By Christian Boyce Santa Monica notion of installing artificial turf (which was not part of the final environmental impact report submitted to the council) in place of natural grass seems completely at odds with “sustainability.” Natural grass would appear to be a much better choice for several reasons (as compared to artificial turf, it significantly reduces storm water runoff and increases groundwater infiltration due to inherent permeability; it cools the environment via evapotranspiration, reducing reliance on air conditioners; it traps dust particles that can be expected in an urban airport environment and washes them down into the soil, preventing further movement; and it reduces carbon dioxide levels — as well as airborne pollutants — and produces oxygen via photosynthesis). Why, then, does the City Council, almost without exception, appear at least somewhat interested in using artificial turf, yet almost completely not interested in providing subterranean parking which could ameliorate the loss of Santa Monica College’s lot? Creating a new park offers quite an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to the principles of sustainability — and in this case, it’s an opportunity lost.
To me and Mr. Webster, a “mandate” is “an authoritative command or instruction, especially a written one.” That seems pretty clear. But, it also seems pretty clear that the Sustainable City program “mandate” isn’t consistently guiding city staff nor the City Council, and that makes me wonder why not. Maybe the Sustainable City program isn’t a mandate at all. Maybe it’s merely a bunch of dreams that we’d like to have come true by themselves. One would guess that the Sustainable City program is somewhere in between — something less than a mandate, and more than a dream — but it seems, by staff’s and the City Council’s recent actions, that we’re a bit too close to the “dream” end of the spectrum, and that’s not where we ought to be.
The Sustainable City program is something that Santa Monica should rightly take pride in. The goals are noble, and more than that, essential — and in many ways significant progress has been made. Sometimes, though, other considerations seem to take precedence and sustainability takes a back seat. At times like those — like these — we should do what we can to push the pendulum back toward sustainability. That’s why I’ve written this letter. I hope it makes a difference.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 24, 2003. Read the original PDF.