Environmental Justice Tool Guide

Environmental Justice Tool Guide This document is intended to accompany the Environmental Justice section of MnDOT s Highway Project Development Process. This document provides additional guidance to steps 1 and 2-a of the HPDP EJ section. The document describes how to use the Environmental Protection Agency s EJSCREEN tool and the U.S. Census Bureau s American Fact Finder to review demographics within or near the project area for low income and/or minority populations. EJSCREEN Tool- EJSCREEN is a web based mapping tool to assess environmental and demographic information, and to compare selected locations to the rest of the state, EPA region, or the nation. EJSCREEN highlights places for further review for the potential for EJ concerns, but should not be used to label areas as EJ Communities. Baseline screening in EJSCREEN should be supplemented with local information and experience. EJSCREEN assists in the process of identifying potential EJ populations by depicting indicators typical of EJ populations. The EJSCREEN Map is located here: https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/ Additional EJSCREEN Guidance can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen American Fact Finder- Detailed race, ethnicity, and poverty data can be obtained through the US Census Bureau s American Fact Finder website. https://factfinder.census.gov Step 1: Identify the Preliminary Environmental Justice (EJ) Study Area The first step is to identify the preliminary area of analysis. A quarter- mile (0.25) from the project limits is typically used as a starting point for analysis, but could vary depending on the project. The buffer area can change as new project information is learned. Set Location Using EJ Screen 1. Navigate to https://ejscreen.epa.gov/mapper/ 2. Search for the location of the project area 3. Click on Generate Reports Click Select Location Choose a draw a site tool 4. Click on your site set the buffer to 0.25 miles Click add to map 3. 2. 4. * Note: This box can not be moved. 1

Step 2: Are there readily-identifiable low income and/or minority populations in the EJ study area? Step 2-A: Compile demographic data I. Identify Indicators of Minority Populations The next step is to identify minority populations within the buffer area, and to compare the results to county data. For EJ analysis data from the smallest unit of government should be used for comparison to data from the project area. County level data is typically used for linear transportation projects. City level data can be used for spot improvements such as bridge or intersection improvement projects. Minority is defined as including Black or African American, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian/Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Minority Population is defined as any readily identifiable groups of minority persons who live in geographic proximity, and if circumstances warrant, geographically dispersed/transient persons (such as migrant workers or Native Americans) who will be similarly affected by a proposed DOT program, policy or activity. Minority Community is generally defined as one where the minority population is either 10 percentage points higher than the county average; or greater than 50 percent of the total geographic unit; or determined based on input from local officials or stakeholders 1. Assessing Indicators of Minority Populations Using EJ Screen for the Project Area 1. Click on add maps EJSCREEN maps 2. Click on Compare to State Click on Demographic Indicators in the category box Click on Demographic Index in the variable box Click on Add to Map 3. Click on the census tracts within the buffer area to display specific demographic percentages and percentiles. EJSCREEN displays information on the map using percentiles. If the results indicate that an area is 53% minority and is at the 92th national percentile, this means that 53% of the census tract s population is minority, and that is an equal or higher minority than where 92% of the State population lives. The Demographic Index is based on the average of two demographic indicators; Percent Low-Income and Percent Minority. It is important to note that this map compares to data from the entire census tract to the entire state of Minnesota. The map gives a quick snapshot of potential EJ populations near the project area, however more analysis is needed to filter the results specific to the 1/4 mile buffer, and to make county level comparisons. 2. 1. 3. 1 Webinar Series on Environmental Justice: Guidance for Conducting Community Impact Assessments, December 6, 2012, FHWA Office of Human Environment. 2

The EJSCREEN tool includes a reporting functions to provide detailed reports of Census data. The US Census American Community Survey Summary Report (ACS) provides detailed demographic data specific to the 1/4 buffer of the project area. 4. Click on the buffer area 5. Click on the link to obtain the ACS Report for the project area buffer. 4. 5. Assessing Indicators of Minority Populations for Detour Routes When conducting EJ analysis it is important to also consider the people who will be impacted by detour routes. Additionally, consider the impacts on non-motorized or transit operations, closures of bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure, and transit routes with major re-routes. 6. Click on Generate Reports Click Select Location Choose a draw a site tool Choose the path tool 7. Trace the detour route using the path tool 8. Set the buffer to 0.25 mile Click Add to Map 9. Click on the link to obtain the ACS Report for the detour route buffer. 6. 8. 7. 9. 3

