetings at locations that are accessible by transit riders. Locations should also be handicap accessible. Meetings should be hosted in the community instead of at a government building. Allow opportunity for shy participants to comment. Provide comment cards that participants can mail back. Comment cards must include contact person name, phone number, and mailing information. (2) GDOT Public Outreach Strategy for Rural Counties The STIP public involvement strategy included a range of techniques that meet the needs of each district and allow for flexibility if the needs of the target audiences, or proposed project, changes. Below is an outline of project deliverables for the subject area. (a). Stakeholder Database. An essential component of the public involvement strategy was the development of a comprehensive stakeholder database of individuals, communities, businesses, faith-based organizations, environmental groups, and other interested parties as identified through the stakeholder involvement process or as interest is shown in the studies. The database was used to disseminate information about the study. The list, used to facilitate invitation of stakeholders to meetings, was built upon the existing GDOT Family of Partners database, lists from previous studies completed in the study area, and other sources. The database was updated throughout this STIP cycle as new stakeholders were defined. (b). Media Coordination. Draft press releases were developed for finalization and approval by the GDOT Project Manager. A proactive approach to these efforts made accurate, up-to-date information available to the public and helped to minimize misconceptions or misinformation. Information was disseminated using press releases, paid radio advertisements, and GDOT web site announcements. (c). Study Website Materials. Study website materials from each public information open house meeting, including meeting announcements, were made available to GDOT for 9 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation posting to the department`s website. The website address was displayed on all study public informational materials. (d). Public Meetings. All facility logistics were coordinated through the GDOT District Planning & Programming Engineers. The number of meetings was determined based on consultation and coordination with each district. Districts were encouraged to dovetail meetings where one meeting location was able to serve the stakeholders in two adjacent districts. To ensure EJ populations were equitably served by the meetings, every attempt was made to ensure that meeting venues were ADA compliant, easily accessible by public transportation, and located near the areas identified through analysis as EJ communities. In addition, every attempt was made to secure meeting venues that were nonthreatening, and were welcoming and familiar locations. Schools, public places such as malls and welcome centers, religious institutions, and recreation centers were all viable options for meeting locations. (e). Meeting Handouts & Materials. Meeting notifications were distributed to the study`s stakeholder database before each public meeting. The types of meeting materials that were developed included flyers, handouts, graphics, and maps that illustrated the location of STIP projects. These collateral materials and maps were essential to provide straightforward information to the public. Considering the existence of concentrations of Spanish-speaking citizens in certain districts, relevant materials were translated into Spanish on an as-needed basis to ensure successful outreach efforts to those populations. Additionally, flyers were prepared and mailed to different locations, to be posted throughout the STIP area, to advertise each public meeting. Potential locations included libraries, social and civic buildings, and other major activity centers. (f). Public Comment & Collection. Meeting attendees had the opportunity to provide input on displays and information made available to them at each public meeting location. Comment forms were made available for completion on site or to be returned to GDOT via postal mail or fax. Comment forms also served as meeting evaluation surveys, as attendees were encouraged to provide feedback on the quality of each public involvement activity and the community outreach strategies employed. 10 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation (g). Annual Public Involvement Report. At the conclusion of the STIP cycle, a comprehensive report based on all public outreach was prepared. The report synthesized all process documentation completed throughout the preparation and implementation of the meetings. Though EJ population trends vary by district, these public outreach techniques were successfully used in each district throughout the STIP study area. The public outreach techniques were further refined so that the EJ populations and their geographic concentrations dictated how the outreach techniques were targeted for each district. Customized outreach strategies for each GDOT district are outlined below in Tables 1 - 6. The methodology used to identify the EJ populations within each county is described in section IV of this document. EJ Category Minority Hispanic Low-Income Elderly Table 1: District 1 Geographic Areas Elbert, Hart, Walton, Barrow Counties Rabun, Lumpkin, Habersham, Banks, Jackson, Elbert and Barrow Counties Lumpkin, Habersham, Stephens, Banks, Franklin, Hart, Elbert, Walton Counties Union, Towns, Rabun, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Hart, Elbert, Madison, Jackson, Barrow, Walton Counties Outreach Targets Recreation Centers, Neighborhood Associations, Churches Recreation Centers, Churches, Latin American Associations Recreation Centers, Neighborhood Associations, Churches Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Civic Clubs, RV Interest Groups 11 EJ Category Minority Hispanic Low-Income Elderly Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Table 2: District 2 Geographic Areas Newton, Morgan, Greene, Taliaferro, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Lincoln, McDuffie, Warren, Hancock, Putnam, Jasper, Baldwin, Wilkinson, Washington, Jefferson, Burke, Screven, Jenkins, Emanuel, Johnson, Treutlen, Laurens, Bleckley, Dodge Counties Newton, Morgan, Putnam, Baldwin, Greene, Wilkes, Columbia, Jenkins, Emanuel Counties Newton, Jasper, Putnam, Greene, Taliaferro, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Lincoln, McDuffie, Warren, Hancock, Baldwin, Glascock, Wilkinson, Washington, Jefferson, Burke, Screven, Jenkins, Emanuel, Treutlen, Johnson, Laurens, Bleckley, Dodge Counties Newton, Jasper, Morgan, Putnam, Greene, Taliaferro, Oglethorpe, Wilkes, Lincoln, Columbia, McDuffie, Warren, Hancock, Baldwin, Glascock, Wilkinson, Washington, Jefferson, Burke, Screven, Jenkins, Emanuel, Johnson, Treutlen, Laurens, Bleckley, Dodge Counties Outreach Targets Recreation Centers, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League) Neighborhood Associations, Churches, Major Activity Centers (Malls) Recreation Centers, Churches, Latin American Associations, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League), Major Activity Centers (Malls) Recreation Centers, Neighborhood Associations, Churches, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League), Major Activity Centers (Malls) Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Civic Clubs, Social Services 12 EJ Category Minority Hispanic Low-Income Elderly Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Table 3: District 3 Geographic Areas Outreach Targets Troup, Meriwether, Spalding, Butts, Lamar, Monroe, Jones, Harris, Talbot, Upson, Taylor, Crawford, Twiggs, Peach, Macon, Schley, Marion, Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Dooly, Pulaski Counties Recreation Centers, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League) Neighborhood Associations, Churches, Major Activity Centers (Malls), University (Ft. Valley State) Recreation Centers, Churches, Latin American Associations, Taylor, Peach, Pulaski, Dooly, Sumter, Social Services, Interest Groups Macon, Webster, Marion, Troup Counties (NAACP, United Way, Urban League), Major Activity Centers (Malls) Heard, Troup, Meriwether, Spalding, Lamar, Upson, Talbot, Crawford, Twiggs, Taylor, Peach, Macon, Dooly, Pulaski, Sumter, Schley, Marion, Webster, Stewart Counties Recreation Centers, Neighborhood Associations, Churches, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League), Major Activity Centers (Malls) Troup, Meriwether, Spalding, Lamar, Butts, Jones, Upson, Talbot, Harris, Taylor, Crawford, Peach, Macon, Pulaski, Twiggs, Dooly, Sumter, Webster, Stewart Counties Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Churches, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League), Major Activity Centers (Malls) 13 EJ Category Minority Hispanic Low-Income Elderly Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Table 4: District 4 Geographic Areas Outreach Targets Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, Lee, Crisp, Recreation Centers, Social Turner, Wilcox, Clay Calhoun, Early, Services, Interest Groups Miller, Seminole, Decatur, Baker, (NAACP, United Way, Urban Mitchell, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Clinch, League) Neighborhood Lanier, Cook, Colquitt, Worth, Tift, Associations, Churches, Berrien, Atkinson, Coffee, Irwin, Ben Hill Universities (Albany State, Counties Valdosta State) Crisp, Wilcox, Calhoun, Seminole, Decatur, Baker, Mitchell, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Cook, Colquitt, Tift, Berrien, Atkinson, Coffee, Ben Hill, Echols Counties Recreation Centers, Churches, Latin American Associations, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League), Major Activity Centers (Malls) Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, Lee, Crisp, Turner, Wilcox, Clay Calhoun, Early, Recreation Centers, Churches, Miller, Seminole, Decatur, Baker, Social Services, Interest Groups Mitchell, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Clinch, (NAACP, United Way, Urban Lanier, Cook, Colquitt, Worth, Tift, League), Major Activity Centers Berrien, Atkinson, Coffee, Irwin, Ben (Malls) Hill, Echols Counties Quitman, Randolph, Terrell, Crisp, Turner, Wilcox, Clay Calhoun, Early, Recreation Centers, Senior Miller, Seminole, Decatur, Baker, Centers, Churches, Social Mitchell, Grady, Thomas, Brooks, Clinch, Services, Major Activity Centers Cook, Colquitt, Worth, Tift, Berrien, (Malls) Coffee, Irwin, Ben Hill, Echols Counties 14 EJ Category Minority Hispanic Low-Income Elderly Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Table 5: District 5 Geographic Areas Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery, Toombs, Candler, Bulloch, Evans, Tattnall, Jeff Davis, Appling, Long, Wayne, McIntosh, Camden, Charlton, Ware Counties Wheeler, Montgomery, Toombs, Candler, Bulloch, Evans, Tattnall, Jeff Davis, Appling, Long, Wayne, Bacon, Pierce, Ware, Wayne, Camden Counties Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery, Toombs, Tattnall, Evans, Candler, Bulloch, Effingham, Bryan, Jeff Davis, Bacon, Appling, Long, Wayne, McIntosh, Camden, Brantley, Charlton, Ware, Pierce Counties Telfair, Wheeler, Montgomery, Toombs, Tattnall, Evans, Candler, Bulloch, Jeff Davis, Bacon, Appling, Wayne, McIntosh, Brantley, Ware, Pierce Counties Outreach Targets Recreation Centers, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League) Neighborhood Associations, Churches, Major Activity Centers (Malls) Recreation Centers, Churches, Latin American Associations, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League) Recreation Centers, Churches, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League) Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Churches, Social Services 15 EJ Category Minority Hispanic Low-Income Elderly Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Table 6: District 6 Geographic Areas Chattooga, Gordon, Polk, Carroll Counties Chattooga, Murray, Gordon, Gilmer, Pickens, Bartow, Polk, Carroll Counties Chattooga, Walker, Murray, Gilmer, Gordon, Bartow, Polk, Haralson, Carroll Counties Dade, Walker, Murray, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Gordon, Bartow, Chattooga, Polk, Haralson, Carroll, Counties Outreach Targets Recreation Centers, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League) Neighborhood Associations, Churches, Major Activity Centers (Malls) Recreation Centers, Churches, Latin American Associations, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League) Recreation Centers, Churches, Social Services, Interest Groups (NAACP, United Way, Urban League) Recreation Centers, Senior Centers, Churches, Social Services (3) Public Involvement Documentation and Program Evaluation Comprehensive documentation and accurate interpretation and analysis of findings are essential to the successful implementation of the STIP public involvement process. Documenting all aspects of the public involvement process will help GDOT to maintain continuity in decision-making and to improve future STIP meetings. Information collected is also useful in developing a public involvement evaluation plan. A public involvement evaluation plan is a key aspect of developing a public involvement strategy. Spurred by federal interest, regional planning organizations and other agencies have started evaluating all public involvement efforts in order to determine which techniques are most effective and under which circumstances they are not. Evaluation measures are also important in documenting the level of public involvement achieved. The 16 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation following table outlines the major tasks and key performance measures taken from the 2007-2009 Environmental Justice Outreach Report developed by Sycamore, Incorporated. Table 7: Public Involvement Plan Evaluation Technique Performance Measures Study Database/ Mailing List Number of contacts; Number of mailings Amount of media coverage; Accuracy of Media Coordination information delivered to citizens; Accessibility to media outlets for affected parties Number of website visitors; Number of Study Website Content comments received; Types of comments received Location of meeting venues with respect to EJ populations; Location of meeting Public Meetings venues with respect to public transportation (where applicable); Number of attendees Number of notifications/flyers distributed; Timeliness of distribution; Meeting Handouts & Other Materials Notification/flyers are translated as needed; Number of avenues used to reach the public Public Comment Collection & Analysis Number of comments received; Types of comments received 17 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation IV. Methodology This section describes the methodology employed in defining and identifying environmental justice populations in the GDOT STIP area. The rural STIP area consists of the 130 counties in Georgia that are the responsibility of the GDOT and not under the authority of the 29 counties included in the MPO areas. Figure 1: Georgia Counties - STIP Rural Study Area CATOOSA DADE WALKER WHITFIELD MURRAY CHATTOOGA GORDON FANNIN UNION TOWNS RABUN GILMER PICKENS WHITE LUMPKIN HABERSHAM STEPHENS DAWSON FLOYD BARTOW CHEROKEE FORSYTH HALL BANKS FRANKLIN HART JACKSON MADISON ELBERT POLK PAULDING HARALSON COBB GWINNETT BARROW FULTON DEKALB WALTON CLARKE OCONEE OGLETHORPE WILKES LINCOLN DOUGLAS ROCKDALE CARROLL HEARD COWETA CLAYTON FAYETTE HENRY SPALDING NEWTON MORGAN GREENE TALIAFERRO COLUMBIA MCDUFFIE BUTTS JASPER PUTNAM WARREN HANCOCK GLASCOCK RICHMOND TROUP MERIWETHER PIKE LAMAR MONROE JONES BALDWIN WASHINGTON JEFFERSON BURKE UPSON HARRIS TALBOT CRAWFORD BIBB WILKINSON TWIGGS JOHNSON JENKINS SCREVEN MUSCOGEE TAYLOR CHATTAHOOCHEE MARION SCHLEY MACON STEWART WEBSTER SUMTER QUITMAN RANDOLPH TERRELL LEE PEACH HOUSTON BLECKLEY DOOLY PULASKI DODGE CRISP WILCOX TURNER BEN HILL LAURENS EMANUEL TREUTLEN CANDLER BULLOCH EFFINGHAM MONTGOMERY WHEELER TOOMBS EVANS TATTNALL TELFAIR BRYAN JEFF DAVIS APPLING LONG LIBERTY CHATHAM CLAY CALHOUN DOUGHERTY WORTH IRWIN TIFT COFFEE BACON WAYNE MCINTOSH EARLY MILLER BAKER MITCHELL COLQUITT BERRIEN COOK ATKINSON PIERCE BRANTLEY GLYNN LANIER WARE SEMINOLE DECATUR GRADY THOMAS BROOKS LOWNDES CLINCH ECHOLS CHARLTON CAMDEN STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties 0 20 40 Miles 18 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 1: Georgia Counties - STIP Rural Study Area is a map that displays the counties in Georgia and details the study area for this report. To better guide the environmental justice outreach program, an analysis of racial, ethnic, income, and age demographics for each STIP county was conducted. The populations analyzed were the Minority, Hispanic, low-income, and elderly communities in the rural STIP area. For the purpose of this analysis the Minority variable is defined as "All persons except non-Hispanic one-race-only Whites." Upon selecting these variables for study, data for each of the 621 Census tracts in the 130 counties in the STIP study area were collected from the U.S. Census website (http://www.census.gov). Data from the 2000 Census was utilized during this STIP period because complete 2010 Census data was still not readily available for use. Relevant data from the 2000 Census included the following (collected at the tract level): total population, total minority population, total Hispanic population, total number of individuals below the poverty level, and total population age 65 and above. Each variable was then calculated as a percentage of the total population of each tract. Additionally, each variable was calculated as a percentage of the total population for each county and as a percentage of the total population for the entire rural STIP study area. Within the large rural area of the State of Georgia that was considered, an average percentage for each variable was calculated. This percentage was used as the threshold above which a Census tract level population was considered an "EJ population." Where a Census tract`s percentage on a variable met or exceeded the expected STIP-wide percentage, the Census tract was identified as an EJ community. In other words, these tracts had a largerthan-average percentage of minorities, Hispanics, low-income, or elderly residents. Throughout this report, the terms "EJ community" or "EJ population" refer to a group that is above the STIP-wide threshold. See Table 8 for the EJ thresholds based on STIP-wide population characteristics. Table 8: Environmental Justice Thresholds Low- Elderly Minority Hispanic Income (65+) STIP-Wide Percentage 27.4% 3.0% 15.5% 11.8% Source: 2000 U.S. Census 19 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Additionally, the STIP area census tracts with values higher than the calculated threshold were stratified in classes between I and IV (Class I being the values closest to the threshold and Class IV being the highest values). The Classes were calculated using the "equal number of features" classification algorithm. By using this method, each class was equally represented in the study area. See Table 9 for the class breaks for each class of each variable. Variable Minority Hispanic Low- income Elderly Table 9: Environmental Justice Class Breaks # of Census Class I Class II Class III Tracts 284 27.4%-35.0% (73) 35.0%-44.0% (73) 44.0%-54.8% (71) 159 3.0%-3.9% (40) 3.9%-5.4% (40) 5.4%-8.8% (40) 301 15.5%-18.0% (76) 18.0%-21.1% (80) 21.1%-25.1% (76) 323 11.8%-13.0% (85) 13.0%-14.3% (84) 14.3%-16.2% (81) Source: 2000 U.S. Census. Class IV 54.8%-95.3% (74) 8.8%-30.2% (40) 25.1%-54.9% (77) 16.2%-28.5% (86) 20 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation V. STIP State Area Maps The following section contains information on the variables (Minority, Hispanic, Lowincome, and Elderly) calculated for the study to generate both the State and District Maps. It also contains all State Maps. District Maps can be found in Section VI below. Figure 2: STIP Area Minority EJ Population CATOOSA WALKER WHITFIELD FLOYD CHEROKEE FORSYTH HALL PAULDING COBB GWINNETT DOUGLAS FULTON DEKALB ROCKDALE CLAYTON COWETA FAYETTE HENRY SPALDING CLARKE OCONEE STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District Minority Class I 27.4% - 35.0% Class II 35.0% - 44.0% Class III 44.0% - 54.8% Class IV54.8% - 95.3% 0 20 40 Miles RICHMOND MUSCOGEE CHATTAHOOCHEE BIBB HOUSTON DOUGHERTY LOWNDES CHATHAM LIBERTY GLYNN 21 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 3: STIP Area Hispanic EJ Population CATOOSA WHITFIELD FLOYD CHEROKEE FORSYTH HALL PAULDING COBB GWINNETT DOUGLAS FULTON DEKALB ROCKDALE CLAYTON FAYETTE COWETA HENRY CLARKE OCONEE STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District Hispanic Class I 3.0% - 3.9% Class II 3.9% - 5.4% Class III 5.4% - 8.8% Class IV 8.8% - 30.2% 0 20 40 Miles RICHMOND MUSCOGEE CHATTAHOOCHEE BIBB HOUSTON DOUGHERTY LOWNDES CHATHAM LIBERTY GLYNN 22 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 4: STIP Area Low-Income EJ Population CATOOSA WHITFIELD FLOYD CHEROKEE FORSYTH HALL PAULDING COBB GWINNETT DOUGLAS FULTON DEKALB ROCKDALE CLAYTON FAYETTE COWETA HENRY CLARKE OCONEE STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District Poverty Class I 15.5% - 18.0% Class II 18.0% - 21.1% Class III 21.1% - 25.1% Class IV 25.1% - 54.9% 0 20 40 Miles RICHMOND MUSCOGEE CHATTAHOOCHEE BIBB HOUSTON DOUGHERTY LOWNDES CHATHAM LIBERTY GLYNN 23 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 5: STIP Area Elderly EJ Population CATOOSA WALKER WHITFIELD FLOYD CHEROKEE FORSYTH HALL PAULDING COBB GWINNETT DOUGLAS FULTON DEKALB ROCKDALE CLAYTON COWETA FAYETTE HENRY SPALDING CLARKE OCONEE STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District Elderly Class I 11.8% - 13.0% Class II 13.0% - 14.3% Class III 14.3% - 16.2% Class IV 16.2% - 28.5% 0 20 40 Miles RICHMOND MUSCOGEE CHATTAHOOCHEE BIBB HOUSTON DOUGHERTY LOWNDES CHATHAM LIBERTY GLYNN 24 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation VI. STIP District Area Maps This section narrows the EJ analysis from the entire rural STIP area to the district level, providing two sets of information for each rural district. First, a summary of EJ populations based on Census data is provided for each district, including the location and intensity of the populations. Similar to the maps in the body of the report, the district maps draw two geographic distinctions. The first is whether or not an area is above or below the EJ threshold. As mentioned previously, in addition to merely determining the EJ status of a population, each was placed in one of four classes, denoted Class I, Class II, Class III, or Class IV. A Class I population is only slightly higher than the EJ threshold, while a Class IV population is much higher. 25 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 6: Georgia DOT Districts 26 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation A. District 1 District 1 is located in northeastern Georgia and consists of twenty-one counties. It begins directly northeast of the Atlanta metro area and stretches to the North Carolina and South Carolina borders. The STIP study area consists of sixteen counties, and thus does not include the five counties in District 1 that are under the authority of the MPOs. District 1 contains seventy-four census tracts of which nine (12.2%) are over the Minority EJ threshold, eighteen (24.3%) are over the Hispanic EJ threshold, thirteen (17.6%) are over the Low-Income EJ threshold, and forty-six (62.2%) are over the Elderly EJ threshold. 27 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 7: District 1 $ $ $ $ Fann$in GA$ $ $ HIAWASSEE $ YOUN$ G HARRIS Towns GA $ BLAIRSVILLE Union GA $ $ STIP Counties $ Non-STIP Counties $ DIL$ LARD Census Tract $MOUNTAIN CITY District 1 Rabu$n GA $ STIP Coun$ties:1 $ 0 9 1$ 8 $ $ $ $ $ Mile$s $ er GA s$GA $ $ $ $ HELEN $ White GA HabershaCmLAGRAKESVILLE $ $ Lumpkin GA CLEVELAND $ DEMORESStTep$hens GA $$ $ $ $ DA$ HLONEGA $ Dawson GA $ DAWSONVILLE $ C$ORNELIA $ $ $ AVALON $ $ $ LAVO$ NIA $ REED CREEK Hall GA $ $ Banks GA $ $ HOMER Frank$lin GA $ $ Hart G$A $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ e GA $ $ $ $$ Forsyth GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ BOWMAN $ PENDERGRASS $ Jac$kson GA Madis$on GA $ BRASELTON $ $ NICHOLSON $ COMER Elb$EeLrtBGEARTON COLBER$T CARLTON $ $ $ $ $ Barro$w GA $ $ Gwinnet$t GA $ $ $ $ $ Clark$e GA $ n GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $$ $ $ D$ e$Kalb $ GA $ $ $ $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ Walt on$MGOANR$OE $ $ $ O$conee GA $ $ $ Og$lethorpe GA $ $ $ Wilkes GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Linc $ $ $ $ $ $ Clayton GA Rockda$le GA $ $ $ Ne$wton GA $ Morgan GA $ $ $ $ Gree$ne GA Taliaf erro $ GA$ 1. Minority EJ Population Figure 8 is a map of the Minority EJ Population located in District 1. In this district, only 12% of tracts have minority populations above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows that there are no Class IV tracts and three Class III tracts. The Class III tracts are located in the towns of Elberton (Elbert County) and Monroe (Walton County). There is one Class II tract also located in the town of Elberton (Elbert County). There are five Class I tracts. Two are located in the town of Hartwell (Hart County), one is located in the town of 28 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Winder (Barrow County), one is located in the town of Social Circle (Walton County), and one is located in the town of Elberton (Elbert County). Figure 8: District 1 Minority EJ Population Fannin GA Union GA Towns GA Rabun GA GA White GA Habersham GA Lumpkin GA Stephens GA GA