Community members participate in an 2022 Earth Day celebration at Comite Civico del Valle, Inc. | PHOTO CREDIT: VICTOR BEAS/CCV

If the pandemic has done anything, it's been to strengthen the resolve of the environmental justice community, to bring us all together in times of crisis and establish coalitions and form leaders as a means to better the lives of Imperial County residents.

Yet an ever-receding Salton Sea did not slow its pace while the world stopped for COVID. High rates of asthma among Imperial County’s most vulnerable populations continued. Those issues and more still need champions, and now the environmental justice community requires help to steward this so-called Lithium Valley, making certain the development does right by the “fenceline” communities in the shadow of emerging technologies.

That is why we are here today, to learn from each other as we address the past, engage the present, and build the leaders of the future environmental justice movement.


Comite Civico Del Valle proudly welcomes you to join the 11th Environmental Health Leadership Summit on October 27th at the campus of Imperial Valley College. The Summit is a coordinated action to cultivate partnerships and advocacy for environmental and health concerns in underserved communities within the Salton Sea Air Basin and throughout California.

With over 30 years of advocating for environmental justice communities, as well as their innovative community air monitoring leadership role, Comite Civico Del Valle unifies diverse experts, community stakeholders, youth leadership, environmental justice organizations, academia, and researchers to help centralize their commitment to improving air quality and social injustices through advocacy and education.

The 2022 Summit creates a dynamic platform for attendees to experience a day of interactive enrichment through workshops, panels, and presentations aimed at stimulating discussion and excitement for various topics surrounding environmental and public health.

"Informed people build healthy communities"

Participants in Comite Civico del Valle, Inc.'s 2019 Environmental Health Leadership Summit at Imperial Valley College listen to one of the summit's panel speakers. | PHOTO CREDIT: CCV STAFF

Speakers


Schedule


  • 7:20 AM - 8:30AM

    Registration & Breakfast
  • 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

    Opening Remarks

    Luis Olmedo, Executive Director, Comite Civico del Valle

    Dr. Lennor M. Johnson, President/Superintendent, Imperial Valley College

    Preston J. Arrow-weed, President of Ah Mut Pipah Foundation Quechan/Kamya Elde

    MC(s):

    Dr. Arcela Nuñez, Universidad Popular (invited)

    Ricardo Martinez, Saviendas Strategies

    Main Lecture Hall. Space for 140

    Overflow Room. Will live-cast

  • 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

    PANEL 1
    Achieving Climate Equity in the Clean Energy Transition

    Moderator:

    Lauri Walker, Center for Sustainable Energy

    Panelists:

    • V. John White, Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies
    • Cristina Marquez, IBEW Local 569
    • Maria Nava-Froelich, Calipatria Mayor Pro Tem
    • Sara Chandler, Elemental Excelerator

    Perspectives of different stakeholders in creating equitable opportunities with the transition to clean energy. Health, education, employment, infrastructure, and advocacy will be discussed in terms of the clean energy sector emerging in the region. Discussion of measures that need to be taken to equitably and justly integrate clean energy.

  • 9:45 AM - 10:30 AM

    PANEL 2
    Importance of Health Impacts Assessments In Environmental and Land Use Decisions

    Moderator:

    Daniela Flores, Imperial Valley Equity & Justice Coalition

    Panelists:

    • Paul English, Tracking California
    • Candice Youngblood, Earthjustice
    • Alvaro Alvarado, OEHHA
    • Dr. Manuel Pastor, USC

    Local and statewide panel covering the health impacts of poor air quality, the impact of pollution, and health disparities. The panel brings academic & community voices to the forefront to showcase the struggles in disadvantaged communities.

