Environmental Justice Assessment + HEAL Act Compliance for Southworth Ferry Terminal Upgrades

Washington State Ferries

Project Overview

Broadview Planning, in partnership with WSP, is conducting an environmental justice assessment and HEAL Act compliance review for the Southworth Ferry Terminal. Located on the Kitsap Peninsula, the Southworth terminal is a critical link in Washington State's ferry network, connecting communities to employment, healthcare, and essential services throughout the Puget Sound Region. This work helps ensure its planning and design reflect the state's commitment to equitable, community-centered access to transportation.

The assessment evaluates potential disparate impacts on overburdened communities, and vulnerable populations as defined under Washington's Health Environment for All (HEAL) Act. Through rigorous data analysis, evaluating community engagement, and policy review, the BvP team is identifying gaps, opportunities, and actionable recommendations that center the needs of those most affected by infrastructure decisions.

While standard geography-based screening tools do not identify the project area as overburdened, direct analysis of the rider population reveals substantial numbers of people who meet HEAL Act definitions of vulnerable populations, including low-income riders, older adults, people with disabilities, and those with no viable alternative to ferry service.

The discrepancy between geography-based screening results and rider-based demographic findings is itself a significant finding of this work: a complete environmental justice assessment requires pairing place-based screening tools with direct analysis of the people who use and depend on the infrastructure.

This work supports Washington State Ferries in meeting HEAL act and legal compliance requirements, as well as the broader goal of building a transportation system that works for everyone — regardless of race, income, or zip code.

Services

Quantitative Data Analysis, GIS Mapping, Policy Review, Technical Writing + Editing

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