EQB seeks public input on draft strategic plan emphasizing climate, equity and environmental review

The Environmental Quality Board on April 17 reviewed a draft strategic plan that would guide EQB’s work through 2029 and agreed the draft is ready to be released for public comment with attention to implementation capacity.

Executive Director Catherine Neuschler presented the plan’s mission language and four outcomes: fostering meaningful conversations, supporting policy and program development, maintaining and improving environmental review, and addressing disproportionate and disproportionate impacts. Neuschler said the draft updates outcomes and strategies developed over several months and proposes four strategies for each outcome, including convening interagency teams, building technical assistance for environmental review, and exploring frameworks to identify disproportionate impacts.

Neuschler said the plan is aspirational but must be aligned with staff capacity. “Part of my goal is to align our aspirations with our capacity,” she said, noting a plan to prepare a one-year work plan that would prioritize and align resources with the strategic outcomes. Board members praised the plan’s ambition but urged realistic milestones and clearer public-facing framing about EQB’s role compared with member agencies.

Member comments asked for clarity about how the strategic plan will link to the annual work plan and asked for specific questions to guide public comment. The board signaled consensus to seek public input and to return with a work-plan alignment and metrics after the comment period.