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Community-Led Environmental Actions in Central Canal Area
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Looking at 'redlining' maps serves as a modern indicator of environmental challenges facing Indianapolis neighborhoods. From air and water pollution to contamination of soils to fewer carbon-trapping trees, one area that was redlined in the past is using that information to develop the Community-Led Environmental Action Plan (C-LEAP) in Near Northwest neighborhoods along Central Canal waterway, including the Riverside neighborhood. Redlining, as defined by the Fair Housing Act, is the practice of denying a creditworthy applicant a loan for housing in a certain neighborhood even though the applicant may have otherwise been eligible for the loan. The term refers to the practice of mortgage lenders drawing red lines around portions of a map to indicate areas or neighborhoods in which they do not want to make loans, and was historically done on a racial basis and is illegal and discriminatory.
C-LEAP emerged in 2018 by local groups Groundwork Indy (GWI), The Learning Tree (TLT), and ROW's Central Canal Waterway Committee, with community members, to raise awareness around and think about solutions to a variety of environmental justice challenges that face residents, and especially the elderly, children, and other vulnerable neighbors. Initially, small efforts were undertaken - a Community Fishing Day was held to celebrate those who fish, to teach about fishing, and to educate about water pollution that impacts whether fish from local waterways are safe to eat. Additional efforts around water quality, water safety, and stormwater runoff pollution were also targeted as opportunities for the future, as were air quality, soil, and brownfields/vacant properties issues.
GWI pursued grants on behalf of the group to develop a holistic approach to identifying, prioritizing, and addressing neighborhood concerns. Central Indiana Community Foundation provided support for community outreach and engagement, which is starting with holding six, small-group porch parties to engage more community members and to begin funding some action items A US Environmental Protection Agency grant soon followed to allow that input to inform a technical assistance and action plan.
There was a growing awareness and concern over the lead contamination of drinking water because of the lead pipes that were used to convey water to homes built before 1986. Working alongside the IUPUI Anthropocene Housing Project to test tap water homes with home test kits, the community is employing 'citizen science' to put information into the hands of those who are most impact - the homeowner or renter. About 70 home test kits have been distributed by GWI and are being collected in Indy's Near Northwest. But, replacing lead pipes is expensive and presents a barrier for many in the community to solving the problem.
"One goal of the Community-Led Environmental Action Plan is to find affordable, short-term solutions to problems the community identifies," said Phyllis Boyd, executive director of Groundwork Indy. "We are working to build capacity in the community, having folks who are interested in plugging in on these issues and putting the priorities and the solutions into the hands of the residents."
Because lead is so toxic and can lead to learning disabilities and other health problems for children especially, the C-LEAP wanted to offer early action solutions. To purchase end-of-pipe, faucet-mounted lead removal filters, ROW's Central Canal Committee has secured funding from Central Indiana-based NuGenesis Environmental Services, Inc. The company has committed to providing $19,000 over the coming year to bring immediate resolution to the lead in drinking water problem facing residents.
 Dozens of Near Northwest residents are helping identify solutions to environmental issues created from historical, racially-driven policies in lending, investment, and development. Today, residents can engage at porch parties or look for a community summit later this year to create long-term solutions led by the community.
To learn more or get engaged with this important community-led effort, contact Boyd at phyllis@groundworkindy.org or 317-737-2810. To learn more about ROW's Central Canal Waterway Committee or other waterway efforts, contact info@ourwaterways.org.
Photos, top, Phyllis Boyd, executive director of Groundwork Indy, shares community environmental health data with neighbors at a Near NW Porch Party, bottom: Near NW Resident Tysha Ahmad (center) hosts a neighborhood Porch Party in Riverside Community.
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Pleasant Run Trail
