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ACTION ALERT:

Tell the California Transportation Commission to Drop Funding for the Richardson Grove Project

It’s been 17 years since Caltrans first proposed to pave over portions of Richardson Grove State Park. Despite the Project being held up in court (again), Caltrans is asking for more money from the state. Help us tell the California Transportation Commission to defund the project.

A lot can happen in 17 years. At the beginning of our advocacy, we led with the common-sense notion that cutting and paving over the root system of ancient redwoods was harmful to those trees. In 2020 and 2021, research was published that confirmed our suspicion. In examining tree density and the rings from cored trees near Highway 101, researchers were able to determine that road construction near old-growth trees negatively affected the growth of those trees (i.e., smaller tree rings indicating stress), and areas near road construction also had more dead tops and fallen trees, both indicating that impacts from construction were severe enough to kill trees in part or whole.

In those 17 years, the “purpose and need” for the project has changed dramatically. When Caltrans first proposed the Richardson Grove Project, there was only one way for oversized STAA trucks to come into and out of the North Coast (Highway 101 through Oregon). Now, there is one more route open to STAA trucks (Highway 299) and there will soon be another (Highway 197/199).

It is time to reexamine whether the Richardson Grove Project is right for the community. Please help us tell the California Transportation Commission to reject Caltrans’ bid for even more funding.

Bonus: If you are able, the California Transportation Commission is meeting this week on October 17th and 18th to discuss additional funding for the project. Unfortunately, it is not clear which date the Richardson Grove Project will be heard

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Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) is a tax-exempt non-profit organization, under the section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and therefore all charitable donations are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

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California Transportation Commission

Subject: Please Drop Funding for Richardson Grove Project

Message:

Dear Commissioners, I am one of the thousands of people who oppose the Richardson Grove Project because of the risks that the project poses to old-growth redwoods located in Richardson Grove State Park. This project has been controversial since its outset in 2007 and has been the subject of repeated litigation, which has delayed the project. At issue is the agency’s conclusion that road construction, including the cutting through and paving over the shallow root system of old-growth redwoods won’t materially impact these trees. New science has emerged that confirms that these kinds of road construction activities are known to have impacted the growth and survival of other old-growth redwood trees. Litigation concerning this project is ongoing. I believe that the purpose and need for this project has also changed. The Richardson Grove Project was initially proposed because of a lack of STAA route into and out of the area. But in the 17 years since this project was originally proposed, two new routes have either been improved to allow for STAA access (the “Buckhorn Summit Project” on Highway 299) or have been approved and are awaiting construction (the “197/199 Project” on Highways 197/199). I believe that the CTC should reassess whether this project is desirable given the long history of public opposition to this project and because of improvements elsewhere that facilitate STAA traffic through Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Please vote no on new PS&E funding. Thank you,

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Environmental Information Protection Center (EPIC) is a tax-exempt non-profit organization, under the section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and therefore all charitable donations are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

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ACTION ALERT:

Tell the California Transportation Commission to Drop Funding for the Richardson Grove Project

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