September 7,2010 Caltrans is going to town linking Golf Course
Drive and Wilfred with a 4-6 lane 101 underpass. If you reside near 101 at Golf Course Drive and want
an inkling of what to expect after completion of the underpass, visit College Ave. at 101 on the East side and E. Washinton
Ave. at 101 on the west side. Remember that neither an eir or an eis were done re the Wilfred Interchange,
meaning that all who live near the interchange, including the apartments built 420 feet from 101 (in 2002), were
denied a public hearing. This despite letters written and law suits filed.
August 2010 RPCEC's federal appeal and a rehearing were denied
by the three judge panel appeals court. Their reasons: (1)-lack of information at the time of the fonsi and
(2)-information contained in the neg dec/fonsi (Nov. 2006) that was a 'response' to comments. (1)In the case of info
available, in Feb. 2006 a 2" thick EIS supplemental scoping report of the Graton Rancheria Casino and Hotel Project
was available and was referred to in legal docs on the case. It contained mountains of info on the 762,000 sq.ft. casino/hotel
including sq. footage and diagrams of the 6,000 parking spaces. (2)In the case of the response to comments information,
the Initial Study/Environmental Assessment (July 2004) would have had to be recirculated with this 'new never before
reported' information. In other words the decision by the judges was not according to the law and was in fact counter
to environmental law. In their decision it appears they are suggesting that the only remedy for those with 'standing'
and harmed by this project is to sue when the damage occurs (what a way to protect the environment!).
September 3, 2009 appeal in federal court continues......
On April 20, 2009 RPCEC filed an appeal in federal court against the United
States Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA). "We believe the trial court
did not properly rule on our claim under the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)," said Rose Zoia, attorney
for RPCEC. "The envirnomental review of the interchange project did not evaluate the cumulative impacts of the
interchange project combined with the impacts, mostly traffic and air quality, of the proposed casino resort hotel less than
a mile away on Wilfred Avenue. This is what NEPA requires but it was not done in this case".
July 31,
2008 In viewing the Sonoma County Transit Authority minutes, agreements going out for
the Wilfred Avenue Interchange indicate that an EIR (state) and EIS (federal) were done.
This is not true. According to the standard used, with regard to traffic caused by casino/resorts,
an estimated 28,000 extra vehicle trips per day would impact 101 and related routes re the proposed Wilfred
Site casino. This is based on the 2,000 slots proposed. The estimate would increase if the governor decides to
allocate more slots as he has a propensity to do. This all would have a huge impact on Golf Course Drive
neighborhoods and Wilfred Avenue if the punch-through is done and the casino is built.
Widening YES
punch-through NO
In PD October 2, 07 Rey Centeno, project manager for caltrans district 4, forgot to mention the
lawsuit that could delay or alter the Wilfred Avenue Interchange Project. Environmental
studies are mandated by law to include the proposed Wilfred Site casino/resort project and it's incremental,
forseeable environmental impacts since the Wilfred Interchange punch-through would facilitate traffic
to/from the casino/resort.
On Tuesday September 6, 07 a lawsuit was filed
in federal court against Caltrans and other related agencies for their failure to conduct a full Environmentat Impact Review
and report on the 101 Wilfred Avenue (punch-through) Interchange Project. Residents have reminded Caltrans
to comply with this mandate since 2004. Residents have reminded Caltrans that they must include the 762,000
square foot Casino/Resort, and its impact, proposed 2 blocks from the 101 Wilfred Project.
