Re: Opposition of the Southern California International Gateway project (Council File )

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Oliver Terry
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3 Coalition for a Safe Environment Coalition for Clean Air End Oil/Communities for Clean Ports East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization Natural Resources Defense Council West Long Beach Association 'Aikona AAPI Long Beach Roundtable Action Now Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council Environmental Justice Task Force Building Healthy Communities Long Beach California Communities Against Toxics California Safe Schools Carson Bethel Church Catalyst Network of Communities Crestmore Citizens for Action CSULB - Environmental Science & Policy Club East LA Community Corporation Fountain of Life Covenant Church Family Center The Greener Good Farmers Markets Jasmar Group Pacifika Voice Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles Second Samoan Congregational Church of Long Beach Society for Positive Action Via Electronic Mail May 6, 2013 The Honorable Herb Wesson President, Los Angeles City Council 200 N Spring Street, Room 430 Los Angeles, CA Re: Opposition of the Southern California International Gateway project (Council File ) Dear Council President Wesson, This letter is written on behalf of the Coalition for a Safe Environment, Coalition for Clean Air, End Oil/Communities for Clean Ports, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization, Natural Resources Defense Council, West Long Beach Association, AAPI Long Beach Roundtable, 'Aikona, Action Now, Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council Environmental Justice Task Force, Building Healthy Communities Long Beach, California Communities Against Toxics, California Safe Schools, Carson Bethel Church, Catalyst Network of Communities, Crestmore Citizens for Action, CSULB Environmental Science & Policy Club, East LA Community Corporation, Fountain of Life Covenant Church Family Center, Greener Good Farmers Markets, Jasmar Group, Pacifika Voice, Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles, Second Samoan Congregational Church of Long Beach and Society for Positive Action. We are writing to voice our strong opposition to the Southern California International Gateway (SCIG) project and to urge you not to approve the Final Environmental Impact Report for this project. The proposed location of the SCIG project already suffers from

4 Re: Opposition of the Southern California International Gateway project Page 2 the worst air quality in the nation. Approval of this project as proposed would be a disaster for public health, the environment and the city of Los Angeles. We are asking that the following measures be taken before the full city council considers the project. The SCIG project should be considered by at least three committees Given the scope and impact of this massive industrial project, it should be considered by the Planning and Land Use Management committee; Energy and Environment committee; and the Trade, Commerce and Tourism committee. These committees are tasked with ensuring that the City s projects and policies are fully vetted. The SCIG project should be considered by the full city council after the transition to the new Mayor and Councilmembers We believe that it is important to include the new Mayor and Councilmembers in the discussions about this project and the impacts it will have on our city and environment. The City of Los Angeles Council will have a new mayor and seven new Councilmembers. If this project moves forward, whatever commitments are required of the project should be decided on and voted by the members that will be responsible for ensuring that the commitments are delivered, not by members that will cease to be responsible at the end of their term. Councilmember Buscaino should recuse himself We respectfully ask that Councilmember Joe Buscaino not be part of the decision-making process for this appeal or in any related matter. While we respect the important work Councilman Buscaino does for his District, clear evidence shows that he has already prejudged this Project. In a video called Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino - First Year In Office, Councilmember Buscaino stated we will soon break ground on the new BNSF Southern California International Gateway Project, the SCIG Project 1 This video was posted on January 31, 2013, which preceded the release of the Final EIR. Given the timing of this statement and others, Councilman Buscaino could not have made an independent evaluation of the merits of this Project. This type of predetermination is prohibited by state law. We appreciate your consideration of our request and welcome the opportunity to discuss our concerns with you further. Please contact Candice Kim at <candice@ccair.org> or (213) if you have any immediate questions about our concerns. Sincerely, Candice Kim Senior Campaign Associate

5 Re: Opposition of the Southern California International Gateway project Page 2 Coalition for Clean Air Jesse Marquez Coalition for a Safe Environment Giselle Fong Communities for Clean Ports / End Oil Angelo Logan East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice Morgan Wyenn Project Attorney Natural Resources Defense Council John Cross President West Long Beach Association Pat Kennedy Greater Long Beach Interfaith Community Organization Daniel Tavai Producer 'Aikona Val LiHang Jacobo CoFounder, AAPI Long Beach Roundtable CEO/President, The Jasmar Group CoFounder, Pacifika Voice Mitzi Shpak Action Now Dean Toji, PhD Co-chair Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council Environmental Justice Task Force Steering Committee Building Healthy Communities Long Beach Jane Williams California Communities Against Toxics Robina Suwol California Safe Schools Pastor Tiagogo and Lupe Misa Carson Bethel Church Eric Leocadio Catalyst Network of Communities Lisa Douglas Founder Crestmore Citizens for Action Nick Thibeault President CSULB - Environmental Science and Policy Club Isela C. Gracian Associate Director

6 Re: Opposition of the Southern California International Gateway project Page 2 East LA Community Corporation Keva Green Director Fountain of Life Covenant Church's Family Center Jorge Rivera The Greener Good Farmers Markets Martha Dina Argüello Physicians for Social Responsibility Los Angeles (PSR-LA) Reverend Misi Tagaloa Second Samoan Congregational Church of Long Beach Shabaka Heru Society for Positive Action, Inc. CC: Los Angeles City Councilmembers 1 See Joe Buscaino, Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino First Year in Office, available at W4XKBw&index=4; see also BNSFconnects, Now is the Time to Make A Difference Support SCIG on March 7!, available at (Councilmember Buscaino stating that he supports the SCIG, at 0:18); BNSFconnects,Make a Difference on October 18th, available at (Councilmember Buscaino stating that he supports the SCIG at 0:17 and 0:50). Commenters also attach several other statements indicating that Councilmember Buscaino has already articulated an opinion on a preferred alternative without consideration of the FEIR.

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