The PCL Insider: News From The Capitol

ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION MEASURE WINS STRONG SUPPORT FROM ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY

Yesterday, the Board of Directors of the Orange County Transportation Authority voted unanimously to approve an $11.8 billion dollar transportation measure.  The Measure would be funded through the continuation of the existing local one-half cent sales tax for thirty years from 2011 to 2041.  And guess what? We applaud them.

Unlike many transportation funding proposals, Orange County's "Renewed Measure M Transportation Investment Plan" does not include funding for the worst sorts of sprawl-inducing highway projects; instead it focuses on highway upgrades, maintenance of existing roadways, and a healthy dose of transit.

Most importantly, at the request of numerous environmental and community based organizations, the Transportation Authority incorporated a suite of innovative environmental mitigations, context-sensitive design requirements and a water quality program.  The comprehensive mitigation package will alleviate the habitat impacts for future transportation projects and will total approximately $244 million.  The funding includes the permanent preservation of areas of high ecological value through acquisition, restoration, and management.  The funds will also be front-loaded, allowing for the purchase of threatened properties, which concurrently mitigate the freeway projects.  

In recognition of the Measure's many environmental benefits, PCL joined with twenty-six other organizations, including the California Oaks Foundation, Laguna Greenbelt Inc., Latino Health Access, Orange County Interfaith Coalition for the Environment, and The Trust for Public Land in publicly expressing our strong support.

Now that the Transportation Authority has given its blessing, the Orange County Board of Supervisors will vote later today on whether to include the measure on the November 7th ballot.  We’ll keep you posted.