On this page, you will find a variety of tools and resources for the analyst. These can help you write either a social or environmental justice analysis as part of an environmental document for a project.
WSDOT Tools
We have a variety of analysis tools. Check under both the Social and environmental justice FAQs in the sections "for the analyst". If you need help on limited English proficient populations review the page under that title. The links to those pages are on the left side of this page.
The GIS Workbench is an internal DOT tool to help staff map a variety of environmental data, including census data. Unfortunately, we currently cannot make it available outside of our agency. However, there are similar tools available elsewhere which a web search can locate.
Census Data Engine was developed to help extract information from Census data. If you are working on a WSDOT task, e-mail Elizabeth Lanzer for assistance in extracting data for mapping. This assistance is available to our consultants as well as our regional staff.
Demographic and Economic Tools
U. S. Census Data Census data is the main data source for demographic analyses. WSDOT staff also have available for use the Census Data Engine and the Environmental Workbench, which can be found on the WSDOT Intranet.
American Fact Finder is one of the US Census Bureau sites and a little easier to use to obtain census data.
Poverty Guidelines This site gives guidelines and thresholds for the latest poverty levels. These guidelines are updated at the beginning of each year. Make sure you are using the latest guidelines.
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) maintains a variety of types of information such as population and economy that are specific to Washington State.
Employment Security's Labor Management and Economic analysis site maintains helpful economic information. City, county, and planning organization sites also have local economic information.
The Census sites can be a challenge to use. We recommend using Summary file 3 data at the block group level. Please contact us if you need assistance.
Language Resources
Information on resources in this area can be found on the limited English proficiency web page.
Public Involvement Resources
You can find more information on outreach in our Social FAQs.
Additional public involvement resources can be found at the following sites:
Other Resources and Information
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates protection for people with disabilities. Demographics on disabled persons should be included in a social effects report. The data may be useful for an environmental justice report as well.
Tribal Impacts - Your EJ analysis needs to consider any effects on American Indians as a minority population. Tribes also need to be consulted with in a cooperative process on a government to government basis.
Although Cultural Resources are generally studied separately, the analyst should be aware of any cultural resources identified and their relationship to any minority or low-income populations.