News and Press Releases - 2007

Plan Unveiled to Improve Goods Movement, Reduce Congestion and Improve Air Quality

Administration Officials Release Action Plan for Infrastructure Investment and Operational Improvements to the Goods Movement System That Promote Environmental Protection

SACRAMENTO - The state Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BTH) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) today jointly released the Goods Movement Action Plan (GMAP) for consideration by the California Transportation Commission, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) and the California Maritime Transportation Security Council.

The GMAP is a key component of Governor Schwarzenegger's Strategic Growth Plan and will guide allocation of $3.1 billion of the $19.9 billion approved by voters in the Highway Safety, Traffic Reduction, Air Quality and Port Security Bond Act of 2006 (Proposition 1B).

"The state's economy and quality of life depend upon the efficient and safe delivery of goods to and from our ports and borders," states Gov. Schwarzenegger. "At the same time, the environmental impacts from these activities must be reduced to protect public health."

As part of the Governor's initiative to direct investment in public infrastructure, the GMAP will help ensure efficient movement of goods through California's ports, rail yards and freeways in a manner that supports the economy and promotes a healthy environment.

"Governor Schwarzenegger is dedicated to improving our transportation infrastructure to support the demands on our primary corridors for moving goods and creating jobs," said Barry Sedlik, Acting Secretary for the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. "The GMAP identifies solutions among California's good movement corridors to reduce congestion and accommodate the expansion of trade between California and the rest of the world. This investment will assure California's position as a leading player in the global economy."

In addition to meeting the growing needs at California's ports and transportation corridors, the GMAP includes strategies to address public health, environmental impacts and community impacts created by goods movement.

 

"The GMAP will provide an important roadmap to address the air pollution and other environmental impacts created by goods movement," said Linda Adams, California's Secretary for Environmental Protection. "The goods that move in and through our state are critical to California's economic vitality, but we must promote strategies that protect our environment in the process," said Secretary Adams.

In 2005, the Schwarzenegger Administration established a cabinet-level working group to develop a comprehensive policy to improve goods movement, while ensuring protection of public health. Working collaboratively with the logistics industry, local and regional governments, neighboring communities, business, labor, environmental groups and other interested stakeholders, the GMAP was drafted to achieve the shared goals.

The goods movement industry is responsible for one in seven California jobs. More than forty three percent (43.5%) of all continental United States containerized trade moves through California's ports. Under Proposition 1B, the ARB will allocate $1 billion for emission reductions projects related to goods movement.

In addition to investments in air pollution reductions from trucks and other equipment, the state is also investing in security at the ports. The California Port Security Grant Program (CPSGP) will provide $100 million from the Port Security Bond Act to improve the security of various maritime assets throughout the State. The bond funds are an important supplement to the existing OHS programs coordinated with US-DHS and the federal port grant programs program. The funds will aid the implementation of security strategies developed by the three Area Maritime Security Committees and the California Maritime Security Council.

"Public safety is Governor Schwarzenegger's number one priority and this commitment of resources to the security of our ports is a vital component of the GMAP," said Matthew Bettenhausen, Director of the California Office of Homeland Security. "Ensuring the safety and security of these national assets goes hand-in-hand with other GMAP priorities."

The GMAP includes approximately 200 candidate actions and projects covering infrastructure, public health and environmental impact mitigation, community impact mitigation, homeland security and public safety, and workforce training. A range of funding sources and mechanisms are presented that are available to leverage Proposition 1B bond funds. The GMAP also identifies candidate goods movement projects for consideration in the CTC's allocation of the $2 billion in bonds under Proposition 1B for infrastructure investment.

BTH and Cal/EPA will present the Goods Movement Action Plan to the California Transportation, the California Air Resources Board, and the California Maritime Transportation Security for their consideration as they deliberate allocation of the Proposition 1B funds.

A copy of the plan can be found at XX