Protect Wildlife From Toll Roads

Thank you so much for your Nov. 1 editorial, “A Balanced Path,” discussing the need to build toll roads, a need created by the public’s lack of interest in supporting new “freeways.”

Members of the public may not realize it, but they pay for all maintenance of the toll roads. The San Joaquin Hills toll road was unsafe in the rain because the surfacing was done improperly. This bit of “maintenance” will cost the public millions in the next year alone.

And who is taking care of our wildlife? The Transportation Corridor Agencies put toll roads through our most valuable natural habitat, the areas of greatest biodiversity. They assured us that their biologists would take care of our wildlife. Yet, five deer and two coyotes were killed by cars in the first week of Eastern Toll Road operation.

Florida has found ways to protect wildlife. It has carefully determined placement of wildlife crossings by examining radio-telemetry data, locations of road kill and habitat characteristics.

What fencing have you noticed along the toll roads? Fencing is an important tool for protecting our wildlife. The toll roads pass through our county’s most precious natural areas. Let’s do whatever is necessary to get those toll roads fenced properly before it’s too late.

Florida has a policy of upgrading protection for wildlife on all roads, with both new wildlife crossings and fencing. We should consider following their good example.

LAURA COHEN

Mission Viejo

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Environmentalists have been urging for years that the Foothill Transportation Corridor (South) not be built. Now that it is approved south to the Oso Parkway, we have been urging that it not be built through to [Interstate 5] just south of San Clemente.

We have pointed out that environmentally, this area is extremely important, with six federally endangered or threatened species.

Your story Nov. 9 reinforces our fears. The alignment would cut off the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy from the foothills to the east. Now deer and other wildlife move freely in this area. Toll roads kill deer and other wildlife. Let us keep the killer toll roads out of this area by stopping planning for the Foothill Transportation Corridor (South).

PAUL CARLTON

Conservation chair

Sierra Sage/S.O.C. Group

Sierra Club