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GROUNDBREAKING AGREEMENT BENEFITS SCHOOLS NEAR U.S. 95 Deal Targets Pollution Prevention at Fyfe and Adcock Elementary Schools and Western High School Las Vegas -- The Sierra Club today announced a landmark agreement with the Federal Highway Administration and the Nevada Department of Transportation to help prevent children who live and attend school near U.S. 95 from being exposed to increased levels of dangerous airborne toxics. While parts of the U.S. 95 expansion are already underway, this deal paves the way for the entire project to be completed by 2007. "If we are going to expand a highway through a residential neighborhood, we have an obligation to ensure the safety of the kids who live there," said Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, who was instrumental in finding a solution. "I am grateful that all the parties were able to come together to bring closure to this lawsuit. More importantly, I am confident that not only will we be able to expand our freeway, but we will protect the health and safety of children who attend school in close proximity of the U.S. 95." The settlement focuses on minimizing and monitoring the exposure of highway-related air toxics for kids who attend schools adjacent to an expanded U.S. 95. It is the first time that federal and state transportation agencies will be installing air filters and monitoring equipment designed to minimize the levels of highway-related air toxics in schools. "Our goal all along has been to solve the traffic problem without putting nearby residents, especially the kids, in harms way," explained Jane Feldman on behalf of the Sierra Club. "The agreement allows us to move school kids out of the danger zone and monitor pollution to stay ahead of any future highway health hazards in the neighborhood." A significant body of scientific evidence has emerged linking airborne toxic pollution from motor vehicles to a range of human health problems, including cancer, asthma, and premature death. In December 2004, the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that "exposure to traffic-related pollution, such as exhaust emissions from cars and diesel exhaust from trucks and even school buses, increases a child's risk of respiratory complications as well as lifetime risk of cancer." As part of the arrangement, the Sierra Club agreed to withdraw its challenge in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. In return, the Federal Highway Administration and the Nevada Department of Transportation have pledged the following:
The Sierra Club and the Justice Department are filing the agreement with the 9th Circuit Court today. The agreement will go into effect once accepted by the federal district court in Las Vegas. "The agreement would not have been possible without the leadership and input of key local leaders, especially Chairman of the Clark County Commission Rory Reid and Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, School District Superintendent Carlos Garcia and Deputy Superintendent Walt Rulffes," stated Feldman. "We also applaud the Federal Highway Administration and Nevada Department of Transportation for rolling up their sleeves with us to find an innovative solution." Added Feldman, "Las Vegas should not have to choose between reducing traffic and protecting its children. There's no question that the U.S. 95 expansion is a better project now that the schools will get some relief from pollution." ### |
