Environment

Vandenberg’s statement

on the Orange County 241 Toll Road extension

UNITED STATES CONGRESS - REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 44

LOUIS VANDENBERG (D) **

I firmly oppose this proposed 241 toll road extension. It does not stand the test of the principles which define good public policy. It does not serve authentic public good and is more directed towards the facilitation of private profit. It fails the test environmentally, and in the preservation of historic, aesthetic and quality-of-life values. It violates the purpose and trust in the dedication of a public park. Certainly, there are issues of traffic congestion. But area congestion could and should be addressed by other more creative means. Ultimately, this 241 toll-road extension proposal, unfortunately, comes too close to being a Southern California equivalent to what some describe as putting a freeway through Yosemite. I must say no to the toll road extension.

----------------------------------------------

The Bush Administration has shown nothing but contempt for the environment and has sought to repeatedly undermine this nation's environmental laws during the past three and a half years. Air pollution regulations have been weakened, drinking water standards have been lowered and protections on pristine public lands have been compromised, all for the sake of short-term corporate benefit.

The Inland Empire is a prime example of a region that has borne the brunt of the Bush Administration's campaign to cripple environmental laws. This past April, the Environmental Protection Agency declared that western Riverside County had the worst smog problem in the nation. In a separate survey, the American Lung Association ranked the Inland Empire at the top for both ozone and particulate matter pollution. Despite the array of documented evidence that indicates that these types air pollution are injurious to human heath and the environment, the Bush Administration and the Republican controlled Congress have done nothing to bolster this nation's air quality laws.

To Louis Vandenberg, the decided lack of local leadership on cleaning up this region's air is shameful. There is little question that the residents of the Inland Empire want cleaner air and expect the Federal Government to make a better effort in funding and enforcing this nation's air pollution laws. It's clear that these types of environmental issues have been ignored in Washington and Louis says it's high time for a local leader to take the initiative on the matter of cleaning up the air and produce results.

VANDENBERG FOR CONGRESS Louis Vandenberg - Democrat California's 44th Congressional District Encompassing western Riverside County and southern Orange County "Restoring Balance to American Politics”

Environment Vandenberg’s statement on the Orange County 241 Toll Road extension UNITED STATES CONGRESS - REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 44 LOUIS VANDENBERG (D) ** I firmly oppose this proposed 241 toll road extension. It does not stand the test of the principles which define good public policy. It does not serve authentic public good and is more directed towards the facilitation of private profit. It fails the test environmentally, and in the preservation of historic, aesthetic and quality-of-life values. It violates the purpose and trust in the dedication of a public park. Certainly, there are issues of traffic congestion. But area congestion could and should be addressed by other more creative means. Ultimately, this 241 toll-road extension proposal, unfortunately, comes too close to being a Southern California equivalent to what some describe as putting a freeway through Yosemite. I must say no to the toll road extension. ---------------------------------------------- The Bush Administration has shown nothing but contempt for the environment and has sought to repeatedly undermine this nation's environmental laws during the past three and a half years. Air pollution regulations have been weakened, drinking water standards have been lowered and protections on pristine public lands have been compromised, all for the sake of short-term corporate benefit. The Inland Empire is a prime example of a region that has borne the brunt of the Bush Administration's campaign to cripple environmental laws. This past April, the Environmental Protection Agency declared that western Riverside County had the worst smog problem in the nation. In a separate survey, the American Lung Association ranked the Inland Empire at the top for both ozone and particulate matter pollution. Despite the array of documented evidence that indicates that these types air pollution are injurious to human heath and the environment, the Bush Administration and the Republican controlled Congress have done nothing to bolster this nation's air quality laws. To Louis Vandenberg, the decided lack of local leadership on cleaning up this region's air is shameful. There is little question that the residents of the Inland Empire want cleaner air and expect the Federal Government to make a better effort in funding and enforcing this nation's air pollution laws. It's clear that these types of environmental issues have been ignored in Washington and Louis says it's high time for a local leader to take the initiative on the matter of cleaning up the air and produce results.