Number: 1993-07
WHEREAS, the use of the automobile for the transportation of a single occupant is detrimental to the environmental quality of urban/suburban air, wildlife, open space and water and is a costly and inefficient use of non-renewable energy resources; and
WHEREAS, urban person-trips made by automobile are 85%, and the proportion of total urban smog caused by automobiles is 40-60%, and motor vehicles account for 40-60% of the hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen which are precursors of ozone; and
WHEREAS, non-point runoff from impervious surfaces such as existing roads and parking lots contribute to the deterioration of the quality of wetlands, rivers, streams, public water supplies and the coastal waters of urban/suburban areas; and
WHEREAS, highways cause fragmentation of wildlife habitat, and severely limit the movement of wildlife from one area to another; and
WHEREAS, highway systems take a disproportionate amount of land in relation to that of other forms of transportation; and
WHEREAS, the cost of one land-mile of a new major highway is considerably higher than the cost of one land-mile of new light rail;
WHEREAS, further delay in issuing regulations implementing the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 may frustrate the achievement of the goals of that Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 11-14, 1993, in Crystal City, Virginia, urges that the Secretary of Transportation shall not certify any highway project, or expansion of any highway or highway related facility until the viability of such a project is weighed against the long term energy use, associated and actual user costs, short and long term effects on environmental quality and land use, and that each highway project request must prove that there is no feasible and prudent transportation alternative to the proposed project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation calls upon the United States Department of Transportation to immediately promulgate regulations implementing the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 consistent with its intent, and to effectively:
1. Require that transportation projects reduce air pollution in metropolitan and rural areas; 2. Fund transportation enhancements such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities, scenic and historic easements, and mitigation of water pollution; and 3. Meet requirements for public participation in transportation planning.