Obtaining County or City Level Data for Comparison When conducting EJ analysis it is ideal to use the smallest unit of geography for comparison. For linear transportation projects it is best to use county level data; for spot improvements, like a bridge replacement or intersection improvements, it is best to use city level data. A linear project including both rural and non-rural areas should be broken into segments/nodes if city-level information is readily available in EJSCREEN for a given area. 10. County/City data needs to be added to the map. Click Generate Reports Click Report on Known Geography 11. Choose County/City in the drop down box. 12. Click on the map and the name of county/city will appear in the gray box and a blue mask will appear over the map. A maximum of 5 counties/cities can be added. 13. Click submit and the blue mask will turn green. 14. Click anywhere on the map outside of the buffer area. Choose the ACS Report link to obtain the county/city level data. 11. 13. 12. 14. 10. The EJSCREEN ACS Summary Reports provide US Census American Community Survey data for populations within the selected buffer area, and for the county/city selected for comparison. The tables found in the EJSCREEN ACS Summary Report provides the following demographic information of populations within the buffer area 1 : Percent Minority Population by Race Total Hispanic Population Linguistically Isolated Households This will provide a side by side comparison of minority population data for the buffer area and the county/city. The data should be included in the environmental justice data tables, and should be referenced in the environmental justice section of the environmental document. This information can provide direction for continued EJ analysis, and may provide helpful information while crafting an inclusive public engagement plan. The ACS Summary Reports and map should be attached in an appendix of the environmental document. See Appendix C- Example EJSCREEN ACS Summary Report 1 How to Interpret a Standard Report in EJSCREEN https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen/how-interpret-standard-report-ejscreen 4

II. Identify Indicators of Low income Populations U.S. DOT and FHWA define a low income individual as a person who median household income is at or below the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines. The guidelines are updated annually and available on-line at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/ These data are not readily available from census data because the HHS poverty guidelines vary by household size and the census does not report income by household size. However, because the HHS guidelines are based on poverty level, the census reporting of persons with incomes below the poverty level is the best data available as a proxy for the FHWA definition. EJSCREEN defines the Percent Low-Income as: The percent of a block group s population in households where the household income is less than or equal to twice the federal poverty level. This is a conservative and acceptable metric for analysis. Step 1. Assessing Indicators of Low Income Populations Using EJ Screen 1. Click on add maps Choose EJSCREEN Maps 2. Click on demographic indicators Click on low income populations 3. Individual percentiles and percent low-income data points can be obtained by clicking on each census tract. EJSCREEN displays low income population map data in national percentiles. For example, if a census tract is in the 80-90 percentile, then the low income population of the selected census tract is equal or higher than 80 percent of the U.S. population. A census tract that falls within higher percentiles indicate larger concentrations of low income populations. 4. Add the individual data points for each census tract that falls within the buffer area of both the project area and detour routes to the data tables in the environmental document. These data points can be compared to county/ city level data obtained in the next section using the U.S. Census American Fact Finder. 1. 2. 3. 5

Step 2. Assessing Indicators Low Income Populations Using American Fact Finder American Fact Finder is used to obtain county/city level data for comparison to the project area data. The identification numbers (ID) of the census tracts within the project area buffer are needed to obtain data using American Fact Finder. The U.S. Census Bureau defines these units as: Census Tracts are small, relatively permanent statistical subdivisions of a county or equivalent entity that are updated by local participants prior to each decennial census. Census tracts generally have a population size between 1,200 and 8,000 people, with an optimum size of 4,000 people Block Groups (BGs) are statistical divisions of census tracts, are generally defined to contain between 600 and 3,000 people Tribal census tracts and tribal BGs are separate and unique geographic areas defined within federally recognized American Indian reservations and can cross state and county boundaries. Finding the Census Tract and Block Group ID Numbers The Block Group ID numbers can be found by clicking on each Census Tract polygon that falls within the buffer area. The Block Group ID is listed in the pop-up screen. Example Block Group ID : 270833605001-27(State ID) 083 (FIPS County number) 3605(Census Tract) 001 (Block Group). The Census Tract ID and Block Group IDs will be needed for additional analysis using American Fact Finder. US Census Bureau Tiger Files: Alternatively, GIS users can download and integrate census tract and block group boundary data into existing maps. https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/tiger.html 6

