Exemption of Roads from Air Monitoring

WHEREAS urban regions in Texas are consistently out of compliance with federal and state Ambient Air Quality regulations;

• Poor quality air has a direct effect on a community's health , particularly among individuals with chronic illnesses such as respiratory problems.
• Urban regions modify major transporation projects within the city;
• Vehicle air pollution (gas, particles and noise) is known to aggravate respiratory and cardiovascular related diseases;
• The law exempts roads from air monitoring; heavy vehicular traffic, long driving times, emissions from industry, dust, and smoke comprise the factors contributing to poor air quality;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the State Democratic Party support:

• Require the federal or state funded transportation projects to include air quality and public health data in environmental assesments for major transportation within residential areas of counties that are not in compliance or near compliance.

DRAFT Prepared by: The Environmental Initiative of the Houston Region Democrats 2.7.06