Dawson GA GA Forsyth GA Hall GA Banks GA Franklin GA Jackson GA Madison GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 1 Minority Class I 27.4% - 35.0% Class II 35.0% - 44.0% Class III 44.0% - 54.8% Class IV 54.8% - 95.3% 0 9 18 Miles Hart GA Elbert GA Gwinnett GA GA DeKalb GA Barrow GA Walton GA Clarke GA Oconee GA Oglethorpe GA Wilkes GA Li layton GA Rockdale GA Newton GA Morgan GA Greene GA Taliaferro GA 29 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 2. Hispanic EJ Population Figure 9 is a map of the Hispanic EJ Population located in District 1. Figure 9: District 1 Hispanic EJ Population Fannin GA Union GA Towns GA Rabun GA GA White GA Habersham GA Lumpkin GA Stephens GA GA Dawson GA GA Forsyth GA Hall GA Banks GA Franklin GA Jackson GA Madison GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 1 Hispanic Class I 3.0% - 3.9% Class II 3.9% - 5.4% Class III 5.4% - 8.8% Class IV 8.8% - 30.2% 0 9 18 Miles Hart GA Elbert GA Gwinnett GA GA DeKalb GA Barrow GA Walton GA Clarke GA Oconee GA Oglethorpe GA Wilkes GA Li Rockdale GA layton GA Newton GA Morgan GA Greene GA Taliaferro GA About 24% of the census tracts in the district are at or above the Hispanic EJ population threshold. The analysis shows that there are two Class IV census tracts located in the towns of Demorest and Clarksville (Habersham County). There are four Class III tracts. One is located in the town of Demorest (Habersham County), and the others are located in Lumpkin, Banks, and Rabun Counties. There are seven Class II census tracts. One is 30 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation located in Barrow County, two are in Elbert County, one is in Rabun County, two are in Jackson County, and one is Habersham County. There are five Class I tracts located in four counties: two are in Barrow County, and one each is in Banks, Habersham and Jackson counties. 3. Low-Income EJ Population Figure 10 is a map of the Low-Income EJ Population located in District 1. Only 17.6% of the District 1 census tracts fall into the low-income EJ population category. There are no Class IV tracts and six Class III tracts in the district. Two Class III tracts are located in the town of Elberton (Elbert County), and one each in the towns of Dahlonega (Lumpkin County), Royston (Hart County), Monroe (Walton County), and Toccoa (Stephens County). Additionally, there are seven Class I tracts, two located in Franklin county, and one each in the counties of Walton, Elbert, Habersham, Hart, and Banks. 31 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 10: District 1 Low-Income EJ Population Fannin GA Union GA Towns GA Rabun GA GA White GA Habersham GA Lumpkin GA Stephens GA GA Dawson GA GA Forsyth GA Hall GA Banks GA Franklin GA Jackson GA Madison GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 1 Poverty Class I 15.5% - 18.0% Class II 18.0% - 21.1% Class III 21.1% - 25.1% Class IV 25.1% - 54.9% 0 9 18 Miles Hart GA Elbert GA Gwinnett GA GA DeKalb GA Barrow GA Walton GA Clarke GA Oconee GA Oglethorpe GA Wilkes GA Li layton GA Rockdale GA Newton GA Morgan GA Greene GA Taliaferro GA 4. Elderly EJ Population Figure 11 is a map of the Elderly EJ Population located in District 1. The elderly population is the most significant EJ population in the District, with 62.2% of the census tracts included on this category. This is likely due to the large retirement community in the district. There are twenty Class IV tracts; three each in the counties of Hart, Rabun, Towns, and Union; two each in Elbert and Stephens counties; and one each in Franklin, Habersham, Jackson, and White counties. The nine Class III tracts are located in 32 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Habersham (three tracts), Madison (two tracts), Franklin, Hart, Barrow and Walton Counties. There were seven Class II tracts and ten Class I tracts in the district. Figure 11 indicates in what counties each is located. Figure 11: District 1 Elderly EJ Population Fannin GA Union GA Towns GA Rabun GA GA White GA Habersham GA Lumpkin GA Stephens GA GA Dawson GA GA Forsyth GA Hall GA Banks GA Franklin GA Jackson GA Madison GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 1 Elderly Class I 11.8% - 13.0% Class II 13.0% - 14.3% Class III 14.3% - 16.2% Class IV 16.2% - 28.5% 0 9 18 Miles Hart GA Elbert GA Gwinnett GA GA DeKalb GA Barrow GA Walton GA Clarke GA Oconee GA Oglethorpe GA Wilkes GA Li layton GA Rockdale GA Newton GA Morgan GA Greene GA Taliaferro GA 33 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation B. District 2 District 2 consists of 28 counties to the southeast of the Atlanta metro area, stretching to the South Carolina border. One county in District 2 is under the purview of a metropolitan planning organization and therefore not included in the rural STIP study area, leaving 27 in this assessment. Figure 12: District 2 $ $$ $ WINN$ETT$ J$ack$son GA $ $ $ $ $ Madis$on GA $ $ $ $B$arro$w GA $ $ $ $ CLA$RKE$ Elbe$ rt GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Walto$n GA$ O$CO$N$EE O$gle$ thorpe GA $ $ TIGNALL $ Wilkes GA Linc$oln GA $ $ $ $ $ $ WASHINGTON $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ STIP C$ ounties Non-STIP Counties $$ $ Census Tract $ $$ Distr$ict 2 $ 0 $ 13 26 OCKD$ALE $ $ $ Y $ $ New$ ton GA $$ $ Morgan $ GA $ $BUCGKrHeEe$nAeDG$A Taliaf$erro $GA $ WHITE PLAINS $ $ McDuf $ f ie Columbia GA GA $$ $ $ MARTINEZ $ $ $ $ SHADY DALE $ Warre$n GA $ $ Richmo$nd GA $ Butt$s GA Jaspe$ r GA $ Putn$am GA Hancock$ GA $ $ Gl$ascoc$ k GA$ $ $ $ WRENS Miles $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ GA Monr$oe GA Jones GA $ Baldw$in GA $ $ DEEPSTEP Jefferson GA $ Washin$gton GA $ DAVISBO$ RO $ Burke GA GIRARD $ SARDIS $ IVEY $ $ $ $ rawf$ ord GA $ Bibb G$A $ $ $ Wilkin$son $GA Twiggs G$A OCONEE $ $ $WADLEY $ Joh$nson GA $KITE $ Jenkin$s GA SUMMERTOWN $ $ $ $ Screv$ en GA $ $$ $ Peach GA $ $ Ho$uston GA acon GA $ $ Eman$ uel GSAW$ AINSBORO $ D$UDLEY$ $ DUBLIN $ Bleckley GA $ $ Laurens GA $ RENTZ $ Treutlen GA $ $ NUNEZ $ $ $ $ Candle$ r GA$ Bulloch G$ A $ $ $ Ef f ingh $ $ $ $$ $ $ $ $ Pulaski GA $ $ Dooly GA $ $ Dodg$ e GA $ $$ Mo$ ntg$ $omery GA $ $ $ Wheeler GA Toombs GA $ $ E$va$ $ns G$ A $ $ $ $ $ A $ $ $ $ Tattnall GA Bryan GA $$ $ Crisp GA Wilcox GA$ $ $ $ Telfair GA $ $ $ $ $ J ff D i GA$ $ $ $Lib$erty GA 34 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 1. Minority EJ Population Figure 13 is a map of the Minority EJ Population located in District 2. Figure 13: District 2 Minority EJ Population h GA Jackson GA Madison GA Elbert GA Barrow GA winnett GA Clarke GA Oconee GA Walton GA Oglethorpe GA Wilkes GA Lincoln GA ckdale GA Newton GA Morgan GA Greene GA Taliaferro GA Columbia GA GA Butts GA Jasper GA Putnam GA McDuffie GA Warren GA Hancock GA Glascock GA Richmond GA GA Monroe GA Jones GA Baldwin GA Washington GA Jefferson GA Burke GA Crawford GA Bibb GA Wilkinson GA Twiggs GA Peach GA Johnson GA Jenkins GA Emanuel GA Screven GA acon GA Houston GA Bleckley GA Laurens GA Treutlen GA Candler GA STIP Counties BuNllocnh-SGTAIP CouEnftfiiensgh Census Tract Dooly GA Pulaski GA Dodge GA Montgomery GA Wheeler GA Toombs GA District 2 Minority Evans GAClass I 27.4% - 35.0% A Crisp GA Wilcox GA Telfair GA Tattnall GA Class II 35.0% - 44.0% Class III 44.B0%ry-a5n4.G8%A Class IV 54.8% - 95.3% 0 12 24 GA Ben Hill GA Jeff Davis GA A li GA Liberty GA Miles Long GA The minority population is the greatest EJ population in District 2, as 66.1% of all tracts in the district have populations above the Minority EJ threshold. The analysis shows twenty six Class IV tracts located in the following counties: Baldwin (two tracts), Burke (three tracts), Green (one tract), Hancock (three tracts), Jefferson (two tracts), Newton (two tracts), Laurens (three tracts), Putnam (one tract), Taliaferro (one tract), McDuffie (one 35 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation tract), Warren (three tracts), Washington (three tracts), and Wilkinson (one tract). Twenty-one Class III tracts are found in Screven (four tracts), Jenkins (one tract), Emanuel (one tract), Johnson (one tract), Bleckley (one tract), Washington (one tract), Greene (two tracts), Wilkes (one tract), Morgan (one tract), McDuffie (one tract), Jefferson (one tract), Baldwin (three tracts), and Burke (three tracts). The analysis also shows twenty-three Class II tracts and thirteen Class I tracts across the district. The locations of Class I and Class II tracts can be found in Figure 13. 