Comment Log Display

LandWatch Monterey County appreciates the opportunity to provide
comments on the Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan.  LandWatch is
dedicated to preserving Monterey County’s economic vitality, high
agricultural productivity, and the health of our environment by
encouraging greater public participation in planning. Our comments
follow:

Land Use

Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) is projected to increase by 66%
between 2006 and 2030 (“2007 California Motor Vehicle Stock,
Travel, Fuel Forecasts”, Caltrans, May 2008).  This increase is
significantly greater than forecasts for population growth during
the same period of 32%.  Travel growth is related to greater car
ownership, increased trip-making and longer commutes.  All these
issues are fundamentally related to land use and urban sprawl.

Reducing travel would be addressed by Local Government Actions and
Regional GHG Targets.  It is estimated that this voluntary measure
would reduce emissions by 2 MMTCO2E or 1% of the total recommended
reductions.  The Scoping Plan should assign more emission
reductions to this sector.  Additionally, emission reduction
targets should be enforceable through regional planning efforts or
indirect source review rules that are legally enforceable through
air pollution control districts.

The Scoping Plan should also include greater funding from State
transportation funds for public transit and other forms of
alternative transportation.  Transit funding from government funds
 has continually declined throughout the years - a trend that needs
to be reversed if California is to reduce single occupancy travel
and reduce GHG emissions.

Sustainable Forests

The Sustainable Forests measure shows a 5 MMTCO2E reduction. 
Emissions reductions are to be achieved through such measures as
forest management and protecting forest land using the CEQA
process.   Regarding the latter, the Plan should require
amendments to CEQA Guidelines to require offsets when forest lands
are replaced by emission increasing activities, i.e., development.


Agriculture

Emission reductions for agriculture are voluntary.  Increased
water efficiency, greater reliance on organic farming and reduced
use of petroleum based pesticides and fertilizers are areas that
should be addressed by the agricultural sector.   Additionally,
enforceable emission reductions should be required of this
sector.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Plan.