11/16/07
While the South Lawrence Trafficway would change traffic flows in Lawrence, the construction of the new route could also result in a new image for the Baker University Wetlands.
Watch KNBU-TV's interview with Dr. Roger Boyd, senior professor of biology and directer of natural areas Inside Baker.<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/KNBU" target="_blank">Inside Baker.</a> Inside Baker.
Corky Armstrong, a road design engineer for the Bureau of Design of the Kansas Department of Transportation, said last week’s release of the Final 4(f) Evaluation and acceptance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Environmental Impact Statement completed another step in the process of preparing for construction.
“The process that we’re trying to get through is the process to clear all the environmental hurdles,” Armstrong said. “What’s happened here in the last week or so is a couple steps in that process to get these things approved as far as the environmental issues are concerned.”
The 4(f) Evaluation is a statement saying there is no other feasible or prudent alternative, Armstrong said. The evaluation names the 32nd Street Alignment B alternative through the Baker Wetlands as the best option compared to the 42nd Street Alignment A alternative south of the Wakarusa River or a no-build alternative.
“There is no money dedicated to any construction on the South Lawrence Trafficway,” Armstrong said. “What we’re trying to do is get through all the environmental requirements so we know we have a viable project, so if and when funding becomes available we’ll be able to do something with it.”
Armstrong said the final step would be completed when the Federal Highway Administration releases a Record of Decision announcing the selected alternative, which will be at least 30 days from last Friday.
The highway is meant to benefit Lawrence by providing relief to 23rd Street congestion, and Director of Natural Areas Roger Boyd said directing the road through the edge of the Baker Wetlands will bring long-term benefits that will outweigh short-term drawbacks.
“(Former Baker University President) Dan Lambert was very committed to making sure Baker was not an obstacle to the trafficway, but that the wetlands weren’t damaged,” Boyd said. “He didn’t want the bad press that Haskell received, so he wanted me to find a plan that I would be satisfied with.”
Boyd said while the highway would mean 56 acres on the northern edge of the wetlands would be developed, the university would gain over 250 acres to restore to the wetland state. He said the mitigation plan would also include $1.2 million to build a visitor’s center and additional money for Baker to purchase equipment to restore the new wetlands and maintain them in the future. Boyd said KDOT would also provide a $3 million endowment to Baker for the purpose of generating funds for maintenance of the site and personnel to operate the business center.
Senior Jordan Olsen, a wildlife biology major, said he supports the 32nd Street Alignment B alternative.
“It’s going to be negative on our wetlands right now, but in the long run after they get the mitigation complete we’ll have more wetlands,” he said. “Most of the other alignments have more negative effects than the 32nd Street (Alignment B).”
The 32nd Street Alignment B is contested because of potential environmental damage and the historical value of the area.
“There’s a pretty good possibility there will be some legal challenges filed to try to stop the project,” Armstrong said. “We don’t know in what form the challenge might come.”
Olsen said the wetlands are important educationally and environmentally.
“It’s good for Baker and especially very good for wildlife biologists like myself-biologists in general-to have hands-on experience,” Olsen said.
Boyd said the creation of a visitor’s center could add internship opportunities for biology student