Omega Wilson, MS, West End Revitalization Association, PO Box 661, 206 Moore St., Mebane, NC 27302, 919-563-8857, wera1usa@earthlink.net

A. Introduction: Low-income/minority communities face the disproportionate impacts of “Built Environments” in Mebane, NC. The PAIN caused by the “built environment” is visible in communities systematically denied basic amenities.

1) Barriers: a) Physical Barriers: 119-bypass/interstate, dead-end/unpaved streets, and landfills b) Artificial Boundaries: industrial park, land-use planning, zoning, and red-lining, c) Institutional Limitations: economic disparities, racial discrimination and academic exploitation, and d) Non-compliance of civil rights and EJ regulations.

2) Impacts of “Built Environment” = “ethnic community bleaching”: a) Exposure to environmental hazards in the home and workplace of low-income, people of color cause negative health effects and b) Public health risks result in higher cancer rates, premature deaths and reduced property value.

B. Methods: a) Community Level: grassroots and stakeholder leadership training b) Local/State/Federal Governments: civic engagement, public records, and media exposure, c) Civil Rights and EJ Complaints: US DOJ and EPA, and d) Grassroots management of research, assessment, and corrective action.

C. Results: a) WERA 501©(3) incorporation of five low-income/minority communities in Mebane, b) Moratorium on Hwy. 119-bypass and federal funding in Mebane, c) Collaborative partnerships support EPA EJ Small Grant study resulting in corrective actions, d) Open retaliation from local government officials and non-responsiveness from public health agencies.

This presentation will describe the historical patterns of built environment and EJ impacts on WERA communities through the open defiance of federal environmental and public health laws, discuss the long-term solutions involving local/state/federal policy changes, and highlight litigation and non-litigation strategies that can mitigate EJ and public health problems.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Demonstrate the physical, artificial, and institutional barriers in low-income/minority communities in Mebane, NC
• Outline a successful methodology to address the grass-roots problems created by the "Built Environment" in low-income/minority communities in Mebane, NC
• Understand the importance of litigation strategies and collaborative partnerships to address and mitigate environmental and public health impacts of the "Built Environment" in WERA communities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.