This data layer defines the boundaries for all census tracts that qualify as CalEPA SB 535 Disadvantaged Communities, primarily based on CalEnviroScreen scores. CalEPA designates four categories of geographic areas as disadvantaged:
- Census tracts receiving the highest 25 percent of overall scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 (1,984 tracts statewide).
- Census tracts lacking overall scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 due to data gaps, but receiving the highest 5 percent of CalEnviroScreen 4.0 cumulative pollution burden scores (19 tracts statewide).
- Census tracts identified in the 2017 DAC designation as disadvantaged, regardless of their scores in CalEnviroScreen 4.0 (307 tracts statewide).
- Lands under the control of federally recognized Tribes.
The data is derived from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.