www.BeverlyHillsCitizen.org is an online publication of the California-based Fund for the Environment.

Founded in 1970, as a tax-deductible 501 (c)(3) organization, it is dedicated to protecting, restoring and enhancing California's environment.

Among our concerns:

» Appropriate land use planning including minimizing traffic impacts

» Improving air and water quality, water conservation and restoration of historic parks

» Coastal and wetlands preservation

» Proper care and replacement of street trees

» Minimizing noise pollution, maximizing recycling and achieving rate equity in solid waste management

» Minimizing involuntary exposure to elevated levels of the electro-magnetic fields (EMFs) from power lines and radio frequency (RF) from cell tower antennas in our urban midst.

EFFECTIVE PUBLIC EXPRESSION

We are also working to assure public access to cable TV as an essential means of implementing the potential of First Amendment expression for all residents.

That means the City and/or the cable company's providing the facilities to produce one's own cable TV programming. This is on a first-come, first-serve, non-commercial basis for both local non-profit organizations and individuals.

QUALITY OF LIFE

Much of our work has focused on air and water quality and water supply, land use, acquisition of parklands and restoration of historic gardens.

We were the lead amicus in the federal suit to clean up Santa Monica Bay and upgrade the Hyperion Sewage Treatment Plant.

We are now working to defeat the inappropriate use of inadequately treated reclaimed sewage effluent proposed for injection into our potable supplies.

Access to beaches and clean coastal waters is also high on our list of environmental and social justice priorities.

ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS (EMFs) AND
RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) EMISSIONS FROM
CELL TOWERS IN OUR URBAN MIDST

We have been represented on the CPUC's and the State Dept. of Health Services panels on the possible adverse health consequences of exposure to elevated levels of Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs).

We are working to minimize involuntary exposures to elevated levels of radio frequencies emitted by cell tower antennas in our urban midst.

UTILITY RATE EQUITY

We have also long sought water and solid waste rate equity and personal accountability for the residents of Beverly Hills.

Currently, one family which fills a whole, huge "gruncher" in the alley, is charged the same amount as the person who lives alone but takes the time and trouble to sort his or her recyclables. The charge is according to the size of the lot, not the amount of solid waste generated by each household. Sewage charges are similarly unfairly calculated.

It is according to a percentage of the water used on a property. If only two people are adding to the City's sewage burden they are charged as much as their neighbor with a large family. It may be that the smaller household is using most of its water on maintaining its landscape, a benefit to the overall community.

Thank you.

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