Comment Log Display

Dear Ms. Nichols:

On behalf of the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America-
California Chapter (AAFA-CA), we would first like to commend CARB
for their efforts in reducing harmful emissions.  We represent the
4.5 million Californians that have been diagnosed with asthma and
are thus, very concerned about the Proposition 1B Goods Movement
Emission Reduction Program funding guidelines that are scheduled
for adoption on February 28th, 2008 at your Board meeting.  We
understand that these guidelines will determine the share of
funding received by each trade corridor region in the state.  

AAFA-CA represents the entire state, however, we would like to
ensure that the region which has the largest population of
Californians exposed to the most unhealthy air in the nation,
receives its fair share of the $1 Billion approved by voters to
mitigate air quality impacts.  

The CARB staff has proposed that 55% of the total amount of $1
billion Proposition 1B funds for air quality mitigation be
allocated to the Los Angeles/Inland Empire transportation
corridor.  Air pollution has repeatedly caused both Los Angeles
and the Inland Empire to be at, or near, the bottom of many air
quality ratings.  In 2004, the EPA rated the San
Bernardino-Riverside area as having the worst particulate air
pollution in the United States.  The allocations of funds for this
region should be based on the severity of air pollution and the
number of people impacted, or in technical terms, population
weighted exposure to criteria air pollutants above federal
standards for Particulate matter (PM 2.5) and Ozone.  Furthermore,
as shown in the attachment, detailed analysis of the PM2.5 and
8-hour ozone exposure for the South Coast air basin shows that
this region bears a full 89% of the population weighted
incremental PM2.5 exposure above federal annual standard on a
statewide basis.  For 8-hour ozone exposure above the federal
standard this figure is 74% on a statewide basis.  

Based on this information, we believe that up to 80% of the Prop
1B funds should be allocated to Southern California in order to
meet the air quality needs of the people living here.  Any
allocation lower than the originally proposed 55% to the Los
Angeles/ Inland Empire region would not be fair to the people
living in this region.  We appreciate your attention to this
important issue and urge your Board to provide equitable funding
to mitigate air quality impacts for Southern California
residents.

Sincerely,

Francene Lifson, Executive Director
Representing Volunteers and Staff


Attachment