HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 89-117RESOlUT14N N0. 89-117
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA. IN SUPPORT OF
H.R. 2323, CLEAN AIR RESTORATION ACT OF 1989
WHEREAS, the December 31, 1987, attainment deadline
contained in the 1977 federal Clean Air Act Amendments (the Act)
has passed, and the South Coast Air Basin is among almost 100
metropolitan areas across the nation which failed to achieve
attainment of the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)
by this date; and
WHEREAS. the 12 million people in this air basin are exposed
to the worst air quality in the nation. In fact� the exposure
levels in the South Coast Air Basin are five times greater than
in any other city in the United States. Ozone and carbon
monoxide have been shown to cause scarring of the lungs, reduced
heart and lung function, chest pain, and increased incidence of
lung infection. There is medical evidence that repeated short-
term exposures to ozone may cause permanent damage; and
WHEREAS, while the existing Act contains comprehensive
provisions to reduce ozone and carbon monoxide emissions, states
and localities have had difficulty in attaining the NAAQS by the
congressionally-mandated deadline of December 31, 1987. The
problems have included 1) unrealistic attainment deadlines; 2)
Fa i 1 u re of the federa 1 government to suff i c i ent 1 y regu 1 ate
certain sources (e.g. motor vehicles, trains, planes, ships, and
nationallY distributed coatings and solvents); and 3) the
inherent difficulties associated with predicting attainment using
mathematical models; and
WHEREAS, in January, 1989, the California Clean Air Act (AB
2595 Sher) became law which requires areas to develop, adopt. and
implement control plans which at a minimum demonstrate a 57. per
year reduc:tion of emissions. AB 2595 represents a strong
commitment by California to aggressively pursue and achieve
healthful air quality; and
MHEREAS, each level of government must do its fair share in
controlling air pollution; and
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RESOLUT[ON N0. 89-117
MHEREAS, the South Coast Air Basin cannot achieve healthful
air quality without a strong federal Clean Air Act framework; and
WHEREAS, Congressmen Henry Waxman and Jerry Lewis are to be
commended for their leadership and statesmanship in negotiating
legislation which provides California and the nation the
assurance that the federal government will do its fair share in
our air pollution clean up efforts.
NOMI, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Palm Desert
supports H.R. 2323, the Clean Air Restoration Act of 1989 to
provide for:
- An aggressive federal control program needed to reduce
emissions from motor vehicles and other sources under
federal jurisdiction.
- Sufficient flexibility for local government to tailor
control programs to meet local and regional needs.
- Realistic attainment deadlines with reasonable
increments of progress to eliminate impossible goals
which lead to unavoidabie sanctions.
- Subjecting development of the outer continental shelf
resources to the same rules and regulations applicable
to facilities in adjacent on-shore regions.
- Adequate funding to do needed research to advance
pollution control technology.
- Continued progress toward clean air and a recognition
that healthful air and a strong economy need not be
mutually exclusive goals.
- Strong policy guidance to be sent to all federal
agencies to ensure that their activities do not add to
our pollution problems.
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RESOLUTION N0. 89-117
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall
be transmitted to all Southern California congressional
representatives.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the Palm Desert City Council
this 24th day of August, 1989, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Benson, Crites, Kelly, Snyder, Wilson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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SHEILA R. GILLIGAN, CI Y CLERK
CITY OF PALM DESERT, ALIFORNIA
S. ROI�'WILSON, MAYOR
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