Removed federal links to equity

background.qmd

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Background
 
-In recent years, the United States government has made strides towards promoting equitable data and environmental justice, as reflected in documents released by the White House such as a [Vision for Equitable Data](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/eo13985-vision-for-equitable-data.pdf) (2021), a [fact sheet](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/02/14/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-releases-annual-agency-equity-action-plans-to-further-advance-racial-equity-and-support-for-underserved-communities-through-the-federal-government/) on the Federal Government's plans to advance racial equity (2024), and [The Environmental Justice Science, Data, and Research Plan](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NSTC-EJ-Research-Plan-July-2024.pdf) (2024). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has similarly provided guidance for [Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-11/ejtg_revision_110823_508compliant_0.pdf) and maintains a working list of resources for related to equity and water data at the [Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO) Database](https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/project/page/project_id/3611).
+In recent years, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has made strides towards promoting equitable data and provided guidance for [Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-11/ejtg_revision_110823_508compliant_0.pdf) and maintains a working list of resources for related to equity and water data at the [Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO) Database](https://hero.epa.gov/hero/index.cfm/project/page/project_id/3611).
 
-In alignment with national priorities, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) publicly acknowledged during its August 18, 2020 meeting that the historical effects of institutional racism must be confronted throughout government, and it directed staff to develop a priority plan of action (Aug 18, 2020 Meeting [Agenda](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/agendas/2020/aug/081820_5.pdf), [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/live/s40gVJnTwL8?si=RhNgp8dprtBQWhtF&t=15886)). The State Water Board’s Racial Equity Team held public and employee listening sessions to help develop a draft resolution. After a public comment period on the draft resolution in spring 2021, the Racial Equity Team made significant updates to the resolution. On November 16, 2021, the State Water Board adopted Resolution No. 2021-0050, “Condemning Racism, Xenophobia, Bigotry, and Racial Injustice and Strengthening Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Anti-Racism" (Racial Equity Resolution; [English](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_decisions/adopted_orders/resolutions/2021/rs2021_0050.pdf), [Español](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_decisions/adopted_orders/resolutions/2021/rs2021_0050_sp.pdf)) which affirms the State Water Board’s commitment to racial equity and directs staff to undertake a variety of actions to achieve racial equity throughout all State Water Board programs and activities (Nov 16, 2021 Meeting [Agenda](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/agendas/2021/nov/111621_5.pdf), [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/live/CK1zde9xCvs?si=BUr-qAGlbzMY2zti&t=8721)).
+In alignment these priorities, the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) publicly acknowledged during its August 18, 2020 meeting that the historical effects of institutional racism must be confronted throughout government, and it directed staff to develop a priority plan of action (Aug 18, 2020 Meeting [Agenda](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/agendas/2020/aug/081820_5.pdf), [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/live/s40gVJnTwL8?si=RhNgp8dprtBQWhtF&t=15886)). The State Water Board’s Racial Equity Team held public and employee listening sessions to help develop a draft resolution. After a public comment period on the draft resolution in spring 2021, the Racial Equity Team made significant updates to the resolution. On November 16, 2021, the State Water Board adopted Resolution No. 2021-0050, “Condemning Racism, Xenophobia, Bigotry, and Racial Injustice and Strengthening Commitment to Racial Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Anti-Racism" (Racial Equity Resolution; [English](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_decisions/adopted_orders/resolutions/2021/rs2021_0050.pdf), [Español](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_decisions/adopted_orders/resolutions/2021/rs2021_0050_sp.pdf)) which affirms the State Water Board’s commitment to racial equity and directs staff to undertake a variety of actions to achieve racial equity throughout all State Water Board programs and activities (Nov 16, 2021 Meeting [Agenda](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_info/agendas/2021/nov/111621_5.pdf), [Recording](https://www.youtube.com/live/CK1zde9xCvs?si=BUr-qAGlbzMY2zti&t=8721)).
 
 The Racial Equity Resolution is one milestone on our ongoing journey to operationalize equity throughout our organization. The next step is to implement the Racial Equity Action Plan (2023-2025; [English](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/racial_equity/docs/racial-equity-action-plan-final-en.pdf), [Español](https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/racial_equity/docs/racial-equity-action-plan-final-sp.pdf)), which includes specific actions the State Water Board will take to address racial inequities, as well as metrics to measure our progress. With this Action Plan, we envision a sustainable California where race no longer predicts where clean water is available or who has access to it.