2. Hispanic EJ Population Figure 14 is a map of the Hispanic EJ Population located in District 2. Hispanic EJ populations are not common in District 2, as only 10.2% of tracts have a Hispanic population above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows no Class IV and one class III tract (in the town of Martinez, Columbia County). There are three Class II tracts with two in the town of Nunez (Emanuel County) and one in Morgan County. Additionally, there are eight Class I census tracts in the district, as shown in Figure 14. There are one each in Baldwin, Greene, Jenkins, Newton, Putnam, and Wilkes counties and two in Emanuel County. 36 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 14: District 2 Hispanic EJ Population Jackson GA Madison GA Elbert GA WINNETT Barrow GA Walton GA CLARKE OCONEE Oglethorpe GA Wilkes GA Lincoln GA OCKDALE Newton GA Morgan GA Greene GA Taliaferro GA Columbia GA Y Jasper GA Butts GA Putnam GA McDuffie GA Warren GA Hancock GA Glascock GA Richmond GA GA Monroe GA Jones GA Baldwin GA Washington GA Jefferson GA Burke GA Crawford GA Bibb GA Wilkinson GA Twiggs GA Peach GA Johnson GA Jenkins GA Emanuel GA Screven GA acon GA A Houston GA Bleckley GA Laurens GA Treutlen GA Candler GA STIP Counties BNCueollonncs-hSuTGsIAPTrCaocutntEieffsingh District 2 Dooly GA Pulaski GA Dodge GA Montgomery GA Wheeler GA Toombs GA Hispanic Evans GCAlass I 3.0% - 3.9% Class II 3.9% - 5.4% Crisp GA Wilcox GA Telfair GA Tattnall GA 0 Class III Class IV 12 5.4B%ry-a8n.8G%A 8.8% - 30.2% 24 Jeff Davis GA Miles Liberty GA 37 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 3. Low-Income EJ Population Figure 15 is a map of the Low-Income EJ Population located in District 2. More than half, 55.9% of tracts, have a low-income population above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows twenty four Class IV tracts in Burke (four tracts), Emanuel (five tracts), Greene (one tract), Hancock (two tracts), Jefferson (one tract), Jenkins (two tracts), Laurens (two tracts), McDuffie (one tract), Screven (two tracts), Treutlen (one tract), Warren (two tracts) and Washington (one tract) Counties. There are sixteen Class III tracts in the following counties: Baldwin (one tract), Burke (one tract), Emanuel (one tract), Greene (two tracts), Jefferson (two tracts), Johnson (two tracts), McDuffie (one tract), Putnam (one tract), Taliaferro (one tract), Treutlen (one tract), Warren (one tract), Washington (one tract) and Wilkinson (one tract). Additionally, there are fourteen Class II and seventeen Class I tracts within the district. 38 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 15: District 2 Low-Income EJ Population Jackson GA Madison GA Elbert GA WINNETT Barrow GA Walton GA CLARKE OCONEE Oglethorpe GA Wilkes GA Lincoln GA OCKDALE Newton GA Morgan GA Greene GA Taliaferro GA Columbia GA Y Jasper GA Butts GA Putnam GA McDuffie GA Warren GA Hancock GA Glascock GA Richmond GA GA Monroe GA Jones GA Baldwin GA Washington GA Jefferson GA Burke GA Crawford GA Bibb GA Wilkinson GA Twiggs GA Peach GA Johnson GA Jenkins GA Emanuel GA Screven GA acon GA A Houston GA Bleckley GA Laurens GA Treutlen GA Candler GA STIP Counties BuCNllooecnnhs-SGuATsIPTrCaocutnEftifeinsgh Dooly GA Crisp GA Pulaski GA Wilcox GA Dodge GA Montgomery GA Wheeler GA Toombs GA Telfair GA District 2 Poverty Evans GAClass I 15.5% - 18.0% Class II 18.0% - 21.1% Tattnall GA Class III 21.B1%ry-a2n5.G1A% Class IV 25.1% - 54.9% 0 12 24 Jeff Davis GA MilesLiberty GA 4. Elderly EJ Population Figure 16 is a map of the Elderly EJ Population located in District 2. 39 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 16: District 2 Elderly EJ Population Jackson GA Madison GA Elbert GA WINNETT Barrow GA Walton GA CLARKE OCONEE Oglethorpe GA Wilkes GA Lincoln GA OCKDALE Newton GA Morgan GA Greene GA Taliaferro GA Columbia GA Y Jasper GA Butts GA Putnam GA McDuffie GA Warren GA Hancock GA Glascock GA Richmond GA GA Monroe GA Jones GA Baldwin GA Washington GA Jefferson GA Burke GA Crawford GA Bibb GA Wilkinson GA Twiggs GA Peach GA Johnson GA Jenkins GA Emanuel GA Screven GA acon GA A Houston GA Bleckley GA Laurens GA Treutlen GA Candler GA STIP Counties BuCNllooecnnhs-SGuATsIPTrCaocutnEftifeinsgh District 2 Dooly GA Pulaski GA Dodge GA Montgomery GA Wheeler GA Toombs GA Elderly Evans GAClass I 11.8% - 13.0% Class II 13.0% - 14.3% Crisp GA Wilcox GA Telfair GA Tattnall GA Class III 14.B3%ry-a1n6.G2A% Class IV 16.2% - 28.5% 0 12 24 Jeff Davis GA MilesLiberty GA In District 2, 59.8% of tracts have an elderly population above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows fourteen Class IV tracts in Columbia, Dodge, Glascock, Johnson, Laurens, Putnam, Taliaferro, Warren, Wilkes, and Wilkinson Counties. Eighteen Class III tracts exist in Emanuel, Treutlen, Dodge, Johnson, Jefferson, Washington, Putnam, Green, Lincoln, Oglethorpe, Warren, and Newton. Additionally, twenty-four Class II and nineteen Class I EJ tracts were found in the district. 40 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation C. District 3 District 3 consists of 31 counties to the southwest of the Atlanta metro area. Seven counties in District 3 are under the purview of a metropolitan planning organization and therefore not included in the rural STIP study area, leaving twenty-four in this assessment. Figure 17: District 3 $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ Heard GA $ $ Douglas GA $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Cla$yton GA $ $ Rockda$le GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Fayette GA Henry GA $ $ $ $ $ Cowe$ ta GA $ $ $ SUN$NY SIDE $ $ $ $ $ EXPERIMENT Butt$s GA Spaldin$ g GA $ $ $ $ $ E$ AST GRIFFIN FLOVILLA $ LONE OAK $ $ $ ORC$HARD HILL $ P$$ike GA$ Trou$pLGAAGRANGEMeriw$ether GA $ WOO$DBURY $ $ Lamar GA $$ Mon$roe GA $ $ $$ $ $ $ STIP Counties $ $ Non-STIP Counties $ $ Census Tract $ District 3 $ 0 10 20 Miles $ $ $ Jones GA G$ RAY $ $ $ $ $ $ $ WARM SPRINGS$ Ups$on GA $ $ $ MANCHESTER $ $ $ $HAMILTON Harris GA $ WOODLAND $ Talbot GA $ $ Craw$ford GA $ $ Bibb GA $ $ $ $ $ Twiggs GA$ $ $ $Musco$gee GA $ GENE$ VA Taylor$ GAREYN$ OLDS Peach GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Ho$ uston GA $ $Chattahoochee GA Marion GA $ Macon GA $ $ BUENA VISTA OGLETHORPE $$ Schle$yEGLALAVILLE $ $ BYROMVILLE $ $ $ Dooly GA $ $ HAWKINSVILLE $ Pulaski GA $ $ $ $ $ Stewart GA $ PRESTON $ AMERICUS $ $ Webst$er GA $ Sumter GA PLAINS $ $ $ $ $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ 41 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 1. Minority EJ Population Figure 18 is a map of the Minority EJ Population located in District 3. Figure 18: District 3 Minority EJ Population Carroll GA Heard GA Troup GA Douglas GA Coweta GA Rockdale GA Clayton GA Fayette GA Henry GA Newton GA Spalding GA Butts GA Jasper GA STIP Counties Morgan GA Non-STIP Counties CensGurseeTnreacGtA District 3 Minority Class I 27.4% - 35.0% Class II 35.0% - 44.0% Class III 44.0% - 54.8% PutnamCGlAass IV 54.8% - 95.3% 0 9 1H8ancoc Miles Meriwether GA Pike GA Lamar GA Monroe GA Jones GA Baldwin GA Harris GA Upson GA Talbot GA Crawford GA Bibb GA Wilkinson GA Twiggs GA Muscogee GA Taylor GA Peach GA Houston GA L Bleckley GA Chattahoochee GA Marion GA Macon GA Schley GA Stewart GA Webster GA Sumter GA Quitman GA Dooly GA Pulaski GA Dodge GA Wilcox GA Crisp GA Te Randolph GA Terrell GA Lee GA Ben Hill GA The EJ population of significance for District 3 is the minority population, as 74.5% of all tracts in the district are above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows seventeen Class IV tracts in Macon (three tracts), Peach (three tracts), Stewart (two tracts), Sumter (two tracts), Spalding (two tracts), Talbot (two tracts), Dooly (one tract), Marion (one tract), Meriwether (one tract), Upson (one tract), and Troup (one tract) counties. Twenty Class 42 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation III tracts can be found across Troup (three tracts), Meriwether (two tracts), Sumter (two tracts), Dooly (two tracts), Taylor (two tracts), Twiggs (one tract), Macon (one tract), Monroe (one tract), Crawford (one tract), Stewart (one tract), Talbot (one tract), Upson (one tract), and Webster (two tracts) counties. Additionally, there are seventeen Class II tracts and fourteen Class I tracts in the District. 