NICAN not to blame for byway's delays

In response to Mr. Keyes speculation Wednesday that ITD may consider suing NICAN for the costs of delays on construction of the "byway;"

For the record, NICAN's legal action is specifically a challenge to the improper and incorrect assertion by the Federal Highway Administration that the dramatic changes in project design since 2000, which include extensive fills in Sand Creek, are not "significant" changes or impacts.

At this point NICAN's activities have not caused any delays in construction of the proposed highway in Sand Creek. Rather, the delays are a result of ITD not having its ducks in a row, while telling everybody that they are ready to start construction.

The delays are a direct result of ITD not providing the information requested last year by the Army Corps in order to make a decision on the permit for the fill in Sand Creek. And there will be further delays as a direct result of a completely NEW proposal to dredge a channel around the huge fills that will significantly alter the flows and sediment transport in Sand Creek.

This hydrologic fact was something that NICAN identified last fall, which was soundly criticized by ITD as incorrect. Now ITD has identified thousands of yards of creek bottom dredging (not included in ITD's applications last year) which requires additional permits from the Army Corps and Idaho Dept. of Lands. Furthermore, ITD has NOT yet acquired the majority of the land needed to construct the highway from the BNSF Railway Company.

Seems like a lot of finger pointing is aimed in the wrong direction, away from the actual source of the delay (ITD) in order to take the spotlight off of the fact this project is not fully designed, not fully disclosed to the public, not ready to construct, and just not a very well thought out plan. Haven't we seen enough examples of ITD's "we'll figure it out as we go" approaches resulting in millions of dollars of taxpayer money being spent on fixes and fines for environmental disasters? Is that what we want right in the middle of Sandpoint?

Liz Sedler

Sandpoint

NICAN