Environmental Brochures
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Vote ”NO“ on the Greenway Initiative, June 7, 2022
Posted on: March 21, 2022 2:31 pm
The Valley Women’s Club Endorses a “NO” vote, on the Greenway Initiative, Measure D, June 7, 2022
There is detailed information regarding the Greenway Initiative available, and these are the points that we on the VWC Environmental Committee feel warrant consideration. Thank you for the opportunity to provide our thoughts to you.
First, the environmental impacts of continuing expansion and use of Hwy 1 are detrimental to the health and well-being of our delicate coastal environment. It is environmentally irresponsible and short-sighted to put any barriers in the way of restoring rail as soon as possible.
Greenway will not protect rail restoration but will make it impossible. Greenway’s statements to the contrary are disingenuous —untrue. Having swift, reliable rail transit is the only option to reducing traffic on Hwy 1 so that the number of vehicles will be significantly and permanently reduced, thus reducing pollution. This, in turn, will reduce Climate Change. Greenway will do the opposite.
Second, public transportation is of primary importance to providing low-cost public transportation (in comparison to owning and driving a car), especially for the communities of South County whose voices are being ignored. As the economic backbone of Santa Cruz County, they have indicated that they want the rail; they need the rail. We need to listen to those voices.
The RTC Members from South County want to keep working on the rail and trail.
Back in May of 2021, Watsonville City Council passed a resolution expressing support for the business plan for the construction and operation of a passenger rail system. Council Member Lowell Hurst has endorsed the NO WAY GREENWAY campaign.
Supervisor Greg Caput spoke forcefully at the Board of Supervisors that Greenway ignores the needs of South County.
Third, Greenway would take away the train option and will not benefit the trail. Contrary to what it purports to do (“save the tracks”), the option is gone once all language regarding trains is removed from the County General Plan. The trail is a requirement now, and is being built; without the rail, funding may not only dry up but funds already spent may have to be paid back.
Fourth, take note of the fact that the local Fire Departments have unanimously expressed caution against forced abandonment of the freight designation of the Felton to Santa Cruz line.
To sum it up, Greenway puts in motion an initiative that can NEVER be reversed. It is permanent. It changes the General Plan and thus changes the future course of Santa Cruz County.
Greenway really only benefits the people who have bike and pedestrian access to the trails… a small sub-set of the population. It benefits an even smaller group with financial gains to be made if the train is abandoned.
This is versus a system that benefits our whole county, neighboring counties, and visitors.
The limited scope of the Greenway option adversely impacts minority populations with economic or physical limitations, disabled, seniors, low-income, students, by eliminating the option of public transportation.
For more information visit: https://www.nowaygreenway.com/
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Join us for a No on Measure D fundraising event on Thursday, March 31. RSVP by clicking on the invite below. Not able to attend? Please consider showing your support with a donation or endorsement.
