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Environmental justice bill would require cumulative-burden review and public participation before permits in overburdened areas
Summary
House Bill 1484 (CHERISH Our Communities Act) would require MDE to produce cumulative environmental burden reports and provide public participation options before permitting new or expanded pollutant sources in census tracts with high environmental justice scores; supporters say it fills gaps after federal rollbacks.
Delegate Jazz Lewis presented House Bill 1484, the CHERISH Our Communities Act, to the House Environment and Transportation Committee on March 11. The bill would require the Maryland Department of the Environment to consider cumulative environmental burdens when reviewing permits that would locate new or expanded facilities in or within 1.5 miles of census tracts with high environmental justice (EJ) scores.
Under the bill, MDE would prepare Environmental Burden Reports that document existing pollution, public health indicators, and projected cumulative impacts. The bill would also strengthen public participation by requiring notice and comment processes in front line communities before…
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