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| A view of the JW Corbett's hydric pine ecosystem |
Re: FDOT's 710 Expansion plans
Sent to Patrick Glass, FDOT
patrick.glass@dot.state.fl.us
Dated 9/20/2012
Of the alternate options presented on this road expansion plan, the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition supports FDOT in pursing the "No Build" option. While we support increased public transit, and "shared-use" plans that improve bicycle and pedestrian transit, we do not see those things justifying this expansion. In fact, we suggest the FDOT spend the public money it saves in not pursuing this expansion to make those improvements where they are most needed (not where developer and industrial and political interests dictate, as this corridor plan seems to be doing.)
The following are some of our concerns:
IMPACT TO WILDLIFE HABITAT
Constructing this road expansion involves over 570 acres of wildlife habitat negatively impacted, or completely destroyed, based on FDOT's own documents:
http://www.sr710.com/pbmc/PDF/
-Freshwater marsh was the most prevalent habitat in the corridor, totaling 185.14 acres.
-There were approximately 105 acres of hydric pine flatwoods in the study limits.
-There were approximately 97 acres of wetland scrub in the study limits.
-A total of 84.84 acres of wet prairie were delineated within the SR 710 delineation corridor.
-Mosaics of wet prairie containing either sparse cypress or small stands of cypress often neighbored the areas delineated as cypress forests: 42.77 acres
-Roadside or railroad fringe areas that also contained slash pine were classified as wetland scrub with pine: approximately 33 acres of this habitat type.
-The total acreage of cypress within the study limits was 26.27 acres
All of these habitat provide food and shelter for wildlife species, many of which are currently listed as Threaten, Endangered or Species of Special Concern.
Encroachment into this habitat for road construction will also result in an increase of roadkill incidents for many species.
The PBCEC is currently in the process of collecting independent data on this matter, as we worry that any data collected through the permitting process will be insufficient, as we have found time and time again. And the recent "streamlining" of public policy and environmental permitting will certainly not help--the appropriate state agencies were already underfunded to adequately protect listed species prior to these cuts.
Moving forward with any alternative options besides "No Build" could likely subject the state to lawsuits for violating its own laws on habitat protection.
RECREATION
This loss of habitat results in negative impacts to recreational use, as much of the above listed acreage occurs on public land used for hunting, fishing, hiking, bird-watching, and other activities. A loss of wildlife and habitat impacts the recreation opportunities that these lands exist to provide to the public.
This information is further verified in your Habitat maps: http://www.sr710.com/pbmc/
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
On top of the impacts losted above, there are another 5 "segments" to this road, which are being permitted in sections to avoid a unified review of permits and associated impacts, as illustrated here http://www.sr710.com/index2.
Other parts of this project in various segments to the north and the south have already been contested for a variety of reasons including: historical significance; imminent domain takings of private property; and "environmental justice" issues (as defined in the Environmental Justice Act, regulated federally under NEPA), such as negative impacts to historically-marginalized Black communities in Riviera Beach.
CORPORATE GLOBALIZATION
According to FDOT doc: http://www.sr710.com/pbmc/css.
"The revised study area includes The Port of Palm Beach to the City of Okeechobee in District 1. In addition, the expanded study adds considerations for... , the inland port, analysis of the global economy, economic competitiveness on a global, national and regional level including: Trade between North America, Europe, India, China."
This document is talking specifically about increasing cheap exports from environmentally-exploited countries (with less labor, health, and environmental regulations) coming through the Panama Canal into the Port of Palm Beach. This is an ethical issue of great concern which negatively impacts people around the world, including our own country.
For the reasons stated, as well as others to be presented later in the process, we will fight this road.
We will be joining with other residents, organizations and attorneys who share our concerns, and have their own. We will not stop until the plan is cancelled.
Sincerely,
Panagioti Tsolkas
PBCEC, Co-Chair
(561) 249-2071
Sent on 9/20/2012 to:
SR 710 PD&E Study
Attention: Patrick R. Glass, P.E.
Florida Department of Transportation
3400 West Commercial Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309-3421
patrick.glass@dot.state.fl.us
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