Los Angeles County's fight to shield vulnerable neighborhoods from the dangers of pollution is about to get a progress check. The Board of Supervisors has unanimously passed a motion demanding an update on the Green Zone Program, a scheme designed to impose tighter control on industrial pollution hotspots, especially in Black and Latino communities. Supervisor Janice Hahn, the initiator of the motion, and Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, the co-author, are calling for a report in 120 days to reveal what's been done and what's still pending, as per Los Angeles County's announcement.
Launched a year and a half ago, the Green Zone Program aims to rigorously regulate land use and zoning around 11 unincorporated areas abutting industrial sites. The program, which Hahn says has been out of the public eye for too long, puts stringent permitting requirements on these facilities, to reduce the toxic trail they leave behind. "The County can't afford to drag its feet on this any longer. These communities deserve better," Hahn stated, highlighting the urgency to quickly and substantively follow through on the board's commitment to these neighborhoods.
The urgency stems from the experiences of communities like City Terrace, as pointed out by Supervisor Solis. Despite considerable strides, these areas continue to grapple with businesses that fall short on environmental companionship. "We must stay on top of the Green Zone Program and keep track of the progress made to date – we owe it to our most impacted communities," Solis emphasized, asserting the importance of detailed updates in holding companies accountable and pushing the program's implementation.
These areas have not been strangers to environmental crises. Supervisor Hahn has been a staunch advocate for affected residents, especially in actions against contamination from the notorious Exide battery plant in Vernon. Hahn's persistent calls for cleanup of lead-soiled neighborhoods, mainly Latino, have now evolved into the upcoming launch of the Office of Environmental Justice, a testament to the ongoing battle for environmental equity in Los Angeles.
Hahn's leadership has extended beyond calls for cleanup; it has translated into tangible legislative groundwork. The Green Zone Ordinance has broadened development requirements for 'sensitive uses' near industrial and waste facilities, a proactive move to safeguard schools, homes, hospitals, and other vulnerable spaces from being inadvertent victims of industrial sprawl and negligence.
