Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) document the environmental impact of a specific project including alternatives. In the case of EIRs supporting Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinances a specific solution to a plastic bag litter problem is proposed that requires a ban on plastic carryout bags and imposes a fee on paper bags in order to encourage (i.e. coerce) shoppers into using reusable bags. The environmental analysis to support this proposed solution is never provided. For example, if plastic carryout bags are bad and should be eliminated, then an analysis should be provided to show that using paper bags instead of plastic bags results in an environmental impact that requires mitigation by reducing the use of paper bags and using an alternative product. That analysis is never performed or provided. In fact, the objectives of the EIR specifically prevent that analysis and alternative from ever being analyzed. If brought up during the public comment period, the response is that it does not meet the objectives. In other words the objectives are cleverly used to defraud the public of an important analysis and a legitimate alternative solution. Instead of impartially evaluating alternative solutions, someone else’s pre-conceived solution is shoved down your throat by misguided public officials.
To read more of this controversial article click on the following link: Bag Bans Defrauding The Public Of Reasonable Alternative Solutions.