Assessing Low Income Populations Using American Fact Finder 1. Navigate to factfinder.census.gov On the main page click on advanced search. 2. Choose Geographies Select county(ies)/city(ies) Click Add To Your Selection 3. Stay in the Geographies tab and choose census tracts under the Select a geographic type tab Choose the applicable census tract numbers using the IDs from the previous steps Click Add To Your Selection 4. Choose Topics People Poverty Poverty Select DP03- Selected Economic Characteristics 1. 2. 3. 4. 7

5. Choose Download Click OK Click Download once the file is complete. 6. There will be four files in the folder once you ve saved/opened the download. Choose the file name that contains _with_ann (with annotation). 7. Edit the table to only include the census tracts that apply to the project area; also edit to only include the codes listed in Table 1 in Appendix A. The codes are listed in the top row of the spreadsheet. Example: HC01_VC03 8. Add the county/city data for percent of people below poverty level to the environmental justice data tables for a side by side comparison to the project area. 5. 6. Next Steps: See additional Step 2-b to 2-e to complete Step 2 of the EJ assessment. Reference steps 3-7 of the HPDP EJ guidance for the remainder of the EJ analysis and documentation. 8

Appendix A Table 1. Census Tables and Variable Codes Race and Origin Table B02001 Race Codes HD02_VD01 HD01_VD02 HD02_VD02 HD01_VD03 HD02_VD03 HD01_VD04 HD02_VD04 HD01_VD05 HD02_VD05 HD01_VD06 HD02_VD06 HD01_VD07 Hispanic and Latino Estimate; Total: Margin of Error; Total: Estimate; Total: - White alone Margin of Error; Total: - White alone Estimate; Total: - Black or African American alone Margin of Error; Total: - Black or African American alone Estimate; Total: - American Indian and Alaska Native alone Margin of Error; Total: - American Indian and Alaska Native alone Estimate; Total: - Asian alone Margin of Error; Total: - Asian alone Table B03002 Hispanic or Latino By Race Codes Low Income HD01_VD01 HD02_VD01 HD01_VD12 HD02_VD12 Estimate; Total: - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone Margin of Error; Total: - Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone Estimate; Total: Margin of Error; Total: Estimate; Hispanic or Latino: Margin of Error; Hispanic or Latino: Table DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics Codes HC01_VC85 HC02_VC85 HC03_VC85 HC04_VC85 HC01_VC171 HC02_VC171 Estimate; INCOME AND BENEFITS (IN 2015 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) - Total households - Median household income (dollars) Margin of Error; INCOME AND BENEFITS (IN 2015 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOL- LARS) - Total households - Median household income (dollars) Percent; INCOME AND BENEFITS (IN 2015 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) - Total households - Median household income (dollars) Percent Margin of Error; INCOME AND BENEFITS (IN 2015 INFLATION-ADJUSTED DOLLARS) - Total households - Median household income (dollars) Estimate; PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHOSE INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS IS BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL - All people Margin of Error; PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHOSE INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS IS BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL - All people HC03_VC171 Percent; PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHOSE INCOME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS IS BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL - All people HC04_VC171 Percent Margin of Error; PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHOSE IN- COME IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS IS BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL - All people 9

Appendix B Alternative Assessment of Minority Populations Using the U.S. Census American Fact Finder The American Fact Finder can also be used to obtain county or city level census data to use as a comparison to the EJSCREEN data for the buffer area. Race Data 1. On the main page navigate to advanced search 2. Choose Geographies Select county or city (if applicable for spot improvements), 3. Choose Topics People Origins Race or Ethnic Origin B02001 Race 4. Click Download Choose Use the data Choose both check boxes: merge annotations and data in a single file and include descriptive data element names 5. Open the Excel workbook files and edit the workbook to only include the codes listed in Table 1. 6. Add the County/City data to the data tables in the environmental document. Hispanic/Latino Data 1. On the main page navigate to advanced search 2. Choose Geographies Select county or city (if applicable for spot improvements), 3. Choose Topics People Origins Race or Ethnic Origin B03002- Hispanic or Latino by Race 4. Click Download Choose Use the data Choose both check boxes: merge annotations and data in a single file and include descriptive data element names 5. Open the Excel workbook files and edit the workbook to only include the codes listed in Table 1. 6. Add the County/City data to the data tables in the environmental document. 1. 4. 2. 3. 10

