Environment and Health

Please provide comments at the bottom once you have reviewed the action items.

ENVIRONMENT and HEALTH

DRAFT Goals, Projects, and ACTION STEPS

GOAL: Clean and Healthy Environment (14)

Monitor air quality hazards and keep people informed 

ACTION STEPS: Install stationary air quality monitors in the neighborhood, focusing on areas adjacent to mining sites, landfills, concrete batch facilities, recycling centers, highways, and schools; Advocate for real-time air quality alert systems that provide “push” notifications to residents when air quality conditions are unsafe 

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Advocate, Support, Implement
• City: Houston Health Department | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: Air Alliance Houston, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Fort               Bend County | Role: Support, Implement

 Provide water quality testing 

ACTION STEPS: Create a water quality testing program for all existing buildings and enforce mandatory testing for all new developments; Monitor water quality in the Chasewood Drive area

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Advocate
• City: Houston Health Department | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: TCEQ | Role: Support, Implement

Strengthen development restrictions for properties with soil contamination 

ACTION STEPS: Inventory prior land uses in the neighborhood, including oil fields, industrial sites, and gas stations, to identify areas with potential soil contamination and regulate development on the sites 

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Advocate
• City: Houston Health Department, Planning and Development Department | Role: Support 
• Community Connectors: TCEQ | Role: Implement

GOAL: Increased Environmental Awareness 

Develop an Environmental Awareness Advocacy Coalition 

ACTION STEPS: Create a community-based environmental awareness coalition to advocate for policies and programs that improve the health and safety of the environment in Fort Bend Houston 

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Advocate
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Area HOA’s, Area Churches, Schools, and Civic Organizations, Air Alliance                         Houston | Role: Support

Organize Environmental Justice Tours 

ACTION STEPS: Organize and host toxic tours of Fort Bend Houston to strengthen awareness of environmental hazards and environmental injustices, and advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations

COORDINATION

• Community: Proposed Environmental Awareness Coalition | Role: Organize, Implement 
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities, Houston Health Department | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Area Businesses, Air Alliance Houston, TCEQ | Role: Support

Increase environmental hazard preparedness

ACTION STEPS: Create an “Environmental Awareness Toolbox” for area families detailing how to shelter in place and use the 311reporting system; Provide a system to notify residents in real-time in the case of hazardous releases or other environmental emergencies

COORDINATION 

• Community: Proposed Environmental Awareness Coalition, Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize,                        Implement 
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities, Houston Health Department | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Area Industries, TCEQ, Air Alliance Houston | Role: Support

GOAL: Healthy People (11)

Identify and address critical health issues 

ACTION STEPS: Organize block-walking events and neighborhood surveys to identify and prioritize critical health issues facing residents, including respiratory illnesses

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Houston Health Department | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Area Churches, Schools, and Civic Organizations | Role: Support

Improve access to healthcare services 

ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the expansion and access to healthcare in the community, including general and urgent care, dental and mental health services 

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend SNC | Role: Advocate
• City: Houston Health Department, Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | Role: Support, Advocate
• Community Connectors: Harris Health, TMC, Legacy Clinic, MD Anderson, Baylor College of Medicine |                 Role: Implement 

 Campaign for healthy living 

ACTION STEPS: Develop a community-wide campaign to identify priorities to improve healthy living, including advocating for healthier food options at stores and restaurants, installing exercise equipment at area parks, and other projects 

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Outreach, Organize, Advocate
• City: Houston Health Department, Houston Parks and Recreation Department | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: Area Stores and Restaurants, Harris Health | Role: Support