The Kern County Board of Supervisors decided that they've had enough with California's High-Speed Rail (HSR) project yesterday, joining the Bakersfield City Council and other San Joaquin Valley governing bodies to formally oppose the project.
The move is symbolic in nature, as the EIR process for the project will continue despite the opposition.
The Board heard testimony from representatives of the California High-speed Rail Authority (CaHSRA), Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG), and public members who supported and opposed the project.
Kern COG's representative stated that it was also considering a similar position statement, but, would take no formal position until it receives a report from its consultant on changes being made in response to the current draft EIR for the Fresno to Bakersfield section. Kern COG urged the Board to delay its vote until it receives that report.
Others warned that a negative vote would result in lost economic opportunities, increased air pollution, and increased costs as more taxes would be needed to maintain existing highways and add new ones to accommodate future population growth.
Opponents, however, pointed to increasing costs, unreliable ridership estimates, and negative impacts on Kern property owners and businesses.
Howard Silver, testifying on behalf of Kern COG, stated that if the Board opposed the project, then it would guarantee that the proposed railroad maintenance facility will not be built in Kern County but in Fresno instead. Later, Supervisor Maggard responded to that assertion by claiming that the railroad maintenance facility probably wasn't going to be built here anyway.
His rationale for that position is that construction for the Fresno to Bakersfield section will probably begin in the north and work its way down to Bakersfield. However, he believes that funding will run out before any tracks are placed in Kern County. Therefore, when additional funds are obtained for the maintenance facility, it will more likely be placed in an area where tracks exist.
Furthermore, in response to criticisms that making an opposition vote today would cause the CaHSRA to look unfavorably on facilities for Bakersfield, Maggard pointed out that the CaHSRA has no legal authority to do that. Whether a local government opposes or supports the project, the CaHSRA must take all comments into consideration before finalizing its project plans.
At the end of the day, the testimony of supporters was not enough. On a motion by Supervisor Maggard, the Board voted 3-2, to oppose the project with Supervisors Maggard, Scrivner, and McQuiston voting for the statement and Supervisors Goh and Watson against it.
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