A major step in gaining access to justice is understanding the substantive and procedural issues associated with matter at hand. One of the seminal efforts of the Committee on Access to Justice (CAJ) has been the preparation of educational documents on environmental and land use matters that may affect the poor.

     Over the past quarter, the CAJ has undertaken measures to update and strengthen this service. In particular, the CAJ prepared a survey that seeks information on the following:

     Topics of interest (e.g., environmental laws, drinking water, surface water, air pollution, pesticides, industrial facilities, land use)
Format and content of currently available brochures

Distribution of brochures

     The CAJ disseminated this survey to 57 Legal Services offices that represent the poor on a variety of issues. In order to insure an adequate response rate, the CAJ personally contacted the offices, explaining the purpose and value of the survey.

     The CAJ received responses from 29 offices. Important information has been obtained on topics for future educational brochures, mechanisms to ensure better distribution of the documents and improvements in content.

      Issues of interest include state and local government environmental laws, private drinking water wells, drinking water standards, drinking and surface water quality, least toxic pesticide use, pesticides and children, brownfields revitalization, superfund sites, lead, mercury, dioxin, air pollution, incinerators, fish consumption, and flooding.

     Following the completion of the survey, the CAJ will undertake a major campaign to secure the assistance of lawyers to help prepare the brochures. Participation in this activity qualifies for credit in response to the Supreme Court of Florida aspirational pro bono goal.