The Contra Costa Asthma Coalition (CCAC) is an inclusive, broad-based partnership of organizations and individuals whose mission is to strengthen Contra Costa County’s ability to prevent asthma and improve the lives of people affected by asthma.

The CCAC has been successful in working with decision makers and community members to advocate for policy changes to improve respiratory health. During this past year, the CCAC has concentrated its policy interventions in reducing environmental triggers of asthma in West Contra Costa County.

Stationary and mobile sources of air pollution in West County include the largest oil refinery in the Bay Area, two major rail lines, three major highways and a disproportionate number of truck routes through low-income neighborhoods. As such, West Contra Costa has a high level of key risk factors for health problems, which includes significant exposure to environmental risks such as accidental toxic releases and high levels of diesel emissions.

Health related matters are often contemplated after policymakers have already decided how a region of their city or county will grow and develop. However, it is the community that often carries the burden of negative impacts frequently associated with planning where health impacts are a secondary factor. The CCAC has been very active in advocating for the inclusion of health in land use policies as they are being drafted.

Previously the CCAC worked with the Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency, several community partners and neighborhood residents on the North Richmond Truck Route Study. The purpose of the study was to develop an alternative route that would reduce truck traffic in the residential area of North Richmond and establish a link to major transportation corridors that are nearby. The preferred route was presented to and approved by the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors and the Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency is in the process of securing funds to implement the project.

Currently, the North Richmond area is undergoing a period of significant development. The county is developing a Specific Plan for North Richmond. The Specific Plan will provide a broad vision and platform for policies to guide and direct land use and transportation decisions as North Richmond changes and grows. It is anticipated that the Specific Plan will be finalized by the Spring of 2010.

The CCAC is actively participating in the drafting of the Specific Plan for North Richmond. The CCAC is working with the Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency to ensure that the approved truck route be included in the Specific Plan and that new projects will be in harmony with the route. The CCAC has also played, and will continue to play, an integral role in this process by providing recommendations for health principles based on current policies and best practices for a healthy built environment and incorporating land use recommendations from regulatory agencies such as the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

For more information about the CCAC and its activities, please contact Cedrita Claiborne at cclairbo@hsd.cccounty.us.

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