Caltrans has stacked the deck again

In the DEIR for the East Section of SR76, Caltrans indicates budget costs of $213M for the Existing Alignment versus $322M for the Southern. In the cost breakdown, the major budget difference is for purchase of right of way (ROW).

The DEIR indicates a ROW cost for the Existing Alignment of $11M, but shows a ROW cost for the Southern Alignment at $94M. Something is drastically wrong! Even if they bought the entire Vessels ranch, much of which is in flood plain, the owner would be rewarded many times over what the property is worth. The DEIR budgeted costs for admin support and biological mitiga...