Resolution on proposed extension of Route 219
from Springville to Salamanca
July, 1998

Whereas the cost benefit analysis in the draft Environmental Impact Statement for this project does not justify the expenditure of the vast sum of nearly half a billion dollars.

Whereas the proposed highway with its increased speeds and increased traffic would increase energy consumption and energy waste while producing more air pollutants and worsening of acid rain, human lung irritation and global warming. Specifically there would be, along its route, a doubling of the production of Nox (nitrogen oxides) a major source of smog-born ozone.

Whereas 20 or more farms and homes that are eligible for the National Historic Registry and two beautiful old churches would be disturbed or demolished.

Whereas 1000 acres of black bear habitat would be cut off from the dwindling northern most range of the black bear in Western NY and many deer wintering areas would be disturbed.

Whereas many more animal-car accidents would be incurred.

Whereas a 28 mile long, 500 foot wide swath of (40%) forest, (3%) wetland (25%) active farms and (17 %) towns would be destroyed in the process and those forests are invaluable in the control of global warming.

Whereas urban sprawl would be increased with commuters taking their homes and jobs from metropolitan Buffalo into the less spoiled hill country to our south.

Whereas it has been well demonstrated that the proposed wetland mitigation of creating new wetlands is based on the false assumption that it is possible to build a wetland.

Whereas the highway would force the taking of more Seneca land which nation has already, in modern times, suffered the forced surrender of land for Route 17, the Kinzua Reservoir and the city of Salamanca.

Whereas there are no significant traffic problems on Route 219 at present and projections of problems are based on the unjustified and arbitrary assumption of 1.5 % annual growth in traffic.

Where as the industries, which are projected to increase most from this paving over of country and forest: logging, gravel extraction and real estate development are themselves damaging to the environment.

Whereas the plan provides no mitigation for the forest or farmland destroyed by this project.

Whereas the existence of rare and endangered species likely to occur in the area including osprey, bald eagle, basil balm, sweet-scented Indian plantain, spreading globe water and others have not been given a thorough field study.

Whereas, in light of all of the above environmental cost, the projected 24 minutes saving in travel time for the year 2025 is an insignificant saving.

Therefore be it resolved that the Sierra Club Niagara Group thoroughly opposes and condemns the proposed alterations to Route 219 including both the freeway option and the upgrade option