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Press Release

September 24, 2002

Contact:
East Bay Field Representative, 925-932.1773, cell 510-612-4802
Barbara Walters, 925-778-0490

Criticism Leveled at City of Antioch For Failing to Adequately Address Proposed Development's Impacts

Antioch—The City of Antioch has inadequately addressed the potential impacts of the proposed development of Future Urban Area #1 (FUA #1) on traffic, open space and schools according to comments Greenbelt Alliance will submit to the city on Wednesday, September 25, 2002.

The City of Antioch's Draft Environmental Impact Review (DEIR) was released in August and comments on the report are due today. The DEIR is a study meant to inform decision-maker of the potential impacts of a proposed development.

"This report simply doesn't provide enough information on traffic, open space and schools issues to allow the City Council to make an informed decision on this development," says Elinor Buchen of Greenbelt Alliance. "This proposal covers 2,700 acres. This project is too large for the City to make a decision based on inadequate information."

In their comments, Greenbelt Alliance is requesting that the City revise the Draft EIR and recirculate it to the public for review.

Other organizations and local citizens will also submit comments critical of the DEIR. "Traffic is the most important issue in Antioch. There are many days where I spend two hours, each way, commuting," states Barbara Walters, a concerned resident and commuter who has spoken out at recent planning commission hearings and will also submit comments. "The estimated 143,000 new daily car trips generated by this project would definitely have significant impacts on our traffic problems. We need to know exactly what those impacts would be."

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For 50 years, Greenbelt Alliance has been the San Francisco Bay Area's advocate for open spaces and vibrant places, with offices in San Francisco, San Jose, Walnut Creek, Fairfield, and Santa Rosa. www.greenbelt.org