Draft MTP/SCS Comments Received - sacog

file://C:\Documents and Settings\CHoltzen\Local Settings\Temp\XPGrpWise...
Page 1 of 2
1/4/2012
eircomments sacog - Comment on the Draft MTP/SCS and EIR from
From: MTP Comments
To:
Date: 12/23/2011 11:08 AM
Subject: Comment on the Draft MTP/SCS and EIR from
What are you commenting on?
• Metropolitan Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
Name
Email
ray tretheway
ray@sactree.com
Do you want a written response?
Yes
Address
sacaramento tree foundation
191 Lathrop Way suite D
sacramento, California 95815
United States
Map It
Comments on the MTP/SCS
I believe SACOG should rethink and retool its MTP/SCS to respond to the emerging set of research and studies on
how urban forests contribute to the vibrancy of the Sacramento region. There is growing understanding that forests
in urban settings make positive and measureable contributions to air quality, public health and well-being,
stormwater quality and runoff reduction, greenhouse gas reductions, urban heat island mitigation, energy
conservation and enhance the mobility choices of pedestrians and bicyclists.
Without a comprehenisve urban forest element in the MTP/SCS, these critical benefits will be more difficult to attain
as the Blueprint urban areas grow in size and density.
There are important parallels between the changing conceptualiztion of urban forests with the one taking place in
regard to rural-urban connections. In both instances, priorities are beginning to rest with the economic vitality,
environmental sustainability and human health and well-being of future growth patterns.
The recognition of a more important ecological and social role for urban forests leads directly to the realization that
policies and programs designed to maintain and enhance urban forests in the Sacramento region must expand in
purpose and scope. There is a regional need for SACOG 's Sustainable Communities Strategy to take the lead in
capturing this enhanced vision of urban forests; communicating it effectively to the general public and political
leadership; and encouraging its member cities and counties to develop more functionally sophisticated programs.
Given SACOG's proven work on minimizing negative transportation impacts on our regions' environmental health
and community well-being, increasing the region's tree canopy as part of a larger green infrastructure network
provides a variety of benefits to the region's mobility, environment and people.
Region-wide the lack of tree canopy in urban and suburban settings adversely affects the health and well being of
its residents, contributes to higher summer ambient air temperatures and to incidences of air pollution. From
unshaded parking lots, streets and highways, sidewalks and pathways, enlarging the region's tree canopy should
be a goal of the MTP/SCS.
Page 12 of 165