Critics blast MX,
say impact ignored
Study group
targets system
By HARRY ESTEAVE
Of the Emerald
The MX Missile System is again the
target of public criticism following the
release of the project's environmental
impact statement (EIS).
Opponents of the Air Force's
proposed multibillion-dollar defense
project call the 10-volume document
inconclusive and misleading, while
members of the staff that prepared the
EIS have labeled it a "whitewash.”
Locally, Barbara Powell of the
University’s Survival Center has
formed a student group to study the
EIS.
Powell says the Air Force did not
spend enough time on the EIS to
make an adequate analysis. Her six
studen}<^roup will analyze the EIS and
other government documents.
The group plans to submit its find
ings to the Environmental Protection
Agency.
The MX missile project “is not just a
whim,” Powell warns.
"It's a very serious matter that's
going to cost billions of dollars. Just
because it’s not in Oregon doesn't
mean it’s not going to have a negative
effect.”
One EIS staff member was quoted
as saying the document was prepared
‘‘simply to ma)<e the Air Force’s
preferred deployment plan look
good."
A staff scientist also claimed his
reports were "changed by the man
agement to eliminate specific refer
ence to adverse impacts.”
Air Force officials declined to com
ment on these charges.
An EIS is required for any govern
ment project that may significantly
alter its natural surroundings. The MX
project involves a massive area in
Utah and Nevada about the size of
Pennsylvania.
Plans for the giant defense system,
which the Air Force proudly bills as
“the largest construction project ever
undertaken by man," call for 200
moveable MX missiles and 4,600
o
Emerald graphic
separate underground launching
sites. A network of underground rail
road tracks would connect the
launching sites, enabling the Air
Force to change a missile's position at
will.
Because of the shell-game set-up,
Air Force planners say only a fraction
of the MX missiles would be destroyed
by Soviet attack, thus justifying the
project’s enormous expense.
But Powell says the MX system
wouldn't be a “defense against nu
clear war. That notion is absurd.”
While the Air Force puts the cost of
the MX project at $33 billion, outside
estimates differ. Predictions from
congressional sources range from
$56 billion to $100 billion.
Apart from the tremendous dollar
costs, citizens living around the
proposed construction site and envir
onmentalists from across the country
are alarmed by the potential damage
the project could cause. They fear the
massive construction would consume
the area’s fragile resources,
especially water.
Citizens who reside in the small,
tight-knit communities of Utah’s Great
Basin area say their present lifestyle
would be ruined by the sudden over
whelming population increase that is
sure to accompany the MX project.
Council ponders buying
art for new city buildings
Eugene artists could find their work
decorating new public buildings and a
little extra money lining their pockets if
the City Council approves an art-pur
chasing plan now under consideration.
Councilor Emily Schue asked the
council Wednesday to approve a resolu
tion that would set aside a percentage of
the construction costs of some new city
buildings to purchase art works for their
decoration.
The council will decide the proposal’s
language at a future meeting.
Although the councilors quickly
voiced support for Schue’s proposal,
they were undecided on what percen
tage of construction costs should be set
aside or how the money should be al
located.
“I was slightly embarrassed to learn
that we didn’t have an ordinance like that
already,” said Mayor Gus Keller.
During a public hearing on the issue,
Eugene photographer David Bayles told
the council dedicating part of building
construction funds for art would create
jobs in Eugene.
“The kinds of jobs art brings are very
desirable jobs,” Bayles said. “The net
effect is seen in the quality of life."
In other business, the council unan
imously approved an ordinance adopting
a supplemental budget for the current
fiscal year.
The supplemental budget will not
require levying any new taxes and will be
funded from previously uncommitted
funds.
In addition, a Lane Transit District
representative asked the council to ap
prove a resolution encouraging citizens
to attend a series of neighborhood
meetings on possible LTD route
changes.
LTD is reviewing its Eugene-area ser
vice before redesigning its existing
routes. LTD has predicted additional
service reductions for fiscal 1981.
Although the council declined to pass
a resolution for LTD, Keller said the
council would send LTD a letter of sup
port.
Community-service club holds
organizational meeting tonight
Three University students are having a
rough time establishing a chapter of a
community service club on campus.
In fact, only one student attended an
organizational meeting last week for
Circle K International.
Another meeting will be held tonight at
7:30 p.m. in the EMU Forum. A member
ship of at least 15 students is required to
establish a student club.
"It could be disinterest with commun
ity service or anti-institutionalism. I don't
know," says club organizer Robert Flagg
of the poor response.
"In some cases, the University is still
politically active, but it's a sideline-type
political activism.”
Circle K’s activities include outings
with handicapped children and senior
citizens and fundraisers for charity or
ganizations. Members make a commit
ment of about two hours per month.
Flagg says he got involved with the
Kiwanis-sponsored club during high
school.
One of Flagg’s Circle K activities was
taking the patients of a local nursing
home bowling. Although the patients
were confined to wheelchairs, specially
designed ramps enabled some of them to
bowl 260, he says.
"That really freaked me out,” Flagg
says. "I'm lucky to bowl 110.”
In addition to student members, the
club is also looking for two or three
faculty advisors. For more information
call Gary Peiss at 485-1032.
No-smoking rule
hits Mac Court
starting tonight
Smoking is no longer allowed in
MacArthur Court, starting with
tonight’s Oregon-USC basketball
game.
Formerly, fans needing a drag
were allowed the hallways, but the
new Eugene smoking ordinance
and existing University policy for
bids that, according to the athletic
department.
And smokers who step outside
may find themselves locked out —
the athletic department does not
allow people to leave the building
during games and then return
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