  • 10:30 AM - 10:40 AM

    Break
  • 10:40 AM - 11:40 AM

    PANEL 3
    Initiatives that Improve Health, Economic and Environmental Conditions at the Salton Sea Region

    Moderator:

    John Hernandez, Our Roots Multicultural Center

    Panelists:

    • Esperanza Colio Warren, Calexico City Manager
    • Shohreh Farzan, University of Southern California
    • Miguel Hernandez, California Natural Resources Agency
    • Kourtney Vacarro, California Energy Commission
    • Manfred Scott, Quechan Tribe & Lithium Valley Commission

    The definition of a dichotomy, the Salton Sea is primed for a possible ecological collapse, yet it could also spell an economic boon for the region. Tribal members, local and state agencies, as well as academia are paying close attention to the state of affairs at the sea. Our panelists will share their perspectives and the actions undertaken to achieve a positive outcome for the region.

  • 11:40 AM - 12:30 PM

    PANEL 4
    Lithium Valley: The State of Lithium Policy Initiatives

    Moderator:

    Jose Carmona, Tzunu

    Panelists:

    • Jesus Escobar, Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chair
    • Jonathan Weisgall, BHE Renewables
    • Carlos Gonzalez, Chief of Staff, Assembly member Eduardo Garcia
    • Christian Torres, Comite Civico del Valle
    • Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency (Pre-recorded Message)

    As the Lithium Valley Commission readies to close the comment period on the first draft of its report on Friday, Oct. 28, the conversations will carry on as to ensure the lithium industry does not come at the expense of fenceline communities. Members and/or stakeholders from the commission will weigh in.

  • 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

    Luncheon - Provided

    Keynote Speaker:

    David Hochschild, California Energy Commission

  • 1:30 PM - 3:50 PM

    Workshops

    6 Classrooms

    Each session 60 mins, with 10 min transition break, 2 rotations:

    1:40 P:M - 2:40 P:M

    Break - 2:40 P:M to 2:50 P:M

    2:50 P:M - 3:50 P:M

    A) Implementing Projects at the Salton Sea

    Room: 2726

    Facilitator:

    Daniel Garcia, Comite Civico del Valle

    Participants:

    • Mario Llanos, California Natural Resources Agency
    • Frank Ruiz, Audubon Wetland Project
    • Sergio Valenzuela, SCS Engineers

    The Salton Sea Region, extending from the Eastern Coachella Valley to the Imperial Valley, and even across the border into Mexicali, is in a difficult situation with the receding shoreline and the potential impacts to surroundingits communities.

    Multiple projects are underway to help reduce and mitigate the potential impacts caused by the lowering elevation of the sea, but there is more to be done.

    B) Respira Sano: Addressing Asthma Through Community Education

    Room: 2727

    Participants:

    • Isamay Pasillas, Comite Civico del Valle
    • Ricardo Romero, Comite Civico del Valle
    • Melanie Echeverria, Comite Civico del Valle

    Learn about the intervention programs that organizations are doing to help communities deal with public health issues such as asthma, and indoor air quality. Comite Civico del Valle works with Imperial Valley residents through the Respira Sano asthma mitigation program.

    C) Community Organizing for Climate Equity and Economic Justice

    Room: 2728

    Facilitator:

    Eric Reyes, Los Amigos de la Comunidad

    Participants:

    • Ruben Rodriguez - Central California Environmental Justice Network
    • Gustavo Aguirre Jr. - Central California Environmental Justice Network

    Grassroots organizing is a key tool in environmental justice communities. We invite you to hear about how community members have organized to ask for solutions to problems that their communities are living with. Discussion will revolve around Imperial County’s lagging per capita income and systemic unemployment.

    D) Intersection of Climate Crisis and Exposure to Ground-level Toxins

    Room: 2731

    Facilitator:

    Miguel Alatorre, Greenaction

    Participants:

    • Matt Holmes, Little Manila Rising
    • Alejandro Solis, Brawley Community
    • Catherine Garoupa White, Central Valley Air Quality Coalition

    Hear common themes and unifying stories of environmentmental justice communities on the frontlines of toxic assaults on their neighborhoods. Panelists talk about California communities of color facing potentially devastating effects of industrial pollution, and those communities’ capacity for “climate resilience.”

