Why is this project needed?

Based on 2020 census data, of the island’s year-round population of about 14,000, nearly 72% live in six mapped areas identified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as environmental justice (EJ) areas, based primarily on the higher percentage of minority populations and lower median household income (see map below).

However, these communities are often not involved in environmental decision-making and planning and suffer disproportionate impacts from environmental exposures and hazards.

What is Environmental Justice?

Environmental justice (EJ) is defined as the fair treatment of all people in environmental decision-making. EJ recognizes that certain communities bear a disproportionate burden of environmental impacts. Therefore, it is important to ensure that people who are most affected by environmental hazards, especially underserved and underrepresented communities, have meaningful input in decisions. Furthermore, it is important that project benefits and impacts to EJ communities are considered fairly in decisions and projects.

What are the project outcomes?

The project will develop a Nantucket EJ Action Plan to serve as a guide for engaging diverse communities across the island and a corresponding EJ Training for town staff. In addition, the project will seek to form charter for an EJ Advisory Group to help inform and refine the EJ Action Plan over time.
Ultimately, this plan will lay the groundwork for seeking input from underrepresented and minority communities across the island to incorporate their concerns and suggestions into environmental plans and projects. This may range from flooding and erosion projects to addressing environmental contaminants, for example.

How and when will the project be conducted?

The Town initiated the project in Fall 2025 and is undertaking the project in two phases. The first phase is focusing on outreach and interviews with community-based organizations and key stakeholders that interface with diverse communities across the island. As part of these discussions, the project team is identifying trusted community liaisons and learning about engagement methods that work best for different communities and neighbors, barriers to engagement, and key environmental and climate concerns. As part of this phase, we are also developing a GIS mapping tool and undertaking an analysis to assess environmental impacts to EJ communities and understand data gaps.

The second phase will include the formation of an EJ focus group to help inform the development of the EJ Action Plan and EJ Advisory Group Charter. This will be undertaken in the Spring and Summer of 2026, with the final EJ Action Plan to be completed by the Fall of 2026.

Who is supporting the project?

Through a competitive bidding process, the Town of Nantucket selected ERG to support the development of the EJ Action Plan. ERG is an environmental public policy research firm headquartered in Concord, Massachusetts and brings over 40 years of experience supporting federal, state, and local agencies.

This project is being led by the Natural Resources Department Sustainability Programs Manager Vince Murphy and Conservation Agent Will Dell’Erba.

What if I have questions?

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: at vmurphy@nantucket-ma.gov or Will Dell’Erba at wdellerba@nantucket-ma.gov. You may also contact ERG directly at Shanika.Amarakoon@erg.com.