[Vision2020] Group seeks different bend for US 95

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of today's (April 17, 2015) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

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Group seeks different bend for US 95
Fight against state's route for wider road south of Moscow reaching critical point
About 50 people attending the annual meeting of the Paradise Ridge Defense Coalition on Thursday night focused on how to stop the Idaho Transportation Department from carrying out its preferred plan to realign and widen U.S. Highway 95 south of Moscow to Thorncreek Road.
The coalition is vehemently opposed to the plan that would use a 6 1/2 mile route referred to as "E-2."
Several key members of the coalition set up displays in a meeting room of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse in Moscow and fielded questions about topics such as recreation, area history and numerous environmental characteristics of the location.
Coalition member Steve Flint talked about safety issues in areas surrounding E-2 that don't seem to be adequately addressed: potential for more collisions with big game, weather-related accidents because of heavier snowfall in that area and continued accidents on the portion of U.S. 95 that would become a county road.
"ITD claims E-2 would be safer," he said. "That's not the case."
The project could reach the decision phase by or during the fall. Notice in the Federal Register of release of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and the 30-day review period would come months ahead of the decision.
"We'll be watching for it," said Al Poplawsky, a member of the coalition.
He and other members easily recited a long list of their concerns about what could happen as a result of the ITD's presumed choice of E-2. Conditions on Reisenauer Hill won't be resolved, water and other environmental problems could arise, more people would be displaced and there would be additional noise and pollution affecting those who remain near the favored new route.
U.S. Department of Interior stated in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement that E-2 "would have the greatest impact to the Palouse Prairie, a nationally recognized critically endangered ecosystem."
The coalition prefers a route referred to as "C-3," further west yet still east of the existing highway. Members said other government agencies have said during earlier planning phases they prefer this route, including the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"What would it take to influence the ITD?" Pat Rathmann asked.
Poplawsky anticipates the final choice will be E-2. And Diane Baumgart, also part of the group, said the next major hope for finding a way to stop the presumed route is finding a good legal argument based on flaws in the final document, such as poor responses to written questions about the plan.
"What's going to happen to water in the area?" asked Bill Goesling. "Water's a big issue. There's potential for water pollution."
It was also a meeting for the coalition to add new members. Public awareness about the plan and efforts to persuade more people, groups and even government officials to consider an alternative other than E-2 also is important right now as the project reaches a critical point, Baumgart said.
The coalition will host a guided wildflower hike on Paradise Ridge at 1:30 p.m. May 31. Only members of the coalition are invited.
For details about the coalition, visit http://paradise-ridge-defense.org/

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"US-95 Realignment Panel" (February 25, 2013)
http://www.moscowcares.com/us95/022513_US95RealignmentPanel.htm

Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"There's room at the top they are telling you still.
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill."

- John Lennon
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