Fresno County Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategies

California’s Senate Bill 375 mandates that each regional government in California develop and adopt plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in part through developing Regional Transportation Plans and Sustainable Communities Strategies that will guide local land use, transportation, and other decisions important to greenhouse gas emissions.  California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) conducted two health impact assessments (HIA) to inform the metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in Kern County and Fresno County, California as they develop these plans. The HIAs examine the ways in which these plans may influence factors important to health, such as access to sidewalks, bike lanes and open space, healthy foods, and healthcare services, and exposure to air pollution.

To conduct the HIAs, CRLA engaged the two MPOs and community-based stakeholder organizations to develop strategies to mitigate negative health outcomes and promote health. The HIAs will inform both the development of the plan and the subsequent environmental impact review that each county will undertake as part of the decision-making process.

Supported by funding from The California Endowment.