Environmental Justice Council

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About the Environmental Justice Council 

In 2022, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 4077 that renamed and codified the then existing Environmental Justice Task Force (EJTF) as the Environmental Justice Council (EJC). The EJC, established within the Office of the Governor, is a 13-member statewide council responsible to advise the Governor and state natural resource agencies on environmental justice (EJ) issues. The statute directs the council, with staff support from the Department of Environment Quality and Oregon Health Authority, to develop an environmental justice mapping tool. The purpose of this mapping tool is to provide geospatial information about EJ impacts and to develop guidance for state agencies when adopting rules and policies. The act further requires the council to follow an inclusive community engagement process to develop the mapping tool and directs it to establish technical collaboration with the Office of Enterprise Information Services; the Institute of Natural Resources at Oregon State University; and the Population Research Center at Portland State University to develop, maintain, and make the tool publicly available.

HB 4077 expanded the definition of “environmental justice communities" to broadly include communities of color, communities experiencing lower incomes, communities experiencing health inequities, tribal communities, rural communities, remote communities, coastal communities, communities with limited infrastructure and other communities traditionally underrepresented in public processes and adversely harmed by environmental and health hazards, including seniors, youth, and persons with disabilities. Environmental justice is defined as “equal protection from environmental and health risks, fair treatment and meaningful involvement in decision making of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, immigration status, income or other identifies with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies that affect the environment in which people live, work, learn, and practice spirituality and culture.”

Council Members

Chairperson, Joel Garcia-Iboa 
Chair

Amanda Sullivan-Astor
Member 

Danny Cage
Youth Representative 

Ben Duncan
OCBA Appointee 

Jim Kreider
Member

Marilyn McClellan
OCAPIA Appointee 

Tiffany Monroe
Member 

Gustavo Morales
OCHA Appointee 

Katie Murray
Member

Huy Ong
Member 

Quinn (Quynh Dinh) Read
Member

Valentin Sanchez
Member 

Vacant
Appointee of Commission on Indian Services 

Upcoming Meeting

• Subcommittee Meeting, Environmental Justice Mapping  - September 18, 2023 9:30 am - 11:00 am - Zoom Meeting Link - EJ Mapping Tool Subcommittee Agenda
  
• Council Meeting - October 17, 2023: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm - Zoom Meeting Link
• Council Meeting - November 7, 2023: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm - Zoom Meeting Link
• Council Meeting - December 5, 2023: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm - Zoom Meeting Link
  

Resources and References

Environmental Justice Task Force Handbook

Natural resources agencies

Previously recorded meetings

Note: Only select meetings have been recorded.

Contact Us

To be added to the Environmental Justice Council email list or for questions, please send your request to: EJ.Council@oregon.gov