Number: 1981-31
WHEREAS, it is a stated goal of the National Wildlife Federation that national transportation policy should facilitate mobility while minimizing energy consumption and destruction of terrestrial habitat, including agricultural land and open space; and
WHEREAS, Federal-Aid Highway Funds continue to be used almost exclusively for construction of additional highways rather than for rehabilitation, reconstruction, resurfacing, and revitalization of existing highway systems; and
WHEREAS, the cost to complete the last four percent of the interstate system is presently estimated to exceed $50 billion, while the annual cost for rehabilitation of the existing interstate system is presently estimated at $2 billion; and
WHEREAS, the cost to repair substandard bridges is presently estimated at $33 billion; and
WHEREAS, federal capital and operating assistance to mass transit promotes compact development, reduces energy consumption, protects terrestrial habitat, and improves air quality;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 26-29, 1981, in Norfolk, Virginia, hereby supports orderly termination of selected non-essential Interstate Highway Program segments and dedication of Federal-Aid Highway funds to the rehabilitation and resurfacing of the existing system; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports the goal of a substantial increase in mass transit ridership in the 1980s, as well as continued federal capital and operating assistance to rail, bus, and other mass transit systems.