An important component to the development of the Crows Landing airfield and surrounding farm land is currently under way. This is a crucial time for the public, especially residents on the West Side, to voice their opinions and concerns about the environmental impacts to our local area.

Whether supportive or opposed to the proposed West Park project, everyone’s voice should be heard so if the project is fully accepted by the county it is developed under guidelines that assure the safety and well-being of our communities.

The environmental impact report process begins with a 45-day public hearing period. It is meant for agencies, organizations and individuals to give their comments and concerns about how the project will impact the quality of life in the region and local areas in specific matters like air quality, health, water, wildlife, traffic, noise and such. The consultant group hired by the developer is responsible to answer all the concerns and determine if there is an issue how it will be solved or if it is possible to be solved at all.

Again, whether for or against the project, this is the time for each of us to put our two cents worth in, and make sure concerns we have are addressed appropriately.

One of the issues that comes forefront for me, especially of late, is air quality. The developer has stressed time and time again that the project will improve regional air quality. I don’t see how. Yes, it will take many trucks off the Altamont which will reduce air pollution for that section of the “region.” But, those same trucks would then be coming to the West Side, so the air pollution would be here instead, which wouldn’t improve our “local” air quality. Developer Gerry Kamilos says the trucks will use clean fuel technology, and yes all diesel trucks are under tighter restrictions these days due to the latest regulations set by the government and air quality board. So, by that thinking, if they are okay for us here, they should be okay for the Altamont as well.

I am not saying that there isn’t a need for re-routing the increasingly heavy truck traffic that is overtaking Interstate 5 and overloading the coastal ports in California, I just question the statement that re-routing them to the West Side will improve air quality.

We are in a valley which loves to hang onto whatever is floating in the air, evident of late with all the smoke from the surrounding fires. Those are at least 100 miles away and look how we get socked in with the smoke….we live in a valley, we don’t get the coastal breezes to clear the air each day. Looking at the unhealthy smoke filled air these past weeks it makes me wonder how our air will be when over 100,000 cars (which is the proposal) are traveling through the West Side, not to mention the emissions from the additional train trips.

The impacts of local air pollution and the health issues related to that are definitely something that needs to be determined and looked into as part of the environmental impact report for West Park.

Be first to comment this story

Comments
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Please increase the credibility of your post by including your full name and city when commenting. Although we are under no obligation to do so, we reserve the right to remove any comments we deem to be defamatory, libelous or otherwise inappropriate.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*