March
9, 2007
Mr. Steve
Wilson
HDR Engineering
109 Harrison Avenue
Panama City, FL 32401-2726
Dear Mr.
Wilson:
We write
on behalf of 1000 Friends of Florida, a nonprofit growth management
advocacy organization, and Florida Wildlife Federation, the state's
largest wildlife stewardship membership organization, to comment on
the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority's proposed master
plan. We have reviewed the four alternatives developed, and are concerned
that every alternative has impacts to local government comprehensive
plans in the region without demonstrating any level of coordination
to ensure consistency with their visions for future growth in the area.
In addition, the master plan seems to have exceeded the legislative
authority given because it effectively defines the US 98 Corridor as
the entire width of the Panhandle area.
It is clear
that except for Alternative #1, the alternatives are designed to foster
new growth and development without any consideration for impacts to
significant wildlife habitats, coastal features, water resources and
natural areas. While the adopted goals call for partnerships with key
stakeholders, no information is presented to suggest that this has happened,
especially with citizen and conservation groups or even state agencies
such as the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Environmental
Protection, or the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. We found
a significant gap in the goals not addressing consistency with protection
of environmental features in the region as that is the economic foundation
of this entire area. In fact, the goals put economic development and
transportation improvements above all else without fully evaluating
and educating the public on the benefits and consequences of possible
choices. We also question the value of promoting a disaster clearance
time of 18 hours for hurricane zones within each county when most are
far below this threshold - this will simply encourage more development
in the very areas that are most likely to received significant damage
in future storm events.
There does
not seem to be any consideration of any alternative except for building
additional lanes. The alternatives do no reflect consideration of traffic
management
options or other modal options. The legislative directive to improve
mobility along US 98 seems to be translated into how can more cars be
accommodated, The objectives set are not designed for US 98; many are
system-wide and would be more appropriate to a regional/MPO planning
process and not a single road's corridor study. They basically allow
any road to be proposed anywhere in the eight county region. When the
following examples are considered, it is clear that the intent is to
focus on "roads only" solutions:
We have
raised similar concerns about FDOT's new corridor planning process,
strongly suggesting that local and regional visions need to be in place
before any roadway plans are even considered. Without this approach,
and as has happened in the past, roads will determine future growth
areas before citizens and local government even have the opportunity
to consider and evaluate their preferred patterns of development.
It is our
recommendation that the Authority not proceed with any work on alternatives
until such time as these can be carefully reconciled with affected local
and regional growth management and conservation plans. Thank you for
considering our comments.
Sincerely,
Charles
Pattison, AICP, President
1000 Friends of Florida
Manley
J. Fuller, President
Florida Wildlife Federation
Cc: Governor
Crist
DCA Secretary Pelham
