Thank you to the activists who shut down the Inland Port Authority Board’s meeting this month. Something needed to be done, and more is needed to get the attention of our legislators and this un-elected board, as well as all Utahns.
I recently attended one of the board meetings and spoke during the public comment period (shaking voice and all).
In other cities with similar developments, the freeways are overcrowded with trucks. The 90-minute drive from Little Rock, Ark., to Memphis, Tenn., alone is essentially one long line of trucks. The increased traffic this port will bring will make our freeways not just unpleasant, but unsafe.
In addition, Salt Lake is among the 10 most polluted cities in the nation. Although vehicles are often cited as a main contributor, the vehicles that cause the most damage are diesel trucks.
As I reminded the board, their responsibility (and the responsibility of any developers) should be to improve our air quality, not simply prevent it from worsening. Not trying to proactively improve our air quality is contrary to common sense and decency, not only to ourselves, but to future generations.
I commend these activists. Something needs to be done for the people’s voice to be heard. I’d like our politicians and this Board to not only listen, but act in our best interests. After all, it’s dangerous air that their children are breathing, as well.
Charlotte Maloney, Millcreek
