The YWRC recognizes the importance of a clean environment to the overall quality of life in the Mahoning Valley. Neither people nor corporations want to locate or remain in an area that have an unsafe water supply, a polluted landscape or an unhealthy atmosphere.

However, environmental concerns need to be carefully weighed against the economic realities of our times. Tighter emission control standards are expensive for business to implement and maintain, and often put American firms at a disadvantage with their foreign competitors.

Contrary to public opinion, Ohio has made improvements in air and water quality in recent years and available research indicates that progress will continue into the foreseeable future. Since 1970, Ohio has seen significant reductions in levels of carbon monoxide, lead, ozone, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter. Additionally, the overall compliance rate for Ohio’s public water systems improved by 5% in 1999 compared to 1998. Sine 1997, the state has seen overall 16% improvement in Ohio’s compliance with water quality standards.

To maximize the attractiveness of the Mahoning Valley as a place to live and work, the YWRC will be an advocate for scientifically sound environmental policies and regulations that will encourage not only a healthy environment, but allow for continued economic growth. Specifically, the YWRC will work:

• With state and local officials to maximize the amount of funding received by the Mahoning Valley from the Clean Ohio Fund, and other grant programs, to encourage land preservation and restoration and to create recreational opportunities for local residents.



• To ease the restrictions on development of brownfield sites and to create programs and funding sources to encourage and facilitate their redevelopment.



• To strengthen the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s Voluntary Action Program so that it provides businesses, public entities and developers with meaningful immunity for problems identified during a noncompulsory environmental audit.



• To oppose adoption of any agreements with foreign nations which tighten environmental regulations for US firms, while ignoring the problems in developing nations.



• To support programs and policies that will allow the state to comply with federal Clean Air Standards.



• To develop good public policy in relation to the nation’s water supply and to create funding sources for water and sewer infrastructure projects through reauthorization of the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act, with an emphasis on system preservation and upgrades.



• To promote awareness of all environmental concerns, especially urban sprawl, population growth, recycling, water shed protection and other issues relating to sustainable development.



• To oppose changes to the Clean Air Standards that are not based upon sound science and that will not measurably improve air quality; and to ensure that a thorough examination of methodology and technology is conducted before any areas are designated as being out of attainment with the Clean Air Standards.