Letter to Gov. Bill Graves, Topeka, Kansas, July 3, 1999
July 23, 1999
The Honorable Governor Bill Graves
State Capitol
Topeka, KS 66612
Dear Governor Graves:
We the undersigned members of the Jayhawk Audubon Society are concerned about your recent statements regarding the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT). The Jayhawk Audubon Society does not oppose the building of a highway bypass to the south around Lawrence. We do, however, oppose constructing this road through any portion of the Haskell-Baker Wetlands located between the Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) campus and the Wakarusa River. The Jayhawk Audubon Society is a 440 member chapter of the National Audubon Society. As an organization, we have been involved in the SLT issue since the mid-1980's.
The Haskell-Baker Wetlands are a valuable treasure for Douglas County and northeast Kansas. To some people the Wetlands are an ecological resource with an incredibly diverse population of plants and animals. To others the Wetlands are a link to their cultural history. The Wetlands serve as an educational outdoor classroom and laboratory, and they provide a place for serenity, contemplation, and appreciation of nature.
The Jayhawk Audubon Society believes that the only appropriate alignment for the SLT is south of the Wakarusa River. Aligning the SLT along the proposed 31st, 35th, or 38th corridors would seriously jeopardize the integrity of the Wetlands. Building the road to the south of the river addresses the concerns of the HINU and avoids negative impacts on the Haskell-Baker Wetlands. The original Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement concluded that a south-of-the-river route was not justifiable. This conclusion continues to be presented by project officials. Since this option was never thoroughly evaluated in that document (or any other document), the Jayhawk Audubon Society believes that this conclusion was and is inadequate and not justified.=
Our members drive in this community and are concerned about traffic congestion on 23rd and 31st streets. Traffic congestion is one of the side effects of a rapidly growing community. Relieving some of this traffic involves careful planning and zoning, construction of new developments with transportation in mind, consideration of alternative forms of transportation, and improving existing traffic flow. In the interest of constructive dialogue, JAS would like to offer some alternatives to the 31st SLT route.
* Continually increasing growth in western portions of Lawrence, in addition to growth throughout the Kansas City - Lawrence - Topeka corridor, increases demands for a genuine bypass around Lawrence. The Jayhawk Audubon Society believes this fact alone more than justifies a route south of the Wakarusa River.
* Recent estimates in the Lawrence Journal World indicated that a route south of the Wakarusa River would be much more expensive than the 35th or 38th Street alignments. Considering the current deadlock, it would seem that looking at a truly feasible alternative south of the river would be much more time and cost effective, in the long run.
* True long-range planning to accommodate increased commuter traffic should involve discussions of light rail, on a route running from Topeka to Lawrence to Kansas City. While such a plan would entail involved discussions between the cities and a great commitment of resources, light rail would provide much more than a stop-gap solution to traffic problems.
* To deal with the remaining traffic on 23rd and 31st streets, JAS would like to see the state, county, and city invest in long range, traffic reducing efforts. Such efforts include an effective, user-friendly public bus system, a network of bike lanes, and improvements to and installation of more sidewalks. For every bus rider, biker, and pedestrian, there is one less car on the road.
These suggestions not only address the immediate concern of traffic on 23rd street, but address the present and future quality of life in Lawrence. Maintaining the quality of life here in Lawrence includes controlling urban sprawl, and preserving the few natural, open areas that are left for the public's enjoyment.
The Wetlands are designated a National Natural Landmark. They are one of the few natural areas in Lawrence and offer a unique recreational and educational resource. Please consider the following points that stress the importance of the Haskell-Baker Wetlands.
* The restoration of the "Haskell Bottoms" to a wetlands complex is more significant to the educational, cultural and spiritual history of Native Americans and, therefore, more "... associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our (and Native American's) history." This is despite the conclusions of the State Historic Preservation Officer that returning the wetlands to their former state, rather that maintaining them as farmed land negates their historic significance.
* There has been an enormous amount of wetland acreage lost to agriculture and development in this county over the last century, and we would find any action that would result in further loss of wetlands in this area unacceptable.
* More endangered species are dependent upon wetlands than any other single habitat in the U.S. Of an estimated original 18,000 acres of wetlands along the Wakarusa River, only approximately 600 acres remain at the Haskell-Baker Wetlands.
* Hundreds of students representing classrooms from all over northeast Kansas, and particularly Douglas County, visit the Haskell-Baker Wetlands every year for educational field trips. Also included are schools in the Kansas City area, Topeka, Lawrence, Ottawa, Baldwin, and Lecompton. Additionally, Baker University, the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, and Lawrence High School also use the Haskell-Baker Wetlands for research and educational field trips.
* We believe the students and families of Douglas County and northeast Kansas deserve to have this unique natural resource protected and saved in its remaining entirety for today's children and tomorrow's children. We believe the aesthetic, educational, and environmental benefits of preserving and protecting the wetlands far outweigh any other factors.
Governor Graves, you have an opportunity to be a champion on this issue. Your Water Quality Initiative included measures to protect and enhance existing wetlands. As you know, wetlands are critical for maintaining water quality. It is important that the Haskell-Baker Wetlands be protected and not destroyed or disrupted by this major highway project.
Jayhawk Audubon sincerely and cordially invites you and your wife and daughter to come visit and tour the wetlands with us. We invite you and your family to learn first-hand why so many people feel protective of the wetlands. Please have your staff contact Dr. Roger L. Boyd, manager of the Wetlands for Baker University, at 785-594-3172 to arrange a tour of the Wetlands.
Respectfully,
Officers, Board members, and members of the Jayhawk Audubon Society
cc: Dr. Bob Martin, President, Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence, KS 66046
Dr. Daniel M. Lambert, President, Baker University, Baldwin City, KS 66046
Representative Dennis Moore, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington DC. 20515
Dean Carlson, Sec. KS Dept. of Transportation, Topeka, KS 66612
Commissioner Charles Jones, County Commission Office, Lawrence, KS 66044
Commissioner Tom Taul, County Commission Office, Lawrence, KS 66044
Commissioner Dean Nieder, County Commission Office, Lawrence, KS 66044
Craig Weinaug, County Administrator, County Courthouse, Lawrence, KS 66044