New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), which includes government and transportation providers for NYC, suburban L.I. and the lower Hudson Valley, is required by Federal regulations to develop a long-range Transportation Plan and update that Plan every three years. The Plan sets the guiding principles upon which decision makers base future transportation decisions.

The planning process must include a forum for public review and input. As such an important public hearing will take place on Wednesday, February 25th in the Dennison Building, 100 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Hauppauge. Two sessions will be held: The first begins at 3:30 and ends at 5:30, the second begins at 7:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m

NYMTCs vision, goals and guiding principles are laudable and based on such goals as:

*Increase the safety and security of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized users. *Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation and improve the quality of life.

Indeed, since the passage of Federal Air Quality Standards, under the Clean Air Act, the transportation sector must contribute to the reduction of air pollutant emissions. In addition, the NYS Energy Plan require that transportation plans play a role in the reduction of greenhouse gases, which are a contributing factor to climate change.

Unfortunately, due to Suffolk County overdependence on the automobile our region is a severe ozone non-attainment area. Therefore, NYMTC must identify and implement transportation strategies that yield substantial emissions reductions.

In addition NYMTC recognizes that continued sprawl type development increases demand for auto usage. Among its stated principles is ³Harmonizing the System with its Surroundings.² This principle includes the following goals: *Increase awareness of the linkages between transportation planning and land-use planning to limit inadvertent patterns of sprawl. * Enhance quality of life by providing for environmentally-responsible movement of people, goods and vehicles.

NYMTC further states that ³the integration of land use and transportation planning is critical to the improvement of mobility and quality of life in the region...²

NYMTC¹s Plan also sings the praises of context sensitive solutions . Within the Draft Plan it is stated that context sensitive solutions should improve the transportation system while addressing communities visions and interests.

These are excellent goals, however, they are not reflected in the projects identified. As most of us are aware the DOT has been pressing to turn Middle Country Road into a 5 lane high speed highway. Therefore, the regions long range plan developed by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council NYMTC has reflected DOTs vision.

Unfortunately it has not reflected the vision of the community.

The current plan calls for the widening of Middle Country Road from CR 83 to Coram Mt. Sinai Rd to five lanes. The plan call for the widening of Middle Country Road from Coram Mt. Sinai Rd. to CR 21. The DOT has also been pressing to turn Rt. 347 into a superhighway. Therefore, the Plan calls for the widening and grade separations along Rt. 347.

The plan calls for the widening of Rt. 112 from Old Town Road to Rt. 347. The plan calls for the widening of Rt. 112 from the LIE to Old Town Road. The plan calls for the widening of Cr 83 from Rt. 112 to 25A. The plan calls for the widening of Rt. 112 between Rt. 27 and the LIE. The plan calls for the widening of Portion Road CR16 from Rt. 97 to Ronkonkoma Ave. The plan calls for the widening of CR 16 from Rt. 112 to Rt. 27. The Plan calls for the widening of Rt. 97 from Rt. 27 to Rt. 347. The plan calls for the widening of Rt. 111 from Rt. 76 to Rt. 347. The plan calls for the widening of CR 46 from Rt. 25 to Rt. 27. , and on and on and on.

Will such plans increase safety, reduce air pollutants, reduce greenhouse gases, reduce our demand on the automobile, contribute to the reduction of sprawl, which eats up our remaining open spaces? Do such plans take into account Brookhaven¹s efforts to move away from sprawl and incorporate sustainable principles in their land use codes? Do such plans take into account the visions of communities? No, No, No, No, NO.

This draft plan must be changed so that it truly protects our environment and truly incorporates the visions of Brookhaven Communities. Please make every effort to attend the hearing on On February 25th , or contact NYMTC, at: NMTC-RTP@dot.state.ny.us or mail comments to: Regional Transportation Plan Update, NYMTC, 45-46 21st Street, Long Island City, NY 11101.

It is important that as many people as possible attend the NYMTC public hearing and express the concerns of Brookhaven communities. We need to stress:

1. That we are more interested in safety than in speed.

2. That road widening is a short term solution to congestion. That congestion should be addressed, not through the short term solution of additional lanes, but by creating an interconnected roadway network, replacing sprawl with Village centers, and intersection treatments such as efficient roundabouts.