Development of a Community Mitigation Agreement for African-American Communities Impacted by Environmental Injustice Near the Port of Charleston

The Lowcountry Alliance for Model Communities (LAMC) is a non-profit community-based organization in North Charleston, SC that organized to address environmental justice and health issues in seven economically distressed African-American neighborhoods near the Port of Charleston. LAMC neighborhoods are impacted by many local pollution sources including Port of Charleston activities, diesel truck traffic, Superfund sites, an incinerator, brownfields, heavily-trafficked roads, and chemical plants. In addition, the LAMC neighborhoods have high levels of poverty, segregation, crime, and drug use. In 2005, the South Carolina States Port Authority (SCSPA), LAMC and the City of North Charleston agreed to work together to develop a community Mitigation Plan Agreement (MPA) that maximizes community benefits and minimizes undesirable impacts from the proposed expansion of the Port of Charleston. LAMC, SPSPA, and the City later signed a $4.08 million community mitigation agreement, which was heralded as a new approach to community planning and involvement. The monies will be used for education, economic, and community development in LAMC neighborhoods. The MPA has been instrumental in helping LAMC membership begin to address pollution and health issues associated with the Port of Charleston and other local industries, as well as to serve as the foundation for LAMC's partnership with DHEC and the University of South Carolina. The LAMC MPA has led to increased capacity of the community to address environmental justice and health issues and increased the involvement of residents in local environmental decision-making. This agreement could be used as a model for other communities impacted by port-related activities.