2020 began with a great success with the submission of just under 20,000 comments to the BLM on the scope of the environmental impacts of the Northern Corridor Highway (NCH). We know that many CSU supporters submitted comments.
Thank you!!! (Image below: Over 40 people hand-delivered their comments to the BLM on the final day of the comment period!) All the energy and effort that CSU and many of you devoted to scoping comments was the opening step in a process that will extend throughout 2020. The federal environmental review outcome is very important to CSU and everyone opposed to the NCH. If the environmental review process rejects the county’s NCH plan, the permit for a highway right of way through federal lands will be denied. If it is approved, we will most likely see the desecration of precious habitat, scenic and recreational land that was supposed to be protected in perpetuity. An approval would also create a dangerous precedent for other National Conservation Areas across the West that face various challenges.
We must stay on top of this environmental review process! From a public perspective, the next important step will be sometime in this spring when the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is released for public comment. CSU will carefully follow the process as it unfolds. We will organize a commenting process when the draft EIS is released. This commenting period will be even more important than the scoping comments we just completed.
A final decision on an EIS should be made by the Department of the Interior late in 2020 or early in 2021. In the meantime, we encourage you to express your concerns about the NCH to your County Commissioners and city council members. Clearly these officials will have an influence on the final decision to commit over a $150 million in funds for a highway that is not needed. The CSU position on the NCH is presented in the last section of this email..
Please write a letter, send an email, or schedule a visit with an elected official. Take a picture of your letter, email, or meeting and send to board@conserveswu.org so that we can share on social media and spread the word. Together, we can defend Red Cliffs and support our local economy and quality of life.
Many of you are aware that the Trump administration is attempting to relax environmental review requirements for “infrastructure projects” (NY Times Report). Our understanding at this point is that this change will not affect the NCH review. However, it is easy to imagine that officials would use this change in policy to dilute or circumvent the public environmental review process. CSU will keep you posted.
CSU Position on the Northern Corridor Highway
The Northern Corridor violates the prior agreements and purpose of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area/ Desert Reserve
It not only would destroy the habitat that was promised to be protected in order to enable development throughout the county, but would damage recreation, scenery and quality of life
The concept of a proposed “Zone 6” between Santa Clara and Sun River fails to mitigate damage that would be caused by the highway
The Northern Corridor Highway is unnecessary
Stated reason for the highway: increasing congestion at I-15 exit 10 (Green Springs) and 8 (St George Blvd-1000E-Red Hills Pkwy)
If the predicted congestion is caused by east-west traffic along the north side of the metro area, between Hurricane and Ivins/Santa Clara, as stated by the county’s purpose and need statement, there is a better solution: connect Red Hills Parkway directly to I-15 via a “flyover” interchange near 1000E.
If the predicted congestion is caused by traffic from the NE (Hurricane) N (Brio & Green Springs) and NW (Ivins/Santa Clara) to the central shopping-employment-DSU-medical area (St George & Washington City), improve Red Hills Pkwy between 1000E and exit 13 with efficient intersections to eliminate stops, add more I-15 underpasses, upgrade traffic flow downtown St George.
SUMMER IN WINTER WINE TASTING
WITH THE DAMMERON VALLEY WINE CLUB
Sunday, January 26th 4-6pm Dammeron Valley Community Center 1137 Dammeron Valley Dr. East
DONATION: $10/PERSON
ADULTS OVER 21 ONLY Please bring an appetizer, bottle of your favorite wine or beverage of choice. Can pay at door.
All the energy and effort that CSU and many of you devoted to scoping comments was the opening step in a process that will extend throughout 2020. The federal environmental review outcome is very important to CSU and everyone opposed to the NCH. If the environmental review process rejects the county’s NCH plan, the permit for a highway right of way through federal lands will be denied. If it is approved, we will most likely see the desecration of precious habitat, scenic and recreational land that was supposed to be protected in perpetuity. An approval would also create a dangerous precedent for other National Conservation Areas across the West that face various challenges.
