CLF community advocate seeks community members for new advisory group focused on environmental justice 

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NASHUA, NH – “We definitely have an inequality issue around environmental justice matters,” said Marina Vaz, who should know; it’s her job to know, as environmental justice community advocate for Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) of Nashua. 

“The part of town you live in, your level of income, none of that should dictate your quality of life and access to safe lead-free housing, to good quality infrastructure, good recreational opportunities, trees in your neighborhood. We should be able to guarantee that to Nashua residents,” Vaz added. “Who better to address [these issues] than the community experiencing them day in and day out?” 

Vaz is forming an environmental justice advisory group made of Nashua residents to do just that. She hopes to form a group of 10 to 12 community members who will identify priorities concerning environmental justice, and come up with and advocate for solutions. The group will meet once a month, and as needed for specific campaigns. 

The goal is to embed a community voice into decision making processes, and have their perspective considered at the local and state level on decisions that will impact them. 

 “I like to think of environmental justice as an issue of burdens and benefits,” Vaz said. “We have communities – traditionally lower income communities, communities of color, immigrant communities – that have been overburdened by pollution, and they, by the same token, don’t have equitable access to environmental benefits, whether that’s clean air, water, lead free housing, [or] quality public infrastructure. Environmental justice is really seeking to address that inequity, and to make sure that we are distributing environmental burdens and environmental benefits in a more equitable way.” 

Vaz notes the tree streets and the East Hollis Street neighborhood as two areas in Nashua that are experiencing environmental injustice. 

The tree streets have less tree canopy coverage than other areas of town, which offers shade and cooling during heat, good air quality, and the aesthetics and experiences that come with having nature and green spaces near your home. 

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The East Hollis neighborhood – where the asphalt plant was proposed – already has higher levels of air pollution and related health impacts such as asthma than other areas of the city.

Community members that have expressed interest in the group have mentioned concerns around storm water management and localized flooding, and equity for children walking to school by addressing the poor quality of sidewalks and plowing issues that cause children to have to walk on the road.  

“It’s just so key to have a community voice in decision making processes,” Vaz said. “In issues like the asphalt plant, you really saw what a community coming together and voicing their opposition did in terms of affecting outcomes, and so I’m really looking forward to getting this group started in the next months and getting this off the ground.” 

Vaz hopes for the group to have their first meeting in December before the holidays. While a definite location has not yet been decided, the Nashua Public Library is being considered as a meeting space. 

If you are interested in joining the environmental justice advocacy group, contact Vaz at mvaz@clf.org or call at 603-573-9150. 

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