Sierra Club bolts ADOT panel

Input team refutes 'sham' claim

Corinne Purtill
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 25, 2006 12:00 AM  

The Sierra Club has withdrawn from the South Mountain Citizens Advisory Team, citing concerns that the Arizona Department of Transportation-led process has become a "sham" that silences the public.

Michelle Pulich Stewart, the club's representative, announced her resignation at the outset of the group's Thursday night meeting. The club's local leadership instructed her to withdraw after the team agreed to stop reading public comments aloud at recent meetings.

"We can't participate in a process that's not allowing for the public component to be there," Pulich Stewart said after the meeting.  

Her withdrawal leaves the group without an environmental representative. The team discussed air quality at the meeting after Pulich Stewart left, and agreed to appoint another environmental representative after panel members vote on their preferred West Valley alignment, scheduled for March 30.The freeway would complete Loop 202 and link Interstate 10 in the West Valley to I-10 near Ahwatukee, bypassing Phoenix.

The Sierra Club was also frustrated with what they perceived as ADOT's unwillingness to consider transportation solutions other than freeways. The Sierra Club generally does not support freeways, Pulich Stewart said, and felt that ADOT was steering the group away from a "no" vote on the freeway.

"In addition to limiting the public's ability to voice its concerns in these meetings . . . it has also become increasing(ly) clear that the process is intended to rubber stamp a foregone conclusion on the part of the Department of Transportation," a statement from the Sierra Club read.

The Sierra Club has held a seat on the team since the volunteer advisory committee was formed more than four years ago. Pulich Stewart took the seat in June.

Though they applauded Pulich Stewart for her service, members of the group disputed her characterization of its position.

"The no-build (option) is not off the table. This group can evaluate the no-build, and will evaluate the no-build," moderator Theresa Gunn said after the announcement.

The group has been asked to vote on a preferred West Valley alignment before voting on the whole project to help alleviate the frustration of property owners, developers and governments that have suspended plans pending a decision on the location. ADOT has proposed connecting the western portion of the freeway at 55th Avenue, 71st Avenue or Loop 101.