South Lawrence Trafficway Timeline *
- 6/69 - The Department of Interior designates the Baker Wetlands as a National Natural Landmark.
- 8/72 - The County Planning Office proposes a Trafficway around Lawrence. The long-range road plan shows preferred route of the trafficway south of the Wakarusa River (SOR).
- 1975 - Douglas County and Lawrence approve "Plan 1995", including the proposed Trafficway located SOR.
- 11/85-4/86 - Three public meetings are held on the South Lawrence Trafficway (SLT). The preferred alignment is on 31st street. An Environmental Assessment (EA) is issued.
- 2/87 - A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is issued for the SLT.
- 5/87 - The Jayhawk Audubon Society (JAS) sends a letter to the division administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) commenting on the DEIS and requesting an investigation of a SOR alignment.
- 1/90 - The Final EIS is approved and the Record of Decision is issued recommending a 31st Street alignment through the Haskell-Baker Wetlands.
- 9/91 - Public meeting at the Douglas County courthouse. JAS expresses concerns about drainage, access, and the creation of a green corridor.
- 9/92 - Public hearing on SLT design. Project Manager John Pasley states that Haskell's property is not affected.
- 12/92 - The Corps of Engineers gives the KS Dept. of Transportation (KDOT) a wetland fill permit and does not notify Haskell.
- 2/93 - The Northern Crawfish Frog, Federation to Rescue our Green Space (FROG), and Clark H. Coan file suit in Federal district court challenging the FEIS.
- 3/94 - JAS sends letter to US Attorney opposing any SLT alignment through the wetland.
- 4/94 - JAS and other groups sponsor forum about SLT. Boardwalk opens. A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is ordered prepared by Douglas County Commissioners. The new boardwalk and kiosk are vandalized. A metal storage shed is destroyed and a beaver is found shot.
- 12/94 - Roger Boyd issued a Position Document on the potential impacts of the SLT on the wetlands. Haskell released document entitled " All things are connected: A response to the 31st Street Alignment."
- 10/95 - Draft SEIS issued. A SOR alignment is not included.
- 11/95 - Preparation and distribution of educational publication on the wetlands: JAS, Haskell, DCPA, Sierra Club, KNRC, KU environs. The publication advocates reviewing SOR alignment. Public hearing on 3 alignments North of the River (NOR). Conditional support given to (no opposition to) 38th St. option by Haskell and Baker Universities.
- 2/96 - FHA memo to KDOT declared the eastern leg of SLT to be dead for the time being.
- 3/96 - EPA comments on the SLT to FHA citing serious concerns about impacts to the environment and spiritual values of the wetlands by all three proposed alignments.
- 11/96 - Western leg of SLT opened to traffic. FHWA threatens to withdraw from the SLT project if no further federal funds are requested. County supports 31st alignment.
- 12/96 - The County began making plans to move ahead with 31st Street alignment without FHA funding thereby attempting to avoid environmental issues.
- 1/97 - JAS sends letter to Sen. Brownback regarding SEIS status, federal/state funding split, and SOR alignment.
- 2/97 - Letter from National Audubon to Secretary of the Army stating opposition to 38th St. alignment. Letter poses concerns about 31st alignment and requests consideration of SOR alignment. FHA withdraws from the SEIS process in an effort to "de-federalize" the SLT project.
- 7/97 - JAS press release outlining attributes of the wetlands. Permanent injunction banning further construction of the highway until a SEIS has been completed showing the road's effect on Haskell and the wetlands.
- 1/98 - Article about Baker Wetlands vs. SLT appeared in Jan-Feb issue of Audubon magazine.
- 4/98 - JAS holds panel discussion on SLT, wetlands, and river.
- 6/98 - U.S. Rep. Snowbarger inserted a proviso in the Federal Highway bill that exempted the SLT from environmental regulations.
- 11/98 - U.S. District Court of Appeals upheld injunction on SLT and nullified Snowbarger's proviso.
- 1/99 - FHA decided to take lead in completing the SEIS.
- 5/99 - Public hearing regarding the draft section 4(f) evaluation of the SLT. JAS registers concerns about significant damage to wetland without mitigation for noise and visual impacts. The Haskell Board of Regents "totally oppose" the 31st St. alignment but do not state a position on the alternatives at this time.
- 6/99 - JAS letter to Rep. Moore expressing concerns about SLT and SEIS process. Dennis Moore responds and directs questions to FHA and EPA.
- 7/99 - JAS letter to Governor Graves opposing SLT through wetland, requesting review of SOR alignment.
- 10/99 - Haskell Board of Regents voted to oppose all three NOR alignments.
- 5/00 - FHA issued Record of Decision for SEIS choosing the "No Build" alternative.
- 6/00 - JAS meets with Mike Rees, counsel for KDOT, to discuss SOR alignment. Mike Rees refuses to discuss the SOR alignment.
- 8/00 - JAS meets with Dan Lambert, president of Baker University, to discuss protection of the wetlands.
- 9/00 - County and City announce plans to develop 31st St. as an urban arterial to connect SLT and K-10 to the east.
- 1/01 - JAS meets with KDOT consultants Ted Cable and Virgil Brack to hear a presentation of a new wetland mitigation plan. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce vote to support a SOR alignment.
- 2/01 - Editor of Lawrence Journal World denounces efforts of KDOT to revive SLT NOR alignments
* This timeline highlights the involvement of JAS, and may not include all events related to the SLT.