Commuter Rail Extension Alternatives Analysis - Transportation ...

CALTRAIN EXTENSION TO MONTEREY COUNTY PASSENGER RAIL STATIONSALTERNATIVES ANALYSISENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICEUnder Executive Order 12898, effective February 1994, consideration of environmental justiceinvolves an examination of income and ethnicity patterns in relation to the environmental impacts ofplanning and development decisions to determine whether governmental actions createunreasonable biases that disadvantage low-income and/or minority residents or provide advantagesto higher-income or non-minority residents.Racial and Ethnic PopulationsMonterey CountyThe communities of Pajaro and Castroville are unincorporated areas of Monterey County. Accordingto the findings of the 2000 U.S. Census, approximately 47 percent of Monterey County’s population(unincorporated and incorporated areas) was identified as being of Hispanic/Latino background. Ofthe total 401,762 persons reported in the 2000 U.S. Census data for Monterey County, 187,969identified themselves as of Hispanic/Latino background and the remaining 213,793 persons wereidentified as non-Hispanic/Latino (Monterey County, 2003).SalinasBased on the 2000 U.S. Census, the city’s population is 64 percent Hispanic, 45 percent Caucasian,6 percent Asian, 3 percent African-American, and 1 percent Native American.Figure 5-11 illustrates the distribution of population and race by census block group relative to theCaltrain Extension Alternative and Express Bus Alternative station sites. The graphic illustratesrelatively high concentrations of racial and ethnic populations that would be served by the proposedinvestments.Income LevelsMonterey CountyThe 2000 U.S. Census data reports median income for the calendar year 1999. According to thatdata, the median household income for Monterey County was $48,305 annually. The informationbelow compares Monterey County’s median household income with that of neighboring counties andthe state (Monterey County, 2003).Geographic Area 1999 Median Household IncomeMonterey County $48,305Santa Cruz County $53,998San Luis Obispo County $42,428Santa Clara County $74,335State of California $47,493Source: U.S. Census, 2000645188AA-096parsons CHAPTER 5: ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS 132