Environmental issues to the fore in Los Angeles, Long Beach

Environmental issues to the fore in Los Angeles, Long Beach    Tonight the Port of Los Angeles will hold the first of two community meetings to shape the pending environmental review of the Southern California Intermodal Gateway, a proposed 153-acre rail yard to be built and operated by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway west of Long Beach but on Port of Los Angeles property.
   The $175 million project, along with a proposed expansion of Union Pacific's existing intermodal rail facility, is considered crucial for future goods movement in the region. Both projects, however, are likely to face resistance from surrounding residential neighborhoods.
   Meanwhile, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the state's air quality agency, has just released a report, titled 'Diesel Particulate Matter Exposure Assessment Study for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.'
   The 74-page report, available online at https:// www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/marinevess/documents/100305draftexposrep.pdf , includes emissions inventories for the diesel engines operating in and around the port, as well as pollution dispersion models and the subsequent health risks to the region.
   CARB is responsible for regulating the mobile sources of pollution in the port, including yard tractors and other diesel terminal equipment.