Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
Originally our focus will begin was the 4 Mile Run (4MR) Watershed. This watershed consists of Oakland, Squirrel Hill, Greenfield, and The Run neighborhoods. Attention by PWSA and DOMI has been considerable in this sewershed. PWSA is planning stormwater infrastructure and system updates in this sewershed. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for several years developed an M-29 Task Force to help develop citizen involvement in this PWSA process (M-29 is the outfall that all sewer waste from 4MR flows to).
But if we lead with justice, does that get everyone at the table? Whose voice is missing?
The geographical boundary of 4MR sewershed leaves out the opportunity to partner with neighbors and organizations in Hazelwood and Glen Hazel. Hazelwood and Glen Hazel become especially isolated when you consider 4MR tight watershed boundary to the east with 9 Mile Run (Duck Hollow). Between 4MR and 9 Mile Run, Hazelwood and Glen Hazel (which flow to smaller sewersheds around the bend of the Monongahela river), are left to advocate alone.
Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania have a history of isolating and obscuring the voices of disenfranchised neighborhoods and municipalities along the Mon.
PA defines Environmental Justice as:
Environmental justice embodies the principle that communities and populations should not be disproportionally exposed to adverse environmental impacts. Historically, minority and low-income Pennsylvanians have been forced to bear a disproportionate share of adverse environmental impacts. It is our duty to ensure that all Pennsylvanians, especially those that have typically been disenfranchised, are meaningfully involved in the decisions that affect their environment and that all communities are not unjustly and/or disproportionally burden with adverse environmental impacts. Simply put, environmental justice ensures that everyone has an equal seat at the table.
-https://www.dep.pa.gov/PublicParticipation/OfficeofEnvironmentalJustice
Hazelwood and Glen Hazel have disproportionately experienced environmental impacts.
So if any organization proclaims environmental justice and infrastructure equity as a guiding principle, it must acknowledge the environmental injustices that have and continue to occur in the Mon river valley.
A watershed association must assist in the dismantling of barriers to clean water and healthy water systems for ALL communities within the Monongahela peninsula. We can not shy away from and must facilitate conversations about historical and current inequities around water resource investment. We must acknowledge our own role in these systems and do better.
The concept of viewing Pittsburgh through individual pipe systems (sewersheds) seems unnatural. Without Hazelwood, 4MR would be creating a new version of “Clean Water” redlining. That separation within our community and organization is wrong. We need to unite and fight together.
The true diversity of Pittsburgh is beautiful. A regional watershed association can only be successful when all voices are at the table. When our geographical boundaries are broadened and Hazelwood and Glen Hazel are incorporated into our work.
It’s why we didn’t choose the name “4 Mile Run Watershed Association”. We can be better and more inclusive than that.
Our neighborhoods naturally flow together by way of the river. So let the Monongahela be our guide.
We are The Mon Water Project.
