Alliance for a Paving Moratorium, P.O. Box 4347, Arcata, CA 95521
Local, state and federal officials intend to pave Highway 162 through Northern California's Mendocino National Forest between Covelo, 30 miles east of Highway 101, and Willows, on Interstate 5. The new road would fragment old-growth habitat, require extensive logging, and contribute to erosion, sediment, and pollution of the Middle Fork Eel River, Black Butte River, and Cold Creek.
Federal and state dollars totalling $4.5 million have been earmarked this year for portions of the route, known as Forest Highway 7. A "total upgrade" of the road was given high priority under the Federal Lands Program for 1995. Although funding is uncertain, officials hope at least for money to study the proposals. Local Native Americans and forest activists, however, are actively opposing the project.
Arguments being used in support of the paving include transportation convenience and a perceived economic revitalizaztion through increased tourism. The latter argument is made despite the fact that nearby towns along the fully-paved Highway 101 show no signs of revitalization, and a fully-paved Highway 162 will not even be carrying nearly the traffic volume currently on Highway 101.
Bruce Anderson, editor of the local weekly Anderson Valley Advertiser, contends, "Road removal and watershed restoration would produce more, better jobs and be a better expenditure of public money than more paving and an earlier final Mendocino Forest cut."
We agree. Please help us stop this outrageous boondoggle.
Direct action might not be necessary to stop Highway 162 if we all write letters now to the Secretary of Transportation, expressing the ill effects of paving Highway 162, along with your own personal reasons for opposing this highway. Please send copies of your letter to Alliance for a Paving Moratorium (address above), and to Congressmen Hamburg and Fazio.
Secretary Pena, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 - 7th St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20590
Representative Dan Hamburg, 114 Cannon Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515
Representative Vic Fazio, 2113 Rayburn Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
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