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Thank you for making this very convenient forum available for
public comment on the Draft Scoping Plan.

Transportation accounts for about 40% of greenhouse gas emissions
in California (here in the Bay Area, about 50%). In order to
reduce the contributions of transportation to greenhouse gas
emissions, it is critical that aggressive programs be implemented
that will reduce vehicle miles traveled. VMT in California is
projected to increase about 36% by the year 2020, about 49% by the
year 2025, and about 63% by the year 2030. (Source: Caltrans,
2008.)

Projected increases in VMT outpace projected population increases
(which is a roughly one-third increase by 2025). This is partially
explained by development of residential subdivisions that generate
long driving commutes because they are distant from transit and
employment centers. This Draft Scoping Plan gives lip service to
land use, but it does not appear to recognize the importance of a
strong commitment to smart land use, in conjunction with a strong
opposition to counterproductive land use (sprawl, exurban/rural
developments). A high degree of emphasis must be placed on
strategic land use and high density of both homes and jobs within
walking distance of transit nodes, with highest densities within
1/2 mile (or about ten minutes walking) of the transit station.
Failure to do so up until now explains why California traffic
patterns are as dysfunctional as they are, and correcting that
will require adoption of smart strategies and a moratorium on the
detrimental style of development in which California has indulged
to date. Land use discussion should include:

1. A strong set of design principles, including, e.g.
limited/smart parking, should be articulated for compact
development near transit hubs, in order to activate streets,
discourage driving, and promote walking/cycling. 
2. Joint analysis of housing and transportation in local
jurisdictions should be carried out seriously for redevelopment
and zoning plans.
3. Funding should be directly tied to the extent to which local
jurisdictions have complied with the implementation of plans to
place higher densities and mixed uses near transit, in accordance
with the design principles.
4. Please see, e.g. Greenbelt Alliance, which has developed a
clearly delineated list of design criteria that must be satisfied
before it furnishes a new development project with its endorsement
(URL = http://greenbelt.org/whatwedo/prog_cdt_index.html).