Environmental Groups Praise ISTEA Bill, Threaten Fight Over Amendments

(15 September, 1997 — Washington) In a letter sent today, six national environmental organizations representing over a million members today praised the efforts of Senator John Chafee, Senator John Warner, and Senator Max Baucus in producing the draft Intermodal Transportation Act of 1997 and warned of their intention to fight anti-environmental amendments to the bill.

The letter to the three Senators, released today, was signed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Environmental Working Group, Friends of the Earth, Natural Resources Defense Council, Public Citizen, and Sierra Club.

‘This legislation would build upon the successful environmental initiatives of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and strengthen important environmental programs,” said Michael Replogle of EDF. “The Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) and Transportation Enhancements programs are vital to environmentally responsible transportation investment and management and we are pleased to see that they have been retained and allowed to grow in your legislation.”

“While we have some significant reservations about certain changes made to ISTEA’s transportation planning process, as well as changes in the Interstate Maintenance and Bridge Rehabilitation programs, we look forward to continuing our ongoing discussions with the committee regarding these and other issues,” said Replogle. “If our concerns are resolved, we will have no difficulty in giving this bill our strong support.”

The letter expressed concern about anti-environmental riders or amendments to ISTEA in committee or on the Senate floor. “Our groups will work together to vigorously oppose efforts to rollback environmental provisions and programs through this law,” said Kaid Benfield of the Natural Resources Defense Council.