2. Hispanic EJ Population Figure 19 is a map of the Hispanic EJ Population located in District 3. Figure 19: District 3 Hispanic EJ Population Carroll GA Heard GA Douglas GA Coweta GA Rockdale GA Clayton GA Fayette GA Henry GA Newton GA Spalding GA Butts GA Jasper GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract:1 Morgan GA DistrictG3reene GA Hispanic Class I 3.0% - 3.9% Class II 3.9% - 5.4% Class III 5.4% - 8.8% PutnaCmlaGsAs IV8.8% - 30.2% 0 9 18 Hanc Miles Troup GA Meriwether GA Pike GA Lamar GA Monroe GA Jones GA Baldwin GA Harris GA Upson GA Talbot GA Crawford GA Bibb GA Wilkinson GA Twiggs GA Muscogee GA Chattahoochee GA Marion GA Taylor GA Peach GA Houston GA Macon GA Bleckley GA Schley GA Dooly GA Pulaski GA Dodge GA Stewart GA Webster GA Sumter GA Quitman GA Crisp GA Wilcox GA Randolph GA Terrell GA Lee GA Ben Hill GA 43 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation In District 3, 16.0% of tracts have a Hispanic population above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows four Class IV tracts in the towns of Fort Valley (Peach) and Buena Vista (Marion), and two Class III tracts, one each, located in Dooly and Peach counties. There are four Class II tracts found in Dooly, Macon, Taylor, and Sumter Counties. Six Class I tracts exist across five counties. 3. Low-Income EJ Population Figure 20 is a map of the Low-Income EJ Population located in District 3. Low-income populations above the EJ threshold are found in 52.1% of the District census tracts. The analysis shows ten Class IV tracts: three in Fort Valley (Peach County), and one each in the towns of Oglethorpe (Macon), Butler (Taylor), Experiment (Spalding), Americus (Sumter), Woodland (Talbot), Buena Vista (Marion), and LaGrange (Troup) each. There are fifteen Class III tracts found in Macon (two tracts), Dooly (one tract), Sumter (three tracts), Stewart (one tract), Spalding (one tract), Talbot (two tracts), Troup (two tracts), Meriwether (one tract), Taylor (one tract), and Schley (one tract) counties. There are eighteen Class II tracts and ten Class I tracts. 44 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 20: District 3 Low-Income EJ Population Carroll GA Heard GA Douglas GA Coweta GA Rockdale GA Clayton GA Fayette GA Henry GA Newton GA Spalding GA Butts GA Jasper GA STIP Counties Morgan GA Non-STIP Counties CensusGTrreaecnet GA District 3 Poverty Class I 15.5% - 18.0% Class II 18.0% - 21.1% Class III 21.1% - 25.1% PutnamCGlaAss IV 25.1% - 54.9% 0 8 16 Hanc Miles Troup GA Meriwether GA Pike GA Lamar GA Monroe GA Jones GA Baldwin GA Harris GA Upson GA Talbot GA Crawford GA Bibb GA Wilkinson GA Twiggs GA Muscogee GA Taylor GA Chattahoochee GA Marion GA Schley GA Macon GA Stewart GA Webster GA Quitman GA Sumter GA Peach GA Houston GA Bleckley GA Dooly GA Pulaski GA Dodge GA Crisp GA Wilcox GA Randolph GA Terrell GA Lee GA Ben Hill GA 45 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 4. Elderly EJ Population Figure 21 is a map of the Elderly EJ Population located in District 3. Elderly populations above the EJ threshold are found in 46.3% of tracts. The analysis shows eleven Class IV tracts. These are located in Macon (one tract), Pulaski (one tract), Sumter (one tract), Stewart (two tracts), Peach (one tract), Troup (one tract), Harris (one tract), Spalding (two tracts) and Upson (one tract) counties. There are fifteen Class III tracts across Dooly (one tract), Meriwether (four tracts), Macon (one tract), Talbot (two tracts), Taylor (one tract), Upson (one tract), Lamar (one tract), Sumter (one tract), Webster (one tract), Stewart (one tract) and Troup (one tract) counties. Additionally, there are fourteen Class II tracts and ten Class I tracts. 46 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 21: District 3 Elderly EJ Population Carroll GA Heard GA Douglas GA Coweta GA Rockdale GA Clayton GA Fayette GA Henry GA Newton GA Spalding GA Butts GA Jasper GA STIP Counties Morgan GA Non-STIP Counties CensusGTrreaecnet GA District 3 Elderly Class I 11.8% - 13.0% Class II 13.0% - 14.3% Class III 14.3% - 16.2% PutnamCGlaAss IV 16.2% - 28.5% 0 8 16 Hanc Miles Troup GA Meriwether GA Pike GA Lamar GA Monroe GA Jones GA Baldwin GA Harris GA Upson GA Talbot GA Crawford GA Bibb GA Wilkinson GA Twiggs GA Muscogee GA Taylor GA Chattahoochee GA Marion GA Schley GA Macon GA Stewart GA Webster GA Quitman GA Sumter GA Peach GA Houston GA Bleckley GA Dooly GA Pulaski GA Dodge GA Crisp GA Wilcox GA Randolph GA Terrell GA Lee GA Ben Hill GA 47 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation D. District 4 District 4 consists of 32 counties in the southwestern corner of Georgia. Two counties in District 4 are under the purview of a metropolitan planning organization and therefore not included in the rural STIP study area, leaving 30 counties in this assessment. Figure 22: District 4 48 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 1. Minority EJ Population Figure 23 is a map of the Minority EJ Population located in District 4. Figure 23: District 4 Minority EJ Population 27.4% - 35.0% 35.0% - 44.0% 44.0% - 54.8% 54.8% - 95.3% Minority populations above the EJ threshold are found in 59.5% of all District 4 tracts. The analysis shows that there are twenty-five Class IV tracts. They are located in Quitman (one tract), Randolph (one tract), Clay (one tract), Crisp (one tract), Tift (two tracts), Colquitt (one tract), Brooks (one tract), Grady (one tract), Mitchell (one tract), Terrell (two tracts), Turner (one tract), Decatur (two tracts), Thomas (four tracts), Baker (one tract), Calhoun (two tracts), and Early (three tracts) counties. There are nineteen Class III tracts in the counties of Wilcox (one tract), Coffee (one tract), Clinch (one tract), Ben Hill (one tract), Brooks (one tract), Cook (one tract), Crisp (one tract), Lee (one tract), 49 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Randolph (one tract), Clay (one tract), Miller (one tract), Baker (one tract), Mitchell (two tracts), Colquitt (one tract), Seminole (one tract), Decatur (one tract), Thomas (one tract), and Worth (one tract). Additionally, there are sixteen Class II tracts and eighteen Class I tracts in District 4. 2. Hispanic EJ Population Figure 24 is a map of the Hispanic EJ Population located in District 4. Figure 24: District 4 Hispanic EJ Population 3.0% - 3.9% 3.9% - 5.4% 5.4% - 8.8% 8.8% - 30.2% Hispanic populations above the EJ threshold are found in 38.8% of tracts. The analysis shows sixteen Class IV tracts: three in Tifton (Tift County), one in Quitman (Brooks), one in Douglas (Coffee), six in Moultrie (Colquitt), three in Pearson (Atkinson), and two in 50 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Echols County. There are thirteen Class III tracts located in the counties of Crisp (one tract), Coffee (three tracts), Tift (two tracts), Thomas (one tract), Seminole (one tract), Decatur (two tracts), Grady (two tracts), and Ben Hill (one tract). Additionally, there are fourteen Class II tracts and six Class I tracts in the district. 3. Low-Income EJ Population Figure 25 is a map of the Low-Income EJ Population located in District 4. Figure 25: District 4 Low-Income EJ Population 15.5% - 18.0% 18.0% - 21.1% 21.1% - 25.1% 25.1% - 54.9% Low-income EJ populations are a major category for District 4, as 71.8% of all tracts in the district have populations above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows twenty nine Class IV tracts. They are located in Clay (one tract), Brooks (two tracts), Grady (two tracts), 51 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Decatur (two tracts), Echols (two tracts), Mitchell (two tracts), Seminole (one tract), Early (two tracts), Calhoun (one tract), Randolph (two tracts), Terrell (two tracts), Wilcox (one tract), Ben Hill (one tract), Turner (one tract), Crisp (two tracts), Colquitt (one tract), Thomas (one tract), Baker (one tract), and Tift (two tracts) counties. There are twentyseven Class III tracts located in Atkinson (three tracts), Ben Hill (two tracts), Berrien (one tract), Brooks (one tract), Clinch (one tract), Coffee (one tract), Colquitt (one tract), Cook (two tracts), Crisp (one tract), Decatur (one tract), Early (two tracts), Lanier (one tract), Miller (one tract), Mitchell (one tract), Quitman (one tract), Seminole (one tract), Terrell (one tract), Thomas (three tracts), Tift (one tract), and Worth (one tract) counties. Additionally, there are twenty-four Class II tracts and thirteen Class I tracts. 4. Elderly EJ Population Figure 26 is a map of the Elderly EJ Population located in District 4. Elderly populations above the EJ threshold in District 4 were found in 61.1% of all tracts. The analysis shows twenty-six Class IV tracts in the counties of Clay (two tracts), Crisp (one tract), Randolph (one tract), Quitman (two tracts), Tift (two tracts), Ben Hill (one tract), Berrien (one tract), Brooks (three tracts), Mitchell (one tract), Early (two tracts), Miller (two tracts), Seminole (two tracts), Decatur (two tracts), Coffee (one tract), Thomas (two tracts), and Wilcox (one tract). There are fifteen Class III tracts in the counties of Wilcox (one tract), Cook (two tracts), Irwin (one tract), Terrell (two tracts), Calhoun (one tract), Grady (one tract), Thomas (one tract), Colquitt (four tracts), Miller (one tract), and Early (one tract). Additionally, there are twenty Class II tracts and nineteen Class I tracts. 