A rally at the University of Kansas combined the efforts of student-run organizations, environmental groups and community members to urge KU administration not to permit KDOT to extend the South Lawrence Trafficway through the Wakarusa Wetlands.
The protestors outside Strong Hall Tuesday collected signatures of people opposing the construction. Protestors involved included members of the Haskell Wetlands Preservation Organization and the University of Kansas EcoJustice.
Baker, Haskell Indian Nations College and KU all own part of the wetlands. <br/>The growth and development of Lawrence is creating a need for more roads to accommodate the traffic.The growth and development of Lawrence is creating a need for more roads to accommodate the traffic.
The growth and development of Lawrence is creating a need for more roads to accommodate the traffic.
Roger Boyd, director of natural areas, said he is in favor of the construction of the South Lawrence Trafficway because if the road is not built, then the three roads surrounding the wetlands will eventually be forced to expand to four lanes.
Boyd said this would be much more agriculturally devastating and make access to the wetlands extremely limited.
Building the road would mean sacrificing 56 acres of the wetlands. However, this plan would eventually allow the Baker Wetlands to expand by more than 350 acres.
“The standpoint of the opponents is that this plan will destroy the entire wetlands when we will only be losing about 10 percent of the land,” Boyd said.
Boyd said the rally will have very little effect on whether or not the road is going to be built because KDOT has the authority to seize the land through the power of eminent domain. <br/>Boyd said in addition to the gained acreage, there are also plans to construct hiking and biking trails, a visitor's center and 12-foot noise walls to help block out the sounds of the busy highway.Boyd said in addition to the gained acreage, there are also plans to construct hiking and biking trails, a visitor's center and 12-foot noise walls to help block out the sounds of the busy highway.
Boyd said in addition to the gained acreage, there are also plans to construct hiking and biking trails, a visitor’s center and 12-foot noise walls to help block out the sounds of the busy highway.
“This most recent proposal will be very positive for Baker with very little negative effects,” Boyd said.
One such opponent to the construction of the trafficway is Michael Caron from Save the Wakarusa Wetlands, Inc.
“Doing the (South Lawrence Trafficway) plan creates such enormous environmental destruction and puts the brakes on the growing biodiversity,” Caron said.
Caron said the trafficway is slated to be built through the part of the wetlands where he believes it would do the most ecological harm.
“I think putting a road through any part of the wetlands is inappropriate,” Caron said.
The wetlands have spiritual and cultural resonance with the Haskell Native American Tribe. The building of the trafficway and the 12-foot noise wall creates a huge barrier through the land.
“This is the one place left that tangibly represents that history,” Caron said.
The petition to stop the extension of the trafficway collected 1,357 signatures. <br/>Caron said anyone who believes the rally won't make an impact on the final decision knows nothing about the law. There is no precedent in Kansas law allowing one state agency, like KDOT, to take land from another, such as KU.Caron said anyone who believes the rally won't make an impact on the final decision knows nothing about the law. There is no precedent in Kansas law allowing one state agency, like KDOT, to take land from another, such as KU.
Caron said anyone who believes the rally won’t make an impact on the final decision knows nothing about the law. There is no precedent in Kansas law allowing one state agency, like KDOT, to take land from another, such as KU.
“They can do that to Joe the farmer, but not with KU.”