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Showing posts with label bakersfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bakersfield. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

CaHSRA issues draft EIR/EIS for Bakersfield to Palmdale segment of bullet train

The California High Speed Rail Authority (CaHSRA) has just released a draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for a segment of the project that will connect Bakersfield to Palmdale in Los Angeles County.


The approximately 80-mile section of the state-wide project will include stations in Bakersfield and Palmdale while passing through or near the communities of Edison, Tehachapi, Rosamond, and Lancaster. It will close the existing passenger rail gap between Northern and Southern California.

The CaHRSA will be accepting public comments on the draft EIR/EIS until April 13, 2020, as it undergoes a required CEQA and NEPA review. The final EIR/EIS will be issued in 2021.

In addition, public hearings will be held as follows:

Lancaster
March 4,2020
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Jane Reynolds Park Activity Center
716 Oldfield Street
Lancaster, PA 93534

Bakersfield
March 5, 2020
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Edison Middle School Gym
721 S. Edison Road
Bakersfield, CA 93307

Rosamond
March 26, 2020
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Rosamond Public Library
3611 Rosamond Blvd.
Rosamond, CA 93560


For more information on the document and other ways to submit comments: Bakersfield to Palmdale Draft EIR/EIS


Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Bakersfield and San Joaquin Valley win again - worst air in the nation

The American Lung Association released its Annual State of the Air 2017 report today and once again, Bakersfield and other cities in the San Joaquin Valley share the dubious "honor" of having the worst air in the country.

The report found that although continued improvement in air quality across the nation has occurred, nearly four in ten Americans - roughly 125 million - live in counties where ozone or particle pollution in the air is at unhealthy levels. The consequences of this are increased risks of developing lung cancer, heart disease, asthma, premature death, and developmental and reproductive harm.


Photo credit: California EPA

Bakersfield, in particular, has particularly nasty air, earning the distinction of having the number one worst short-term particle pollution (24-hour PM2.5) and the second worst ozone and long-term particle pollution (annual PM2.5).

The report demonstrates that in much of the country, the Clean Air Act has successfully reduced air pollution over the last 50 years. However, as noted by Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, the report "...adds to the evidence that the ongoing changes in our climate make it harder to protect human health. As we move into an ever warmer climate, cleaning up these pollutants will become ever more challenging, highlighting the critical importance of protecting the Clean Air Act."

The Full report may be accessed here: Annual State of the Air 2017

The summary of the most polluted cities may be seen below:

Top 10 U.S. Cities Most Polluted by Short-Term Particle Pollution (24-hour PM2.5):
  • Bakersfield, Calif.
  • Visalia-Porterville-Hanford, Calif.
  • Fresno-Madera, Calif.
  • Modesto-Merced, Calif.
  • Fairbanks, Ala.
  • San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, Calif.
  • Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, Utah
  • Logan, Utah-Idaho
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif.
  • Reno-Carson City-Fernley, Nev.
Top 10 U.S. Cities Most Polluted by Year-Round Particle Pollution (Annual PM2.5):
  • Visalia-Porterville-Hanford, Calif.
  • Bakersfield, Calif.
  • Fresno-Madera, Calif.
  • San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, Calif.
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif.
  • Modesto-Merced, Calif.
  • El Centro, Calif.
  • Pittsburgh-New Castle-Weirton, Pa.-Ohio-W.Va.
  • Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Ohio
  • San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Top 10 Most Ozone-Polluted Cities:
  • Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif.
  • Bakersfield, Calif.
  • Fresno-Madera, Calif.
  • Visalia-Porterville-Hanford, Calif.
  • Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.
  • Modesto-Merced, Calif.
  • San Diego-Carlsbad, Calif.
  • Sacramento-Roseville, Calif.
  • New York-Newark, N.Y.–N.J.-Conn.-Pa.
  • Las Vegas-Henderson, Nev.-Ariz.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Free America Recycles Day event in Bakersfield on November 12, 2016

Bakersfield and Kern County residents looking for a way to get rid of certain unwanted or unusable items should head to the Rabobank Arena next week. A free, drive-thru recycling event will be taking place on Saturday, November 12, 2016, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the arena's South Parking Lot.

Items accepted include electronics, batteries, large and small household items, passenger vehicle tires (limit 4), used motor oil filters, used clothing, shoes, linens, surplus construction materials, paper shredding waste (limit - 2 file size boxes), and other recyclable material.

For further information, call 661.831.2321.



Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Third world water issues hit Bakersfield and Kern County - Lake Ming declared unsafe for human contact

We've been reading a lot recently about the extremely contaminated water issues in the Rio Summer Olympics recently. Despite promises to the contrary by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian officials, raw sewage continues to flow into the waters where Olympic swimmers and boaters will be competing. The solution according to officials? Don't swim with one's mouth open.



Photo: Lake Ming - Kern County website, Fair Use

A similar situation has just occurred here in Bakersfield with an announcement today by the Kern County Public Health Department (KCPHD). Testing of samples collected by the KCPHD has revealed that "potentially" harmful bacteria levels are present in Lake Ming, a very popular local recreation spot.

Although the KCPHD described it as "potentially" harmful, nevertheless it issued a no contact advisory for people to avoid water from the lake. The bacteria can be ingested or enter one's body through a skin cut or sore. If this happens, one can become sick, develop a rash, or contract an infection.

The Director of KCPHD, Matt Considine, said, "Issuing a no contact advisory is a preventative measure. We will continue to test and monitor bacteria levels."

Warning signs have been placed around the lake. The signs will not be removed until further testing reveals that bacteria levels are at safe levels.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Thursday, September 29, 2011

APCD to hold eTrip marketing class next week

The San Joaquin Valley APCD will be holding an eTrip Rule marketing class next week. Get all the info in my article at the link below:

APCD to hold eTrip marketing class next week