Slide 1

Brad MitzelfeltVice-Chairman, Board of Supervisors

CDAWG 2011

High Desert Corridor:The Cornerstone of High DesertSustainable Communities Strategy

VISION STATEMENT

We envision a complete county that capitalizes on the diversity ofits people, its geography, and its economy to create a broad rangeof choices for its residents in how they live, work, and play.We envision a vibrant economy with a skilled workforce thatattracts employers who seize the opportunities presented by thecounty’s unique advantages and provide the jobs that createcountywide prosperity.We envision a sustainable system of high‐quality education,community health, public safety, housing, retail, recreation, artsand culture, and infrastructure, in which developmentcomplements our natural resources and environment.We envision a model community which is governed in an open andethical manner, where great ideas are replicated and brought toscale, and all sectors work collaboratively to reach shared goals.From our valleys, across our mountains, and into our deserts, weenvision a county that is a destination for visitors and a home foranyone seeking a sense of community and the best life has to offer.

High Desert Corridor (HDC)

•Vision for High Desert

•Impacts of AB 32, SB 375

•Project Background

•Partnerships

•Making the Case for the HDC

•Highway of the Future

Vision for High Desert

•Desirable location for business and employees

•Unique Desert Lifestyle

•Broad Vistas

•Variety of housing choices, including low-density, large lots

•Local jobs, short commutes

•Access to recreation, amenities, culture

AB 32

•Will Impact Local Economy

•Legislative Analyst’s Office Predicts Job Losses

•“Trade Exposed, Energy Intensive” industries mostvulnerable (mining & manufacturing)

•Jan. 2010: MDAQMD Board Warns of “Regulatory Train Wreck”

AB 32 Impacts on Mining

•High Additional Costs

•Job Losses

–Layoffs already due torecession

–Plants operating at <50%capacity

•Potential increase in GHGemissions

–Products must come fromother states or countries

–Fewer regs, longer transport

•Local Mining

–Good for Economy

–Good for Environment

TXI-Riverside Cement in OroGrande spent nearly $500 millionon state-of-the-art expansion

SB 375

•Aims to reduce GHG emissions through land-useplanning

•Least effective emissions reduction strategy

•Technology will have greatest impact

•Anti-sprawl measure

•Targets rural, suburban living

•Mandates “Sustainable Communities Strategy” as partof Regional Transportation Plan (RTP)

•Draft RTP/SCS to be released in December

Long Commutes

•47% of Victor Valley workers commute >1 hour(round-trip)

•36% would take 5% to 10% salary cut to reducecommute time

Source: Inland Empire Annual Survey

Introducing the HDC

The HDC Project proposes to connect Los Angeles County and San BernardinoCounty through the High Desert area. The new 63-mile, east-west facility wouldlink State Route (SR)-14 in Palmdale with SR-18 in the Town of Apple Valley,components may include:

–Freight Corridor

–Green Energy

Corridor

–High Speed Rail

–Metrolink

HDC Alternative Metro Map March 2011 (2)_Page_1.jpg

Lancaster

Palmdale

Victorville

I-15

US 395

SR-14

Partnerships

•Metro

•Caltrans

•HDC Joint Powers Authority (JPA)

•SANBAG

•SCAG

•Lancaster

•Palmdale

•Adelanto

•Victorville

•Town of Apple Valley

•Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino

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Making the Case for the HDC

•Growth:

–Population in the Antelope Valley projected

to exceed 900,000 by 2035

–Victor Valley population is projected

to exceed 650,000 by 2035

•Inadequate Roadway Capacity:

–SR-138, California Goods Movement

•Currently carries 15,000 vehicles per day – 10% trucks

•Projected to exceed 100,000 vehicles per day in 2035

–Regional airports in Palmdale and Victorville

–Heavy traffic congestion and lengthy travel times

•Safety Issues

•SR-18, SR-14, I-15 are Subject to Closure in an Emergency

Population Growth 2011 vs. 2030

Project Goals

•Economic Development (Jobs, Jobs, Jobs)

•Increase east-west freight capacity

•Enhance safety

•Improve intermodal connections between regionalairports, rail and truck

•High Speed Rail and/or Metrolink

•Renewable Energy corridor

•SB 375 land use (Jobs/Housing Balance)

•Recreational Traffic (Las Vegas, River)

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

•Study by Economic Planning Systems Inc. projects43,000 permanent jobs stimulated by HDC

•16,200 immediate construction jobs

•Another 12,000 if High Speed Rail included

•Connects to, and supports, other regional jobmachine – SCLA

•Link with high-tech R&D in Palmdale, SCLA

•Local jobs = shorter commutes, reduced VehicleMiles Travelled, SB 375 compliance

Multi-Modal Corridor

•Trucks (clean diesel, natural gas, biofuels, electric)

•High Speed Rail

•Could link California High Speed Rail with Desert Xpress

•Metrolink

•Renewable Energy Production/Transmission

•Utility Corridor

Highway of the Future

•Energy Self-Sufficient

•Solar

•Wind

•Electrified trains

•Carbon capture

•Charging stations

•Alternative fuel stations

•Green Truck Stops

•Laboratory for new technology

Conclusion

•Now is defining moment for High Desert

•Future must be determined by High Desert itself

•AB 32, SB 375 are the law (no matter how we feel about them)

•High Desert Corridor can be vehicle for compliance

•Must support local solutions and compliance

•Need your involvement and support

Thank You