Putting the Justice in Environmental Justice Screening Tools: A Case Study on Centering Community Voices and Needs in Southwest Detroit

Abstract

Government agencies across the United States are increasingly deploying “environmental justice (EJ) screening tools (EJSTs)” to identify impacted communities in environmental policymaking. However, these tools are often composed of exclusively quantitative data, without input from affected communities. Thus, we use our experience creating a ZIP-code-level module of the State of Michigan’s MiEJScreen as a case study on developing EJSTs that are both actionable and centered on residents’ concerns and needs. By articulating our process and recommendations, we support other EJ practitioners, communities, and government agencies in deploying more “just” EJ methodologies. This article offers five key recommendations for intentional EJST creation and implementation: incorporating (1) historical changes, (2) community-specific and asset data, (3) industrial footprints, (4) formats that suit qualitative data, and (5) defining the tool’s purpose, audience, and policy levers. The resulting tools prioritize the voices and needs of residents while assisting government agencies in developing strategies for cumulative impact decision making.