Posted: August 18th, 2008

Sacramento, CA – Senator Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) released the following statement upon hearing the California Department of Conservation’s request for additional time to review new modifications to the Baldwin HillsOil Field’s Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and the proposed Community Standards District.

“It has come to my attention that the Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) has formally requested the Board of Supervisors extend the public review and comment period for the Environmental Impact Report and proposed Community Standards District for the Baldwin Hills Oil Fields to allow the state Attorney General’s office to review a number of legal questions and issues. I want to strongly reiterate my call for the extension as an issue this important requires a process that is consistent with state law, transparent and maintains public confidence.

“When a responsible agency such as the Department of Conservation has not received notification of any proper modifications to the EIR and Community Standards District and has not been afforded the opportunity to review them, additional time must be granted to allow an adequate and thorough evaluation of the changes and the entirety of the documents. There are a number of complex legal and environmental issues that need to be answered before an informed decision on the project can be made.

“Given the proximity to a huge urban population and public concerns about the environmental impact of the oil fields, it is extremely important that every precaution be taken to ensure that all decisions regarding this project are made with accurate and complete information. Moreover, residents of the surrounding community, who will be most impacted by additional oil development, deserve and should be afforded additional time to read and comment on the EIR and Community Standards District. It is on their behalf that I initially requested the extension and will continue to call for it.”