Below are set forth procedures that should be followed by any Sierra Club entity when making decisions opposing or endorsing the siting, funding, construction, or reconstruction of a school, hospital, low-income housing project, or other project that will provide benefits principally to an economically disadvantaged community (“covered project”).
Review Procedures:
(1) Before expressing its support for or opposition to a covered project, an entity should:
(A) Have its representatives meet with representatives of the beneficiary community face to face. This meeting should be a listening session, seeking common ground, and no Club position should be conveyed, although environmental concerns should be shared;
(B) Prepare a written assessment of the (a) environmental impacts of the project, (b) any feasible environmentally superior alternatives, and (3) the benefits of the project to the local community, and the position(s) of the community. If the community is divided, this should be noted. This is not meant to be an exhaustive review, just a clear and concise summary of the project and the pertinent considerations. Two pages of narrative should generally suffice. This memo should be copied to the chair of the chapter in which the project would be located, the chair of the national Environmental Justice Committee, and the VP for Conservation.
(2) Entities other than chapters should consult with the chapter in which the project would be located.
(3) The initiating Sierra Club entity is encouraged to seek advice during this process from appropriate knowledge national and regional conservation entities and staff, including, but not limited to, the national Environmental Justice Committee.
Approved by Sierra Club Board of Directors, November 14-15, 2003 (see meeting Brief of Actions)