Nov. 2 last chance to submit SR76 comments

The SR76 Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) Executive Summary is not consistent with data and text in the supporting documents and does not disclose the finer attributes of the Caltrans Southern Alignment. Consider these flaws:

The DEIR engineering drawings clearly show the Existing Alignment has 50 percent more floodplain encroachment than the Southern Alignment. The southern alignment has less floodplain encroachment, fewer cultural and habitat issues, and is clearly a better choice. The costs for the southern alignment are grossly overstated as only five percent of the 2,000 acres are required for the right of way and that leaves 95 percent or 1,900 acres, mostly in the floodplain, which can be sold for agricultural purposes. Why has Caltrans hidden these facts?

The DEIR summary also states the Southern Alignment would seriously impact community character with a new road. This is a false statement. The County has defined Dulin Road as a circulation element road through Vessels, connecting to Lilac Road where Vessels currently has a gated entrance. The extension of Dulin Road to Lilac Road has been in the County plan before Monserate Country Club was developed. Why would Caltrans hide these facts? The southern alignment is not a “new” road plan.

The 76 East Section DEIR appears to contain too many flaws and inconsistencies for anyone to determine the best alignment to solve today’s problems and forecasted regional growth.

Send your comments to: Debra Soifer, Caltrans District 11, 4050 Taylor St. MS242, San Diego, CA 92110 or [email protected].

Monty Voigt