HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-06-17 Public Comment - J. Michlin - Engine EmissionsFirst Name Joan
Last Name Michlin
Email Address joan.michlin@gmail.com
Phone Number 406-600-8593
Comments
July 06, 2017
Commissioners,
I’m sure you’ve noticed the smog accumulation causing part of our mountain range to slowly disappear from sight.
We live in a bowl which allows this to easily occur under the right conditions…something like Los Angeles.
This smog is caused by several factors, as you are aware. The use of wood burning fireplaces; forest fires; energy produced by the burning of coal; truck and automobile emissions; gas powered commercial and smaller
lawnmowers, weed-whackers, leaf-blowers, snow-blowers and other equipment; airplanes; fireworks; chemical
sprays, snowmobiles, and others.
While we may not be able to control all pollutants in our environment there is one that stands out as a major
cause of poor air quality which we can do something about…engine emissions.
MT is one of a few states with absolutely no emission standards “Smog Checks”. Vehicles are not required to meet
any safety standards either. We are free to spew nasty poisons into the air which we all then breath into our lungs.
No questions asked. Those big trucks that we have all seen, engines running, in the parking lots both winter and
summer…. Why do we allow idling engines which serve no purpose other than keeping the engine warm in winter
and the interior cool in summer while the owner is nowhere in sight? Most damaging are the trucks and autos
which spew visible noxious exhaust which offends the lungs, nose an eyes.
A fact that exacerbates all this…unleashed growth. Bozeman does not have the proper infrastructure in place
needed to accommodate such rapid growth. -Our roads are not laid out
in a true “grid system”, the foundation of good traffic flow. -We do not have on-way streets that run the length
and width of the city. - Our traffic lights are not synchronized allowing for a flow of traffic with minimum stops and
idling. -Many streets do not have needed “right turn” lanes in place. -Construction projects take too long and cause
major traffic problems….and on and on.
We do not offer air quality numbers here in Bozeman. If we did, I have no doubt, it would not look good.
Please respond with ideas and possible solutions. My frustration grows with each passing year.
Thank you,