CGF: Take Action: Speak up for environmentally sound high-speed rail routes

Speak up for environmentally sound high-speed rail routes
Posted August 17, 2004 / Updated August 17, 2004

The state has been considering routes for a proposed high-speed rail system that would connect the Bay Area with Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the draft environmental impact report (DEIR) for this project fails to consider all of the potential routes, nor does it address the significant and permanent negative environmental consequences of some of the routes that are considered.

California cannot make an environmentally sound decision on this project without a solid DEIR that fully analyzes all of the options.

Please take a minute to write to the High-Speed Rail Authority and ask them to circulate a revised DEIR that considers all of the potential routes and their impacts.

What's happening
While such a statewide rail system could bring numerous benefits, including fast, clean transportation, all of the proposed routes pose the risk of serious environmental impacts.

CGF has not yet endorsed any of the potential routes for the high-speed rail. Before we do so, we have to consider all of the environmental costs of each of the proposed routes. While the draft environmental impact report for the rail line is required to analyze all feasible alternatives, it does not do so. In particular, the DEIR does not analyze a proposed route that would run through Altamont Pass; additionally, its analysis of some of the other routes is incomplete and misleading.

What's next
The Authority is accepting comments on the Draft EIR until August 31, 2004. It's important for us to let the Authority know that Bay Area residents want to see a full analysis of our options so that we can make the best decision about which route to support.

What you can do

1. Speak up now!
Write to the High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors and ask them to revise and recirculate the DEIR so that it fully considers all of the environmental impacts of all of the possible routes for the high-speed rail, including full consideration of the Altamont Pass Alternative.

Send your comments to:
   California High-Speed Rail Authority
   Draft Program EIR/EIS Comments
   925 L Street, Suite 1425
   Sacramento, CA 95814

   Fax: (916) 322-0827

Letters must be received by Tuesday, August 31.

As always, please send a copy to us so we can track the efficacy of our work: Fax (650) 968-8431 or info@GreenFoothills.org.

2. Learn more...
For more information, you can read a summary of the DEIR here.

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3. Support Committee for Green Foothills.
Become a CGF member or make a donation.


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