Now that Utah residents are again in the midst of the winter’s annual yucky inversion and its repercussion of extremely poor air quality, this should prompt legislators to be even more selective and careful in strategic planning of the inland port to mitigate health impacts. If this cannot be done, it’s best to abort this project altogether. If Utah leaders value quality of life for themselves and for the people living here, then the top priority for Utah should be reducing emissions and air pollution, not exacerbating it.
The negative impacts of continuing with the inland port project result in long-term damaging consequences to the health of our families and our economy. When the Salt Lake Valley becomes notorious for bad air and frequent ER or hospital visits for our kids, then no one will want to come visit, live here or raise a family here.
As a brand-new mom to my 4-week-old baby girl, having a healthy environment and clean air in my community where I will raise my daughter is of critical importance. Legislators should rethink what their values truly are if they are to be representative of the people who elected them. When I hear about protests to the inland port project, I ask myself one question. If I were a legislator, what is the best decision I can make for the people of Salt Lake City who I represent?
Candice Sandness
West Jordan