GDOT and Its Environmental Slip-ups

In this letter to the editor, Richard Chalifoux points to 's environmental violations during a project on U.S. 27 and says it could happen with Route D-VE of the proposed U.S. 411 Connector.

To the editor,

The media recently reported that GDOT paid $32,500 in fines for environmental violations on the U.S. 27 road project. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) determined that GDOT failed to establish the necessary steps to stabilize soil and contain runoff (silt) from dumping into nearby streams.

GDOT spokesperson David Spear estimated that nearly 100 GDOT projects in the past decade have violated EPD regulations – that means GDOT is averaging approximately 10 environmental slip-ups per year. I find this unacceptable – especially when cash strapped taxpayers are ones footing the bill for clean-up costs, fines, etc.

Spear stated that, “We try to do the right thing.”

But GDOT is not “trying” to do the right thing by proposing to build Route D-VE for the U.S. 411 Connector. Unfortunately, the longer, inefficient route will cost taxpayers $214 million – $112 million more than GDOT’s previous route of choice, Route G. Evidently, GDOT needs to try harder, as I’m tired of GDOT spending our tax dollars like pocket change to cover for its poor planning, overpriced road designs, etc.

Spear also admitted how difficult construction is in Northwest Georgia, yet GDOT has selected one of the most environmentally and geologically challenging routes for the connector. Additionally, the Pettit Creek Watershed, which is home to the threatened and federally protected Cherokee darter, could experience erosion and runoff issues, similar to the U.S. 27 road project. How can we trust that similar environmental lapses will not occur when GDOT constructs Route D-VE?

In closing, if GDOT was serious about doing the right thing, they wouldn’t select a route (Route D-VE) that unnecessarily wastes $112 million of taxpayer money and destroys our local environment. Instead, the right thing to do is select an alternate route that bypasses all of the current issues.

Regards,

Richard Chalifoux

Acworth, GA

Send your letters to the editor to brande.poulnot@patch.com.