from Save Little Lake Valley
We knew it would happen at some point. Unfortunately, it came without a serious consideration of downsizing the project.
The US Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to allow CalTrans to resume full construction of the Willits Bypass. The decision came after a series of negotiating sessions between the two agencies that also involved at least two powerful elected officials.
Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) played a key role in making the agreement happen. His office released a statement today concerning the Bypass.
“I have personally met with and had multiple phone calls with officials from both agencies, and today I convened an emergency conference call that included the key leaders from both agencies as well as my predecessor and colleague, Representative Thompson,” Huffman’s statement reads, in part.
In interactions with SOLLV members, Congressman Huffman has expressed interest in helping to reduce the environmental harm wrought by the Bypass. In the eyes of many SOLLV members, Huffman has shown his true colors.
The agreement between the Corps and CalTrans revolves around CalTrans having made promises to accelerate its implementation of the wetlands “mitigation plan,” to come up with new wetlands mitigation at some point, and to conduct a study of ways to reduce the amount of fill in the wetlands.
These are the latest in the steady stream of empty words emanating from this project. We all know how good CalTrans is at keeping its promises.
The Army Corps has yet to sign off on CalTrans’ application to haul soil from the old Apache Mill site, the agency’s preferred choice among two potential “borrow sites” for filling in the wetlands of Quail Meadows in north Little Lake Valley, although it seems certain they will before long.
The Army Corp stood behind their suspension of Bypass construction for all of three weeks, from June 20th to July 10th.
- Read Caltrans’ letter to the Army Corps summarizing the agreement here.
