To environmentalists and those in the know, wetlands are an
integral part of every ecosystem[1].
To others, wetland restoration and preservation is just another excuse for the
U.S. federal government to encroach on the private rights of U.S. citizens and
social progress in the U.S (i.e., build, build, build!). For the latter, the
Army Corps of Engineers gave them another reason to moan on Wednesday when the
corps announced it would not permit the Virginia Department of Transportation
(VDOT) to contract out a $1.4 billion plan to construct a new, tolled U.S. 460.
The corps denied VDOT’s project because “The Army Corps of
Engineers remains unconvinced” that VDOT has picked the best route to minimize
damage on wetlands.[2]
According to Tom Walker, regulatory branch chief for the
Corps of Engineer’s Norfolk district, “We haven’t been getting the information
that we’ve been asking for.” In other words, VDOT hasn’t been eager to pick
alternate routes based on environmental concerns.
Gov. Bob McDonnell has made the proposed toll road a
priority, arguing that the 55-mile highway is a pathway to reducing congestion
on I-64, a hurricane evacuation route, a safety upgrade for motorists, and of
course a money-maker for the state.[3]
Amazingly, the Corps of Engineers has expressed its concerns
with VDOT’s route selection for a new U.S. 460 since 2005.[4]
Out of the three routes under consideration, the corps concluded that the least
environmentally damaging, most practical route was not chosen.
Thus, either some folks in VDOT are unconcerned about
preserving wetlands or at least 6 years worth of corps concerns about the route
selection for U.S. 460 have gone unheard.
Unfortunately for VDOT, they do not have the final say over
whether or not their route selection is the least environmentally damaging. And
unfortunately for King McDonnell, he can’t destroy more of Virginia’s
environment just yet.
[1] http://www.reefed.edu.au/home/students/web_quest/exploring_wetlands/why_are_wetlands_important
[2] http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/us-460-plan-hits-speed-bump-over-wetlands
[3] http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/us-460-plan-hits-speed-bump-over-wetlands
[4] http://hamptonroads.com/2012/10/us-460-plan-hits-speed-bump-over-wetlands
No comments:
Post a Comment