Analysis of Environmental Screening and Mapping Tools: Illuminating Cumulative Impacts and Considerations for Rural Communities

Background: Environmental screening and mapping (ESM) tools can characterize the spatial distribution of environmental hazards and their effects, health status, and demographics of communities. For communities impacted by environmental injustices, ESM tools can play an important role in identifying areas facing cumulative impacts (CI). Methods: We identified 36 state and federal ESM tools to analyze. Map layers/indicators were organized by subcategories within nine broad categories. A framework was used to assess tools: number and variety of indicators and layers included; types of geospatial options available to view data; presence and type of qualitative data included; and type of methodology used for creating indices. Results: A total of 197 subcategories were identified. The most common subcategories used across tools were race/ethnicity ( n = 31), income/poverty ( n = 31), and designation for priority or EJ areas ( n = 29). Few tools included layers for structural racism, qualitative data, and those relevant to rural communities. Most tools ( n = 32) utilized composite measures or thresholds to identify impacted areas, often at the census tract level. Discussion: To ensure tools accurately reflect communities’ lived experiences, community engagement is essential. Tools should incorporate qualitative data, expand the use of indicators relevant to rural communities, offer differing geospatial units to view data, and incorporate measures of structural racism and inequity. While ESM tool indices can help identify impacted areas, limitations still exist. However, the use of ESM tools to address CI has great promise. Conclusion: Enhancing ESM tools for environmental decision making can support community-led and government actions to address CI and promote environmental justice.