(May 29, 2015) -- The state Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by State Senator Ricardo Lara (D., Long Beach-Huntington Park) effectively blocked for the remainder of 2015 a bill by State Senator Jerry Hill (D., San Mateo) that sought to fund a study (using revenue from a tire recycling fund) of alleged adverse health impacts of using "crumb rubber" (waste tire pieces) for use as artificial turf in parks and schools (for uses including soccer fields.) [Scroll down for further] |
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SB 47 (text here, policy analysis here, fiscal analysis here) would have also required parks and school districts to consider at least one alternative to "crumb rubber" and hold at least one public meeting on the issue. The Senate Appropriations Committee action doesn't completely kill the bill; there's a chance it might be revived, with amendments to address current opposition, in 2016. [Scroll down for further.]
The action came in a May 28 session of the Senate Appropriations Committee, at which a soccer coach and high school cancer survivor were among witnesses testifying in support of the bill. Rubber and recycling industry representatives, labor interests and a group representing school business officials supported a study of the safety of crumb rubber but opposed the bill as currently written. Below is support and opposition for SB 47 as listed in a March 2015 legislative analysis by the state Senate's Environmental Committee staff: SUPPORT: [Scroll down for further.]
After testimony from SB 47's author Sen Hill and witnesses pro and con, Sen. Pat Bates (R., OC) signaled that she wouldn't support SB 47 as currently written. The Appropriations Committee's legislative analysis indicated that SB 47 meets the criteria for referral to the "suspense file," a procedure in which the Appropriations Committee chair [Dem leadership] can prevent a bill's advance to the full Senate floor on grounds the measure could create potential budget costs. [See Committee legislative analysis on fiscal grounds here,.] Without expressing a view on the bill pro or con, Sen Lara said that "without opposition" the bill would be placed on suspense; no opposition was heard from any Committee Democrat or Republican [which would have forced a recorded vote] and the bill's advance to the Senate floor was halted, likely for the rest of 2015. The bill isn't completely dead; SB 47's author, Sen. Hill, told the committee that he hopes to work with the opposition to address their concerns; the measure can be revived, either with gynmastic rule waivers later in the session or, more likely, possible amendments to meet objections of opponents and reviving the bill in 2016.
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SB 47 had been closely watched locally, with a decision now pending by LB Parks & Rec management, likely to percolate to LB's Parks & Rec Commission, on what type of artificial turf to install for soccer fields in El Dorado, Admiral Kidd and Seaside Parks. Crumb rubber (waste tires) isn't the only type of artificial turf; there are other types available at various costs. A previous City Council authorized Parks & Rec management to install artificial turf at the three parks in the belief it would be a cost saving/water saving measure...but after the Council vote, media reports sparked health concerns over crumb rubber among members of the public. Several months ago, KCET/28 Los Angeles reported on the "crumb rubber" controversy, click here. Just last week, on May 19, 2015, CBS2 in New York City (WCBS-TV/2) reported on [its title] "Concerns Mount That Crumb Rubber Soccer Fields May Pose Danger." To view the CBS2-NYC report, click here. AYSO 177 (Long Beach/Belmont Shore) supports installing artificial turf, arguing that the current natural turf invites injuries from gopher holes and uneven fields. Opponents cite health concerns over crumb rubber (waste tires) which they say is especially worrisome with the soccer fields use by children. The El Dorado Park South Neighborhood Association board supports maintaining the current natural grass soccer fields and opposes installation of crumb rubber or other artificial turf, noting it will require some type of fencing or some barrier blocking the current open, unhindered views if the park, a viewpoint echoed by resident dispatches on Nextdoor.com. And still to be decided is another hot button issue: the possibility of installing lights at the El Dorado Park West soccer field. Lights are supported by soccer field users and opposed by residents near the park. LBREPORT.com is told that Parks & Rec management currently plans to bring the issue of installing synthetic material to LB's Parks & Recreation Commission (Mayor chosen, Council approved), apparently accompanied by some type of consultant prepared report, in or about mid-June. As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, opposition to the use of "crumb rubber" surfaced at a Feb. 23 public meeting organized by Councilwoman Stacy Mungo to discuss the current plan to install some type of synthetic material in El Dorado Park West [east side of Studebaker Rd., north of Willow St.] Councilwoman Mungo initially told the meeting's roughly 200+ attendees that if they didn't want their children playing on crumb rubber in El Dorado Park, they could use soccer fields elsewhere in town that would use other materials, but Parks & Rec Director George Chapjian to the audience that his department won't use different materials in one park and not another; whatever material is chosen that will be used citywide and his Department will treat health concerns seriously. Mr. Chapjian recently announced he is leaving Long Beach for a position in Santa Barbara County. . blog comments powered by Disqus Recommend LBREPORT.com to your Facebook friends:
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