EJSCREEN ACS Summary Report Appendix C Location: Ring (buffer): Description: User-specified point center at 44.449145, -95.785063 0.25-mile radius Summary of ACS Estimates 2011-2015 Population 709 Population Density (per sq. mile) 4,076 Minority Population 190 % Minority 27% Households 332 Housing Units 358 Housing Units Built Before 1950 140 Per Capita Income 23,960 Land Area (sq. miles) (Source: SF1) 0.17 % Land Area 100% Water Area (sq. miles) (Source: SF1) 0.00 % Water Area 0% Population by Race Total Population Reporting One Race White Black American Indian Asian Pacific Islander Some Other Race Population Reporting Two or More Races Total Hispanic Population Total Non-Hispanic Population White Alone Black Alone American Indian Alone Non-Hispanic Asian Alone Pacific Islander Alone Other Race Alone Two or More Races Alone Population by Sex Male Female Population by Age Age 0-4 Age 0-17 Age 18+ Age 65+ 2011-2015 ACS Estimates DRAFT Percent MOE (±) 709 100% 268 704 99% 572 611 86% 260 6 1% 31 12 2% 65 52 7% 112 0 0% 9 22 3% 95 5 1% 34 118 17% 250 591 519 73% 239 6 1% 31 12 2% 65 51 7% 112 0 0% 9 0 0% 9 3 0% 17 356 50% 175 352 50% 147 58 8% 92 167 24% 114 542 76% 196 124 18% 81 Data Note: Detail may not sum to totals due to rounding. Hispanic population can be of any race. N/A means not available. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2011-2015. August 31, 2017 1/3

EJSCREEN ACS Summary Report Location: Ring (buffer): Description: User-specified point center at 44.449145, -95.785063 0.25-mile radius Population 25+ by Educational Attainment Total Less than 9th Grade 9th - 12th Grade, No Diploma High School Graduate Some College, No Degree Associate Degree Bachelor's Degree or more Population Age 5+ Years by Ability to Speak English Total Speak only English Non-English at Home 1+2+3+4 1 Speak English "very well" 2 Speak English "well" 3 Speak English "not well" 4 Speak English "not at all" 3+4 Speak English "less than well" 2+3+4 Speak English "less than very well" Linguistically Isolated Households * Total Speak Spanish Speak Other Indo-European Languages Speak Asian-Pacific Island Languages Speak Other Languages Households by Household Income Household Income Base < $15,000 $15,000 - $25,000 $25,000 - $50,000 $50,000 - $75,000 $75,000 + Occupied Housing Units by Tenure Total Owner Occupied Renter Occupied Employed Population Age 16+ Years Total In Labor Force Civilian Unemployed in Labor Force Not In Labor Force 2011-2015 ACS Estimates DRAFT Percent MOE (±) 450 100% 152 42 9% 72 18 4% 55 133 30% 80 125 28% 79 51 11% 56 131 29% 78 650 100% 248 502 77% 178 148 23% 160 101 16% 136 22 3% 57 24 4% 55 0 0% 9 24 4% 55 47 7% 78 9 100% 46 9 100% 45 0 0% 9 0 0% 9 0 0% 9 332 100% 92 50 15% 81 35 10% 65 115 35% 85 67 20% 57 65 20% 55 332 100% 92 185 56% 69 147 44% 91 555 100% 192 395 71% 175 28 5% 49 161 29% 107 Data Note: Detail may not sum to totals due to rounding. Hispanic population can be of any race. N/A means not available. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2011-2015. *Households in which no one 14 and over speaks English "very well" or speaks English only. August 31, 2017 2/3

Location: Ring (buffer): Description: User-specified point center at 44.449145, -95.785063 0.25-mile radius EJSCREEN ACS Summary Report Population by Language Spoken at Home * Total (persons age 5 and above) English Spanish French French Creole Italian Portuguese German Yiddish Other West Germanic Scandinavian Greek Russian Polish Serbo-Croatian Other Slavic Armenian Persian Gujarathi Hindi Urdu Other Indic Other Indo-European Chinese Japanese Korean Mon-Khmer, Cambodian Hmong Thai Laotian Vietnamese Other Asian Tagalog Other Pacific Island Navajo Other Native American Hungarian Arabic Hebrew African Other and non-specified Total Non-English 2011-2015 ACS Estimates DRAFT Percent MOE (±) 650 100% 248 Data Note: Detail may not sum to totals due to rounding. Hispanic population can be of any race. N/A means not available. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 2011-2015. *Population by Language Spoken at Home is available at the census tract summary level and up. August 31, 2017 3/3