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Policy Statement This policy statement reflects the Tri-Valley's need for improved regional and statewide transportation options. It builds on the region's longstanding support for a BART extension to Livermore, while recognizing that the most productive way to support continued improvement of transportation facilities in the region is to promote the adoption of a Regional Rail Plan and the initiation of environmental review on proposed improvements. The adopted policy statement on the Draft Plan is as follows: 1. Tri-Valley PAC supports continuing evaluation of the Regional Rail Plan's recommendation for a BART extension to Isabel/Stanley and beyond PROVIDED: a. Alternatives including Isabel/Stanley, Greenville, and beyond will continue to be studied in the environmental document. b. An environmental document process can begin to be developed soon .after the adoption of the Regional Rail Plan. A key element of our support for the Regional Rail Plan's recommendations is our belief that the appropriate environmental document for a BART extension to Livermore and beyond should begin immediately after the adoption of the Regional Rail Plan. We believe this is the Tri-Valley's best hope for achieving our goals in the shortest period of time, and we look forward to participating on the technical and policy advisory groups that would be associated with that effort, and the related efforts necessary to make the other improvements recommended for our area in the Regional Rail Plan. The Policy Advisory Committee further recognizes that the development of a Regional Rail Plan for the Bay Area and the progress of High Speed Rail are related processes. We appreciate the efforts of the Regional Rail Plan project team and the High Speed Rail Authority staff to coordinate as closely as possible. The Policy Advisory Committee would like the Regional Rail Plan project team to be aware that it has taken the following position on the issues considered in the High Speed Rail Draft Bay Area EIR/EIS: 2. Tri-Valley PAC supports continued study of High Speed Rail through the Altamont Corridor on the Union Pacific corridor PROVIDED: a. There are no significant Right-of-Way takes. b. There is no major aerial structure through Pleasanton. Consideration of the Draft Plan Recommendations Overall, we find that the recommendations of the Draft Plan are consistent with the Policy Advisory Committee's own vision for the development of Rail Service in the Tri- Valley and the region as a whole. In particular, we compliment the Plan's efforts to address the travel corridors between the Central Valley, the Tri-Valley, and Santa Clara County by upgrading the ACE service in the Union Pacific Corridor. We see great advantages for the region in an enhanced regional rail service in this corridor, and particularly see great advantages to upgrading the corridor to an electrified, high-speed train standard of service. The Policy Advisory Committee believes that this option, which includes express regional overlay service provided through the Altamont pass, may present the best way Page 2 of 3