BILL ANALYSIS �
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 811|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 811
Author: Lara (D)
Amended: 5/28/13
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 8-0, 4/30/13
AYES: DeSaulnier, Beall, Galgiani, Hueso, Lara, Liu, Pavley,
Roth
NO VOTE RECORDED: Gaines, Cannella, Wyland
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : 5-2, 5/23/13
AYES: De Le�n, Hill, Lara, Padilla, Steinberg
NOES: Walters, Gaines
SUBJECT : I-710 Long Beach Freeway: environmental mitigation
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill (1) requires the Department of
Transportation (Caltrans), or another agency if it agrees to
assume responsibility as the lead agency for State Highway Route
710 (I-710) expansion project, consider alternatives to address
air quality, public health, and mobility impacts the project
will have on neighboring communities; and (2) requires the final
environmental document for the I-710 expansion project to
include an investment in mitigation measures for the affected
communities and the Los Angeles River.
ANALYSIS : Existing law restricts the Legislature from
enacting statutes for the construction or funding of specific
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individual transportation projects. Instead, existing law
creates the California Transportation Commission (CTC) that,
among other things, facilitates a process that results in the
orderly funding and construction of transportation projects
across the state.
Through this statutory process, the CTC biennially adopts a
five-year state transportation capital outlay program called the
State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP
process begins with the development of a multi-year estimate of
all available state and federal transportation funds. Then the
CTC, based on the recommendations of the regional transportation
agencies and Caltrans, adopts a program of projects that forms
the basis for scheduling the expenditure of all available funds
during those years. The STIP process endeavors to make
investments in the state system that reflect local and state
priorities while ensuring future funding will be available to
complete these projects.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires lead
agencies, such as Caltrans, to prepare an environmental impact
report (EIR) for each project it undertakes, unless the project
is exempt from CEQA requirements. The lead agency must develop
the EIR before it can move forward with a project, which is done
through an iterative public engagement process. Generally, an
EIR describes the proposed project, evaluates a range of
reasonable alternatives to the project, identifies and analyzes
all expected significant environmental impacts, and determines
feasible mitigation measures to reduce those impacts. At the
end of the process, the lead agency formally approves the
environmental review. The public has an opportunity to
challenge an EIR in court if it feels the process was inadequate
or the lead agency did not consider appropriate alternatives.
In this way, CEQA is intended to ensure better environmental
outcomes than otherwise would occur through project development.
The Long Beach Freeway (I-710) is a vital transportation artery,
linking the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to Southern
California and beyond. An essential component of the regional,
statewide, and national transportation system, it serves both
passenger and goods movement traffic. As a result of Southern
California population growth, increased trade through the ports,
and aging infrastructure, the I-710 experiences serious
congestion and safety issues. Caltrans, Los Angeles County
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Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and other regional
partners are preparing an EIR to analyze the range of possible
improvement alternatives to the I-710 corridor. The project
study area extends from the ports to the Pomona Freeway, a
distance of 18 miles, and encompasses 15 cities and
unincorporated areas adjacent to the freeway.
According to Caltrans, the I-710 project will likely cost
between $3 billion and $5 billion and consider it a prime
candidate for a public-private partnership that may include
tolling. While still in the beginning stages of the
environmental review process, Caltrans expects a draft EIR in 12
to 18 months with the approval of a final environmental document
at least four or five years away.
This bill:
1. Requires the final environmental document approved by
Caltrans, or another lead agency if the agency agrees to
assume responsibility as the lead agency for the I-710
project, to include an investment in mitigation measures for
the affected communities and the Los Angeles River.
2. Require Caltrans, or the lead agency, to consult with
interested community organizations and consider alternatives
to address the air quality, public health, and mobility
impacts the project will have on neighboring communities.
3. Requires Caltrans, or the lead agency, to submit a report to
the Legislature at least 90 days prior to release of the
final environmental document that describes the identified
mitigation measures.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local:
No
According to the Senate Appropriations Committee:
Estimated increased project costs, potentially in the range
of $250 million, for increased mitigation investments in the
I-710 corridor beyond what would otherwise be provided (State
Highway Account, Bond Funds).
Minor costs to Caltrans to report to the Legislature on the
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identified mitigation measures to be included in the I-710
expansion project.
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/23/13)
American Lung Association in California
Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council
Building Healthy Communities, Long Beach Steering Committee
City of Commerce
City of Long Beach, Council District 9
Coalition for Clean Air
Communities for a Better Environment
Community Health Councils
East Los Angeles Community Corporation
East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice
EndOil
Gage Middle School
Greater Pasadena Jews for Justice
InnerCity Struggle
Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma
Natural Resources Defense Council
Planning and Conservation League
Ruckus Society
Trust for Public Land
JA:k 5/28/13 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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