Re: US95 South

[Bob Hoffmann <escape@alt-escape.com>]

I am forwarding pro's and con's of the 10A alternative, as defined by 
Palouse Prairie Foundation:

Benefits:
1. Bypasses dangerous Reisenauer Hill.
2. Grade of proposed route more constant - less
elevational change but still several 5% grades
(similar
to current Reisenauer).
3. More direct to Moscow than current alignment.
4. Avoids numerous private access points,
particularly from Snow Road to Cameron Road.
5. Bypasses dangerous Zietler Road corner.
6. Can be built without disrupting traffic on
current road.
7. Moves road up out of "good" cropland.
8. Only county road disrupted is Eid.
9. ITD will move to secure 60 to 80 acres of
Palouse Prairie/shrub steppe habitat on Paradise
Ridge.

Negatives:
1. Alignment 10A adds 200 acres of new, impervious
surfaces (roads) to Latah County of which 67
acres is the shoulder to shoulder width of the
roadway, 41 acres of wildlife habitat destroyed, 32
acres that could be used by Threatened and
Endangered Species destroyed, Idaho Department of
Fish and Game estimates 465 acres of wildlife
habitat negatively impacted. With the destruction
also comes the increased potential for noxious
weed expansion that would threatened remaining
Palouse Prairie habitat. Palouse Prairie is
considered an endangered ecosystem. A report prepared
for the BLM cited the major threats to remnants
were road building and weeds.
2. Dangerous Reisenauer Hill now becomes albatross
of county. Genesee school bus must still
negotiate during snowy weather. Poor alignment
at corner of Eid and current US 95 still in place.
Poor road approaches at Zeitler and Snow roads
still exist.
3. Orographic fog (caused by the elevational change
of the north-south Paradise Ridge against the
prevailing east-west winds of the Palouse) will
be a problem. Between Halloween 1999 and
Christmas 1999, there were 13 days when
orographic fog descended below the level of the
proposed
route (doesnt't include the 10 days when
everyone had fog during late December). More snow
accumulation at higher elevation.
4. Disrupts cropland. Although much of the ground
is currently in CRP, if it was good enough to farm
during the last 15 years, it may be good enough
to farm in the future. (No woody vegetation planted,
indicating farmers leaving the option to
retill).
5. Route will greatly affect big game movement.
Moose use riparian/hawthorn stringers. Large deer
herds (I've seen as many as 100 head) roam up
and down the ridge. Elk run the stringers during
spring and fall migration. Free roaming deer may
become safety concern. Only available water for
big game during harsh winters on west side of
new road - cover on east.
6. Removes one of only 2 lower elevation pine
stands that serve as wildlife oasis between the top of
the
Lewiston Hill and Moscow.
7. Removes pine stand used for nesting by 4 species
of birds of prey: Red-tailed Hawks, American
Kestrels, Great Horned Owls, and Barn Owls.
Removes pine stand that serves as integral part of
wildlife area used by 115 species of birds, at
least 8 mammals, 3 amphibians. Three species are
listed as Species of Special Concern for Idaho:
Western Toad, Barn Owl, and Pygmy Nuthatch, the
later being listed as borderline S2 (without
concern for habitat, may become extirpated from
State).
8. The biggest "losers" in this route, residents
along Eid Road, won't even have close access to the
new highway. Using the new road to go to Moscow
will add about 1.5 miles to the trip.
9. Requires removal of at least 5 trailer homes,
one 4-stall garage, one split level home and garage at
Eid Road.
10. Numerous wetland disruptions. Pond just south of
Eid Road, riparian / hawthorn stringers, extremely
close to Stevens? Springs (south end Zeitler
Road), several ponds on Mike Snow property.
Construction through decomposed granite may
cause increased sediment loads to South Fork
Palouse River drainage.
11. Proposed wetland mitigation for Alt 10A "takes"
will be 10 miles away-no benefit to the wildlife of
Paradise Ridge.
12. May impact water quality in Hidden Village. DEQ
has concerns about this.
13. Elevating the new road bed 60' above the current
Eid Road will be noisy to Hidden Village residents.



Bob Hoffmann
846 Mabelle St.
Moscow, ID  83843

Tel: 208 883-0642