Environmental Justice Screening – Building Equity Into Communities at #MACoCon

November 24, 2025

As covered recently on Conduit Street, counties and municipalities looking to promote and further environmental justice (EJ) are experiencing some challenges and some support when it comes to their state and federal partners. Recent federal administration actions have rolled back and even eliminated grant funding for EJ programs, while the US Supreme Court additionally narrowed the scope of federal environmental impact reviews. Under these circumstances, local governments looking to protect land and communities from adverse environmental effects need more tools and resources at their disposal.

In Maryland Governor Moore, has made efforts to bolster tools and efforts for EJ with a recently signed an executive order, previously covered on Conduit Street, establishing a more unified approach to promoting EJ in Maryland. Critically, the executive order requires state agencies to use the Maryland Department of the Environment’s MDEnviroScreen mapping tool to engage impacted communities and develop tailored solutions to address environmental injustice.

This tool is also used by counties statewide and can help drive productive strategies for local governments and residents. The below 2025 MACo Winter Conference panel will discuss just that, bringing experts together to highlight how they use these tools to improve communities for residents.

Title: Environmental Justice Screening – Building Equity Into Communities
Description: Maryland continues to take steps to address the disproportionate environmental impacts faced by low-income and underserved communities. A recent Executive Order from Governor Moore emphasizes coordination across state agencies to support these communities in the face of climate change and environmental challenges. As part of this effort, the Maryland Department of the Environment has developed a mapping and screening tool designed to help identify areas of heightened environmental and public health vulnerability. This session will provide an overview of how the tool works, its potential applications for local governments, and how it can assist with meeting state program requirements. Participants will also hear about examples and strategies for incorporating environmental justice considerations into local planning and resource allocation.
Speakers:
- Aneca Atkinson – Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment
- Dawn Hawkins-Nixon – Director, Department of Environment, Prince George’s
- Asha Smith – Director, Office of Equity and Human Rights, Anne Arundel
Moderator: The Honorable Regina T. Boyce, MD House of Delegates

MACo’s Winter Conference, “Local Leadership, Lasting Impact: Shaping What’s Next,” will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD, on December 10-12, 2025.