3:00 p.m., Thursday, March 4, 1999
For further information contact: Al Matano, Four Lakes Group Conservation Chair - 238-3045.
The Sierra Club today reiterated its opposition to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's (WISDOT) proposal to construct a four lane highway in the corridor of U.S. Highway 12 from Middleton to Sauk City.
"Whatever deal is in the works, the Sierra Club is not a party to it," stated Al Matano, Four Lakes Group Conservation Chair.
Beverly Speer, Four Lakes Group Chair, stated that "We voted unanimously to restate our opposition to the project. Nothing has changed to make the project desirable or acceptable."
The Sierra Club leaders were reacting to news reports of behind-the-scenes negotiations to broker an agreement between opponents of the Highway 12 project and WISDOT and the Federal Highways Administration. The proposal is intended to head off efforts to get the President's Council on Environmental Quality to intervene on behalf of the opponents.
Brett Hulsey, Midwest Office Representative and a member of the Dane County Board of Supervisors, stated that "This is a victory for the roadbuilders who gave $680,000 to the Governor." Hulsey did concede that the negotiations had gained some $16 million for parks and farm preservation, protections for the Baraboo Hills, and funding for commuter rail studies. However, Hulsey concluded, "This will ultimately lead to more sprawl and traffic, which threatens our families and neighborhoods. We support immediate safety improvements and completing Dane County commuter rail and public transportation before and more four lanes are built in Dane County."
John Hendrick, a member of the Dane County Board of Supervisors and the Regional Planning Commission, stated that "We can make the highway safe by constructing a completely new 2-lane divided highway with frequent passing lanes. The Department of Transportation will not settle for safety - they insist on constructing capacity for additional cars and trucks."
Matano singled out the President's Council on Environmental Quality for criticism, stating that "This agency should be renamed the Council of Roadbuilder Convenience. CEQ abdicated their duty to look at all the alternatives. Rather than implementing his Smart Growth initiative, the President has returned to business as usual - building highways that lead to sprawl."
Ultimately, Matano indicated, "We have made a commitment to our members to oppose this project, because it would be bad for the environment and the transportation network of Dane County and Sauk County. Although it appears that we have lost some powerful supporters in this battle, we will not let our members down and concede defeat."
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