    E) Risks and Best Practices of Extracting Critical Minerals in the Transition to Cleaner Fuels

    Room: 2732

    Facilitator:

    Jose Flores, Comite Civico del Valle

    Participants:

    • Jared Naimark, Earthworks
    • James Blair, Cal Poly Pomona
    • California Geologic Energy M​anagement Division

    What does a transition from fossil fuels to green energy looks like? Learn about the three methods of lithium mining and how “green” they are: hard rock mining, brine evaporation, and direct lithium extraction.

    F) Electrification: Achieving Equitable Access to EVs

    Room: 2735

    Participants:

    • Efrain Silva, Imperial Valley College Dean of Economic and Workforce Development
    • Victor Beas, Comite Civico del Valle
    • Trish Johnson, California Air Resources Board
    • California Geologic Energy M​anagement Division

    California is leading the way in electrification, and the Imperial Valley stands to get in on some of the good-paying, clean, green jobs that will undoubtedly come as a result. The question ahead will be how to bridge the gaps in making electric vehicles accessible and how electrification can be affordably implemented in rural communities.

  • 3:50 PM - 4:00 PM

    Break
  • 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

    Panel 5
    Latinas Changing the Environment

    Moderator:

    Janira Figueroa, Comite Civico del Valle

    Participants:

    • Martha Guzman, Administrator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 (virtual live)
    • Lauren Sanchez, Governor's Office (virtual live)
    • Yana Garcia, California Environmental Protection Agency (virtual live)
    • Belen Leon, Imperial County Air Pollution Control District Officer
    • Andrea Ambriz, California Natural Resources Agency

    It’s a new era for the environmental justice community, and women are rewriting the rules and redefining today's leadership roles and tomorrow’s path forward. Women of color, many from underserved and underrepresented communities themselves, continue to spearhead initiatives to tackle climate change. A few of them tell their stories.

  • 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

    Closing Remark

    MC(s):

    Dr. Arcela Nuñez, Universidad Popular

    Ricardo Martinez, Saviendas Strategies

    Closing:

    Luis Olmedo, Comite Civico del Valle

Hosted By


Details


Covid Guidelines

Our Requests

  1. Take extra care to limit exposure to Covid before the Summit. This may include wearing a mask while indoors, avoiding crowds, and social distancing.
  2. Take a rapid Covid test before you arrive. We will also be issuing tests for any registrants who may feel unsure about their tests.

Important Reminders from Our Covid Safety Guidelines

  1. You should expect to wear a mask unless you are outdoors, presenting, or actively eating or drinking. Should you forget, we’ll politely remind you, and we’ll also have plenty of extra masks readily available.
  2. If you test positive for Covid or experience any symptoms, please refrain from attending the Forum. If you feel symptomatic at any point, please let us know by emailing info@ejsummit.com We’ll ask that you remove yourself from event spaces, isolate, and get tested.

We greatly appreciate your compliance with our Covid requirements and any additional measures you choose to take to help us create a safe environment at the Environmental Health Leadership Summit. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.”

Details


Covid Guidelines

Our Requests

  1. Take extra care to limit exposure to Covid before the Summit. This may include wearing a mask while indoors, avoiding crowds, and social distancing.
  2. Take a rapid Covid test before you arrive. We will also be issuing tests for any registrants who may feel unsure about their tests.

Important Reminders from Our Covid Safety Guidelines

  1. You should expect to wear a mask unless you are outdoors, presenting, or actively eating or drinking. Should you forget, we’ll politely remind you, and we’ll also have plenty of extra masks readily available.
  2. If you test positive for Covid or experience any symptoms, please refrain from attending the Forum. If you feel symptomatic at any point, please let us know by emailing info@ejsummit.com We’ll ask that you remove yourself from event spaces, isolate, and get tested.

We greatly appreciate your compliance with our Covid requirements and any additional measures you choose to take to help us create a safe environment at the Environmental Health Leadership Summit. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.”