52 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 26: District 4 Elderly EJ Population 11.8% - 13.0% 13.0% - 14.3% 14.3% - 16.2% 16.2% - 28.5% . 53 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation E. District 5 District 5 consists of 24 counties in the southeastern portion of Georgia, including all coastal counties. Three counties in District 5 are under the purview of a metropolitan planning organization and therefore not included in the rural STIP study area, leaving 21 in this assessment. Figure 27: District 5 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Ema$nuel GA $ PORTAL $ $ $ $ $ $ $ y GA $ Laurens GA $ $ $ Treutlen GA $ $ $ STATESBORO $ $ Candle$r GA $ Bulloch GA$ $ $ REGISTER Effingham $ GA $ GUYTON $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Dodge GA $ $ $ GLENWOOD $ VIDALIA $ $ $ Mon$tg$omery GA $ $ Wheeler GA Toombs GA $ $ $ $ALSTON $ Telfair GA $ $ COBBTOWN COLLINS $ $ $ Ev$a$ns G$A REIDSVILLE $ Tattnall GA $ $ RINCON $ PEMBROKE $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Bryan GA $ $ Chatham GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Ben Hill GA $ HAZLEHURST $ JACKSONVILLE $ $ Jeff Davis GA $ DENTON Ap$ pling GA $ ODUM $ $ Long GA $ $ $ Li$berty GA $ $ $ $ win $GA $ $ Coffee GA $ Bacon GA $ $ ALMA $JESUP Wayne GA $ McIntosh GA $ Berrien GA $ $ Atkinso$n GA $OFFERMAN $ Pierce GA $ $$ $ WAYCROSS Brantl$ey GA $ HOBOKEN $ Glynn GA $ $ $ $ $ Lani$er GA $ wn$des GA $ $ $ Clinch GA Ware GA $ Echols GA $ $ $ $ $ FOLKSTON $ Charlton GA WOODBINE $ Camden GA KINGSLAND $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 5 0 9 18 Miles $ & $ $ $ 54 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 1. Minority EJ Population Figure 28 is a map of the Minority EJ Population located in District 5. Figure 28: District 5 Minority EJ Population y GA Laurens GA Emanuel GA Treutlen GA Candler GA Bulloch GA Effingham GA Dodge GA Montgomery GA Wheeler GA Toombs GA Evans GA Tattnall GA Telfair GA Ben Hill GA Jeff Davis GA Appling GA Long GA Bryan GA Liberty GA Chatham GA win GA Coffee GA Berrien GA Atkinson GA Bacon GA Wayne GA Pierce GA Brantley GA McIntosh GA Glynn GA Lanier GA wndes GA Clinch GA Echols GA Ware GA Charlton GA Camden GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 5 Minority Class I 27.4% - 35.0% Class II 35.0% - 44.0% Class III 44.0% - 54.8% Class IV 54.8% - 95.3% 0 9 18 Miles Minority populations above the EJ threshold occur in 46.1% of District 5. However, the analysis shows that there are relatively few Class III and IV populations. The three Class IV tracts are located in Bulloch and Ware Counties in the cities of Statesboro and Waycross, respectively. Seven Class III tracts exist in Appling (one tract), Candler (one tract), Evans (one tract), McIntosh (one tract), Tattnall (one tract), Telfair (one tract), 55 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation and Wayne (one tract) counties. Additionally, twelve Class II tracts and nineteen Class I tracts can be found in the district. 2. Hispanic EJ Population Figure 29 is a map of the Hispanic EJ Population located in District 5. Figure 29: District 5 Hispanic EJ Population y GA Laurens GA Emanuel GA Treutlen GA Candler GA Bulloch GA Effingham GA Dodge GA Montgomery GA Wheeler GA Toombs GA Evans GA Tattnall GA Telfair GA Ben Hill GA Jeff Davis GA Appling GA Long GA Bryan GA Liberty GA Chatham GA win GA Coffee GA Berrien GA Atkinson GA Bacon GA Wayne GA Pierce GA Brantley GA McIntosh GA Glynn GA Lanier GA wndes GA Clinch GA Echols GA Ware GA Charlton GA Camden GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 5 Hispanic Class I 3.0% - 3.9% Class II 3.9% - 5.4% Class III 5.4% - 8.8% Class IV 8.8% - 30.2% 0 9 18 Miles Hispanic populations above the EJ threshold were found in 38.2% of all District 5. The analysis shows nine Class IV tracts with one each in the towns of St. Mary (Camden 56 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation County), Pulaski (Candler), Patterson (Pierce) and Long County. Two tracts are located in the town of Reidsville (Tattnall), and three tracts are located in Toombs County. There are ten Class III tracts located in Appling (one tract), Candler (one tract), Evans (two tracts), Jeff Daniels (one tract), Montgomery (one tract), Tattnall (one tract), Wayne (two tracts), and Wheeler (one tract) counties. Additionally, there are seven Class II tracts and nine Class I tracts in the district. 3. Low-Income EJ Population Figure 30 is a map of the Low-Income EJ Population located in District 5. Low-income EJ populations are the most significant category in District 5, as the analysis shows that 69.7% of all district tracts have low-income populations above the EJ threshold. Thirteen Class IV tracts can be found in the district: one each in the towns of Alma (Bacon County), Metter (Candler), Hazlehurst (Jeff Davis), and Alamo (Wheeler); and two each in the towns of Statesboro (Bulloch), Claxton (Evans), and Lyons (Toombs). There are three Class IV census tracts in the town of Waycross (Ware). There are ten Class III tracts in Appling (one tract), Bulloch (two tracts), Long (one tract), Pierce (one tract), Tattnall (two tracts), Toombs (two tracts), and Ware (one tract) counties. Additionally, nineteen Class II tracts and twenty Class I tracts are in the District. 57 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 30: District 5 Low-Income EJ Population y GA Laurens GA Emanuel GA Treutlen GA Candler GA Bulloch GA Effingham GA Dodge GA Montgomery GA Wheeler GA Toombs GA Evans GA Tattnall GA Telfair GA Ben Hill GA Jeff Davis GA Appling GA Long GA Bryan GA Liberty GA Chatham GA win GA Coffee GA Berrien GA Atkinson GA Bacon GA Wayne GA Pierce GA Brantley GA McIntosh GA Glynn GA Lanier GA wndes GA Clinch GA Echols GA Ware GA Charlton GA Camden GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 5 Poverty Class I 15.5% - 18.0% Class II 18.0% - 21.1% Class III 21.1% - 25.1% Class IV 25.1% - 54.9% 0 9 18 Miles 4. Elderly EJ Population Figure 31 is a map of the Elderly EJ Population located in District 5. Elderly populations above the EJ threshold were identified in 40.4% of tracts. The analysis shows seven Class IV tracts; one each in Tattnall, Telfair, and Toombs Counties, and four tracts in Ware County. There are eleven Class III tracts in the counties of Appling (one tract), Bulloch (two tracts), Candler (two tracts), Evans (one tract), Pierce (one tract), Telfair (two 58 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation tracts), Toombs (one tract), and Wheeler (one tract). Additionally, there are eleven Class II tracts and eight Class I tracts in the district. Figure 31: District 5 Elderly EJ Population y GA Laurens GA Emanuel GA Treutlen GA Candler GA Bulloch GA Effingham GA Dodge GA Montgomery GA Wheeler GA Toombs GA Evans GA Tattnall GA Telfair GA Ben Hill GA Jeff Davis GA Appling GA Long GA Bryan GA Liberty GA Chatham GA win GA Coffee GA Berrien GA Atkinson GA Bacon GA Wayne GA Pierce GA Brantley GA McIntosh GA Glynn GA Lanier GA wndes GA Clinch GA Echols GA Ware GA Charlton GA Camden GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 5 Elderly Class I 11.8% - 13.0% Class II 13.0% - 14.3% Class III 14.3% - 16.2% Class IV 16.2% - 28.5% 0 9 18 Miles 59 F. District 6 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation District 6 is composed of seventeen counties located in the northwest corner of Georgia. Five counties in District 6 are under the purview of a metropolitan planning organization and therefore not included in the rural STIP study area, leaving twelve in this assessment. Figure 32: District 6 $ $ $ $ $ TRENTON $ Dade GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Catoosa$ GA $ $ $ Whitfield GA $ Walker GA LA FAYETTE $ ETON $ Murray GA $ CHATSWORTH $ $ $ $ MORGANTON Fann$in GA $ ELLIJAY Gil$m$ er GA $ $ Union GA $ Tow Whit $ $ $ $ $ $ Chatto$oga GA $ LYERLY $ $ Lumpkin GA $ $Gordon GA RANGER $ $ TALKING ROCK Pickens G$ A $ $ Dawson GA $ PLAINVILLE $ $ ADAIRSVILLE $ $ $ $ Hall GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Floyd G$ A $ $ $ Polk GA Haralson$ GA $ $ $ $ WHITE KINGSTON $ Bartow GA CARTERSVILLE $ Chero$kee GA $ Forsyth GA $ $ $ $ EUHA$ RLEE $ ARAGON $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Paulding$ GA Cobb G$A $ TEMPLE $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Douglas GA $ $ $ Fulton GA $ $ $ $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Gwinnett$ GA $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $De$ Kalb GA $ $ $$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Ba $ $ $ $ Wal $ $ $ STRIoPckCdoaul$enGtiAes $ $ $ $ Non-STIP Counties$ $ CARROLLTON $ Census Tract $ $ $ Carro$ll GA $ $ $ $ $ District 6 Clayton GA 0 7 $ $ $ Newton GA 14 $ ROOPVILLE $ $ $ $ $ $ Fayette GA $ $ $ $ $ Miles Henry GA $ $ 60 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 1. Minority EJ Population Figure 33 is a map of the Minority EJ Population located in District 6. Figure 33: District 6 Minority EJ Population Dade GA Catoosa GA Walker GA Whitfield GA Murray GA Chattooga GA Gordon GA Fannin GA Union GA Tow Gilmer GA Pickens GA Lumpkin GA Whit Dawson GA Floyd GA Bartow GA Cherokee GA Forsyth GA Hall GA Polk GA Haralson GA Carroll GA Paulding GA Douglas GA Cobb GA Ba Gwinnett GA Fulton GA DeKalb GA Clayton GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 6 Wal Minority Class I 27.4% - 35.0% Class II 35.0% - 44.0% RCoclakdsasleIIIGA44.0% - 54.8% Class IV 54.8% - 95.3% 0 7 Ne1w4ton GA Miles Fayette GA Henry GA Minority EJ populations are not prevalent in District 6, as only 7.0% of tracts have minority populations above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows one Class IV tract and one Class II in Carrollton (Carroll County). There are also, four Class I tracts in the counties of Carroll, Chattooga, Gordon, and Polk. 61 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation 2. Hispanic EJ Population Figure 34 is a map of the Hispanic EJ Population located in District 6. Figure 34: District 6 Hispanic EJ Population Dade GA Catoosa GA Walker GA Whitfield GA Murray GA Chattooga GA Gordon GA Fannin GA Union GA Tow Gilmer GA Pickens GA Lumpkin GA Whit Dawson GA Floyd GA Bartow GA Cherokee GA Forsyth GA Hall GA Polk GA Haralson GA Carroll GA Paulding GA Douglas GA Cobb GA Ba Gwinnett GA Fulton GA DeKalb GA Clayton GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 6 Wal Hispanic Class I 3.0% - 3.9% Class II 3.9% - 5.4% RCoclakdsasleIIIGA 5.4% - 8.8% Class IV 8.8% - 30.2% 0 7 Ne1w4ton GA Miles Fayette GA Henry GA Hispanic populations above the EJ threshold are in 34.1% of tracts in District 6. The analysis shows nine Class IV tracts; one each in the towns of Carterville (Bartow County), Carrollton (Carroll), and Ellijay (Gilmer); two in Cedartown (Polk); and four in Calhoun (Gordon). Also, there are ten Class III tracts across Bartow (one tract), Carroll (one 62 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation tract), Chattooga (one tract), Gilmer (one tract), Murray (four tracts), and Polk (two tracts) counties. Additionally, four Class II tracts and six Class I tracts are located in the district. 3. Low-Income EJ Population Figure 35 is a map of the Low-Income EJ Population located in District 6. Figure 35: District 6 Low-Income EJ Population Dade GA Catoosa GA Walker GA Whitfield GA Murray GA Chattooga GA Gordon GA Fannin GA Union GA Tow Gilmer GA Pickens GA Lumpkin GA Whit Dawson GA Floyd GA Bartow GA Cherokee GA Forsyth GA Hall GA Polk GA Haralson GA Carroll GA Paulding GA Douglas GA Cobb GA Ba Gwinnett GA Fulton GA DeKalb GA Clayton GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 6 Wal Poverty Class I 15.5% - 18.0% Class II 18.0% - 21.1% RCoclakdsasleIIIGA 21.1% - 25.1% Class IV 25.1% - 54.9% 0 7 Ne1w4ton GA Miles Fayette GA Henry GA 63 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation A modest number of low-income EJ populations are scattered across District 6, as only 16.2% of tracts have a low-income population above the EJ threshold. The analysis shows one Class IV tract in the Town of Carrollton (Carroll County) and no Class III tracts. Additionally, there are three Class II tracts; two in Polk two in Walker and one in Chattooga counties. There are nine Class I tracts in eight counties. 4. Elderly EJ Population Figure 36 is a map of the Elderly EJ Population located in District 6. Figure 36: District 6 Elderly EJ Population Dade GA Catoosa GA Walker GA Whitfield GA Murray GA Chattooga GA Gordon GA Fannin GA Union GA Tow Gilmer GA Pickens GA Lumpkin GA Whit Dawson GA Floyd GA Bartow GA Cherokee GA Forsyth GA Hall GA Polk GA Haralson GA Carroll GA Paulding GA Douglas GA Cobb GA Ba Gwinnett GA Fulton GA DeKalb GA Clayton GA STIP Counties Non-STIP Counties Census Tract District 6 Wal Elderly Class I 11.8% - 13.0% Class II 13.0% - 14.3% RCoclakdsasleIIIGA14.3% - 16.2% Class IV 16.2% - 28.5% 0 7 Ne1w4ton GA Miles Fayette GA Henry GA 64 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Elderly EJ populations are the most prevalent EJ population in District 6, as 51.6% of all tracts in the district have populations above the EJ threshold. This is likely due to the large retirement community in the district. The analysis shows eight Class IV tracts. They are located in Bartow (one tract), Fannin (three tracts), Pickens (one tract) and Walker (three tracts) counties. There are thirteen Class III tracts across Carroll (one tract), Chattooga (three tracts), Fannin (two tracts), Gilmer (two tracts), Gordon (one tract), Pickens (one tract), and Polk (three tracts) counties. Additionally, nine Class II tracts can be found in six counties, and eighteen Class I tracts can be found across nine counties. 65 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation VII. Focus and Findings Environmental justice populations were identified across the rural STIP area. Furthermore, a summary of EJ populations based on census tract data was provided for each district. Figure 37 provides a summary of the percent of tracts with populations above the EJ threshold for each characteristic (elderly, low-income, Hispanic and minority), and gives a visual comparison of the EJ populations in each district. As can be seen in Figure 37, Districts 1 and 4 have the largest percentage of tracts above the elderly EJ threshold; Districts 4 and 5 have the largest percentage of tracts above the low-income EJ and Hispanic EJ thresholds, and Districts 2 and 3 have the largest percentage of tracts above the minority EJ threshold. Maps displaying areas of focus for environmental justice outreach have also been created. See Figures 38-41. These areas are defined as census tracts in the STIP study area that have more than one overlapping environmental justice population. For example, the Minority & Low-Income map on Figure 37 shows areas where both a minority EJ population and a low-income EJ population are present. These areas are particularly sensitive due to the confluence of more than one EJ indicator. 66 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 37: EJ Population Summary District 6 District 5 District 4 District 3 District 2 District 1 0% El derl y Low-i ncome Hi s pa ni c Mi nori ty 20% 40% 60% 80% 67 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 38: Overlapping Minority and Low-Income EJ Populations 68 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 39: Overlapping Hispanic and Low-Income EJ Populations Prepared for: By: 69 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 40: Overlapping Elderly and Low-Income EJ Populations 70 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation Figure 41: Overlapping Minority and Hispanic EJ Populations 71 Environmental Justice Outreach Report, 2012 2015 STIP Georgia Department of Transportation VIII. Sources of Information Reports / Studies "Community Impact Assessment: A Quick Reference for Transportation" (FHWA, 9/96) "Community Impact Mitigation Case Studies" (FHWA, 5/98) "Environmental Justice Identification and Proposed Outreach Report 2007 2009 STIP" (GDOT, 2006) "Environmental Policy Statement" (FHWA, 1994) "EPA Environmental Justice Strategy: Executive Order 12898" (EPA, 1995) "People of Color Environmental Groups" (EJRC, 2000) "Public Involvement Techniques for Transportation Decision-Making" (FHWA/FTA, 9/96) "Rebuilding Trust Through Community Engagement Report" (Georgia Stand-Up, 2008) Internet Sites 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, Clark Atlanta University Environmental Justice Resource Center, www.ejrc.cau.edu Federal Highway Administration, www.fhwa.dot.gov Federal Transit Administration, www.fta.dot.gov Georgia Department of Transportation, www.dot.state.ga.us Surface Transportation Policy Project, www.transact.org United States Department of Transportation, www.dot.gov 72