Frank Lautenberg: “My amendment would keep intact long standing provisions that protect public health, the environment, and the rights of…”

“My amendment would keep intact long standing provisions that protect public health, the environment, and the rights of citizens and states to have meaningful participation in transportation decisions. While I know the authors have worked very hard to strike a balance on the provisions in this bill, I believe their language to 'streamline' transportation planning processes is ill-advised and will have severe and unintended consequences. No one can argue with the theory behind 'streamlining' transportation projects. No public official wants to slow and encumber its State's transit, highway, bridge, rail, or other major construction projects. Unfortunately, the assumption behind the streamlining in this bill is that crucial tools to protect the environment, such as performing 'environmental impact statements,' are the reason behind the long, protracted projects that go on for years. That is patently incorrect and this misconception must be put to rest.”