Fighting for Land & Water Access in Chicago

Feb 9

Written By CLCCRUL

Like many communities around the country, Chicago’s Black and Brown neighborhoods have long raised the alarm about the environmental injustices and disparities they face. One tool to fight for greater environmental justice is urban agriculture, which makes use of vacant land by providing fresh food to the neighborhood and facilitating job training and educational opportunities. Urban agriculture is a promising tool that can create sustainable economic opportunities for communities of color that have faced decades of disinvestment.

In order to better support growers, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights has partnered with Advocates for Urban Agriculture to create a survey for urban growers to share their most pressing needs. By better understanding the needs of urban growers, specifically those related to business/market development, water access, and land access, we can ensure that programmatic and technical efforts continue to effectively assist them.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Chicago Lawyers’ Committee is also assisting urban growers in the City of Chicago navigating the 2021 Hydrant Use Permit application process, as well as those facing other land and water access issues.

In preparation for the upcoming growing season, a 2021 Hydrant permit program is being developed by the City of Chicago’s Department of Water Management, with cooperation and input from Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA), NeighborSpace (NBSP), the Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC), and others.

For information and technical assistance in navigating the 2021 requirements, please use the resources below.

Water Access Application: