RESOLUTION NO. 03-07

PARTICIPATION IN WESTERN COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT (COG) AND METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO) AGENCIES TO MUTUALLY WORK TOGETHER TOWARD THE CREATION OF A WEST COAST TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR SYSTEM COALITION

WHEREAS, the challenge we face with the growth in international freight, as well as farm to market and intra-regional truck, rail and inland waterway travel and tourism is overwhelming our transportation system; and new Homeland Security initiatives also require additional resources at our international border crossings, air and marine seaports; and

WHEREAS, the majority of Asian Pacific trade arrives through our major west coast ports and forecasts a doubling or tripling in the next 20 years. International commerce provides a direct, positive effect on our economy; and local and regional economies are also influenced by economic activity from investments in transportation; and

WHEREAS, in California, over 1,000,000 jobs are directly affected by threatened cuts in transportation investments; and in Oregon and Washington, state leaders have authorized modest, new transportation infrastructure investment programs; and Congress and the Administration are currently debating the reauthorization of TEA-21 with potential significant impacts for the West Coast; and

WHEREAS, our transportation infrastructure is aging and corridor travel and trade demands are growing significantly faster than infrastructure capacity; and historically, our national trade, travel and energy corridors were designed for east-west rather than north-south mobility; and the emergence of NAFTA trade and the potential for expansion of trade to Latin America has resulted in additional demands on the system; and

WHEREAS, the population along the West Coast is growing considerably faster than the national average resulting in higher metropolitan housing costs, longer commute times and increased need to inland and coastal access route capacity; and increased freight; local and visitor impacts along I-5 and the adjacent rail corridors requires an interoperable and compatible intelligent transportation system to increase efficiency and maximize existing capacity; and

WHEREAS, the West Coast is the nexus of traditional Asia Pacific and emerging NAFTA trade and travel corridors.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that:

1. The above recitations are true and correct.

2. The SCRTPA wishes to work with its members in partnership with state, federal and private sector leaders to develop principles, priorities, and methods for the implementation of a multi-state, efficient trade, travel and energy corridor system.

PASSED AND ADOPTED this 21ST day of October 2003, by the Shasta County Regional Transportation Planning Agency.

_______________________________

Pat Kight, Chairman

Shasta County Regional

Transportation Planning Agency