Rail plan bad for air quality, Patterson says

By TIM MORAN
tmoran@modbee.com

last updated: February 23, 2008 04:01:20 AM

FRESNO -- The proposed short-haul rail system and inland port at the Crows Landing Air Facility might be good for air quality regionally, but it is bad for the air in the city of Patterson, according to City Attorney George Logan.

Logan attacked the PCCP West Park LLC short-haul rail project during a public hearing Friday held by the California Transportation Commission.

Logan revealed a city-commissioned air quality study that he said showed the rail project would create substantial air pollution problems in and around Patterson. The study, by Autumn Wind Associates of Newcastle, said diesel particulate matter from train and truck traffic as- sociated with the project would pose potential health hazards for Patterson residents.

West Park proponents have argued that the project will benefit air quality in the region by reducing the number of trucks driving over the Altamont Pass.

The project would create a short-haul rail link between the Port of Oakland and the former Crows Landing Naval Air Base, and establish an inland port at the Crows Landing facility. It is part of a proposal to develop 4,800 acres in and around the air facility into an industrial and business park.

Developer Gerry Kamilos is negotiating with Stanislaus County on the project. Kamilos and the county are applying for $26 million from the California Transportation Commission for the rail project.

The project is vying with dozens of other transportation projects around the state for an estimated $2.5 billion to $3 billion in state funds for improving transportation corridors. About $4.2 billion in applications has been submitted.

Friday's hearing was the last of four held this week around the state and keyed on San Joaquin Valley projects. The Transportation Commission is expected to choose which projects will be funded April 10.

Stanislaus County Supervisor Dick Monteith made the case for the short-haul rail proposal via video. He was unable to attend the meeting.

Monteith said the project would benefit the entire San Joaquin Valley by providing more efficient import and export of goods. Agricultural commodities and food processing companies would use the port, taking truck traffic off Interstate 5 and Interstate 580, Monteith said.

The transportation commission is expected to make a decision on the projects on April 10.

Bee staff writer Tim Moran can be reached at tmoran@modbee.com or 578-2349.

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