Because of Judge Barry Goode’s decision, the project now requires a new environmental-impact assessment before the port and BNSF can continue with its development.
A statement BNSF sent to the Signal Tribune the day after the ruling indicated that the railway company is still reading the “lengthy” ruling, but, upon initial review, its officials are disappointed because “the decision appears to delay a nationally and regionally significant transportation infrastructure project.”
“The Port of Los Angeles spent eight years carefully assessing environmental impacts through a draft environmental impact report (EIR), recirculated draft EIR and a final EIR that was certified by the Board of Harbor Commissioners in March 2013,” the BNSF statement reads. “The Los Angeles City Council reviewed seven appeals of the Board’s decision and affirmed the decision by certifying the EIR and approving the project and a 50-year lease in May 2013. The analysis clearly found that if SCIG is not built, air pollution and traffic in adjacent neighborhoods will actually be worse.”
The statement further explains that BNSF has worked to move the project forward for more than a decade and is ready to invest more than $500 million in private funds to develop a facility that will greatly improve air quality for those nearby and throughout the region, create thousands of construction and permanent jobs, reduce traffic in local neighborhoods and on the 710 Freeway and support the national and global competitiveness of both the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach.
The latter port issued a press release Wednesday applauding the ruling. It stated that the SCIG project directly impacts the residents and businesses of west Long Beach and, since the beginning, the Port of Long Beach has believed more should be done to mitigate the effects of the undertaking on the west side.
“The port’s Green Port Policy was enacted over 10 years ago because we want to be a good neighbor,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Lori Ann Guzmán. “The Harbor Commission thanks Mayor Robert Garcia and former Mayor Bob Foster for their leadership on such an important community issue. We will continue our joint efforts to mitigate the Port’s impacts to the west side and city as a whole.”
The Port of Long Beach press release further stated the port is currently working on a number of programs on the west side to enhance quality of life and buffer residents from the impacts of goods movement, including the Westside Livability Plan. The port is also investing in projects to move cargo in a more efficient, environmentally sustainable way, port officials said.
“We support on-dock and near-dock rail projects because these projects take trucks off the roads, relieve congestion and protect the environment,” said CEO Jon Slangerup. “Now, with the resolution of this issue behind us, the port can continue to focus on its $4-billion capital improvement program while building the Green Port of the Future.”
Councilmember Roberto Uranga, who represents the 7th District, which includes the affected area, called the decision a a significant victory for the City of Long Beach and its partners in the lawsuit.
“My constituents and I, especially those that live in west Long Beach, can breathe a little easier now,” Uranga said. “As the representative of the district most impacted by port-related transportation and emissions, I stand with my residents and the organizations that joined the City in the suit in thanking Judge Goode for his ruling. Although our work is not done, we can now celebrate your hard work.”
Uranga said that, most importantly, the ruling is a victory for the children who call west Long Beach home.
Indeed, the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), which is responsible for nearly 81,000 students in 84 public schools, called the judge’s decision “good news for people who work and play near the proposed project area.”
“The court agreed with our school district that the approval of the SCIG project should be set aside due to noncompliance with the California Environmental Quality Act during the environmental impact report certification process,” said Chris Eftychiou, LBUSD spokesman. “We simply could not support a project that posed a health risk to our students and staff. Our school district’s primary goal is to provide a safe learning environment. We were pleased with the careful attention the judge paid to the potential health effects on students, staff and residents who live near the proposed project area.”
Shortly after Goode’s decision was announced, Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia called it a “huge win” for the city, particularly westside residents.
“The health of our children and the protection of our environment have been at the forefront of our concerns,” Garcia said. “My thanks to my predecessor, Mayor Bob Foster, for fighting to protect our residents and to City Attorney Charlie Parkin, Assistant City Attorney Mike Mais and our entire legal team for this historic win for our west Long Beach neighborhoods.”
