December 28, 2008

North I-25 EIS
CDOT Region 4
1420 2nd Street
Greeley, CO 80631

North I-25 EIS Project Team,

On behalf of the Mummy Range Institute, I would like to convey the following comments regarding the North I-25 Draft EIS.

Of the alternatives listed, we support Package A. However, Package A must be reworked to avoid serious environmental harm and set a precedent for rapid transit in northern Colorado.

Specifically, we are concerned with the estimated decrease in air quality and diminished wetland environments compared to the no-action alternative. Package A should offer an improved future for air quality and wetlands over no action, and this is easily attainable by reducing or eliminating the proposed expansion of I-25 in favor of increased commuter rail service.

The commuter rail portion of Package A, as described in the DEIS, is little more than a “token” move toward regional rapid transit. It will not be sufficient to mitigate the environmental impacts of increased travel, nor will it be convenient enough to significantly change behavior among local commuters. A commuter rail package should not only reduce environmental impacts of regional travel, but shift preferences from individual vehicle travel.

A package truly centered around commuter rail would have the secondary benefit of economically strengthening the historical core areas of Fort Collins, Loveland, and Longmont, wheareas a package relying on I-25 expansion will encourage new and unnecessary development along the interstate corridor to the detriment of the downtown regions.

Thank you for creating a vision for rail-based rapid transit in northern Colorado, but please modify Package A to make it a meaningful one. We look forward to viewing the Final EIS.

Regards,

Ben Myers
Director of Communications
Mummy Range Institute