August 14, 2007
Arizona Department of Transportation
Carl Burkhalter, Project Manager
RE: Project - Hwy. 179 at Tlaquepaque/Oak Creek
Request for Information under Freedom of Information Act
Dear Mr. Burkhalter:
There are hundreds of concerned residents of Sedona, Arizona and people who do not reside in Sedona, but visit here often and are horrified at the proposed
project . Specifically, we are outraged about the potential damage to large historical trees as well as other damage to Oak Creek on Highway 179, as well as ADOT’s apparent misrepresentation of the facts and specifics of the project to persons approving the proposal in 2004.
I am requesting the following information under the Freedom of Information Act, on behalf of this large group of concerned residents and non-residents. Under the Freedom of Information Act, please forward to my attention, the following pertinent documentation and answers to questions immediately.
1) A tree survey of the sector from Hillside Sedona to 89A.
This by law, should have been completed prior to any construction
being commenced.
2) A No-Rise study that pertains to the effects of any construction from 100ft. north of the Oak Creek bridge, to 1/2 mile south of the bridge.
3) A detailed construction drawing of the area we are discussing that shows the type, design, of the bridge, retainer walls, and all other structures, including pictures and description of materials to be used.
.
4) An Environmental Impact study of the area we are discussing.
Note: All of the above requirements need to be performed by a non-affiliated Engineer, Architect and Surveyor, who is not on the ADOT payroll.
The public has a right to view all of the above documents in a (40 scale format), that is large enough to see clearly.
Regarding the Round-about location change:
5) This change occurred after the approval of the master plan design. Who approved it and why?
6) Were (small scale) construction details that would have shown the tree survey and other up close details made available to the voters and/or the general public when the conceptual design and final (large scale) drawings were presented to these voters?
Comments: Most people only saw a birds-eye view in 200 scale, that doesn’t show enough detail with regard to existing trees that fall into the path of construction. I am referring to the “20 scale” or less architectural drawings of the bridge and other supportive structures, walls and abutments. This would have clearly shown the tree footprints overlying the construction plan so there were, (at the time of the vote and approval for this particular phase of the project) plans that showed a clear indication of what trees exist in those areas. This, had it been provided, and I do NOT believe it was, would have changed the minds of those voters.
7) Where is the mandatory tree survey that was used during the design and layout of the proposed bridge, roundabout, & expansion of the Hwy. 179 area?
Comments: It’s apparent that whoever designed the original AND… the revised plan of the change of the round-about location at the Oak Creek bridge near Tlaquepaque, did NOT have an existing native tree & plant schedule (less than 5 years old). This would have shown the designers the precise location of all of the native vegetation, specifically the Old growth trees that are now located in the subject area. This is emphasized, because the plan that we were given, does not clearly show all of the trees and native vegetation that exist. The person operating the CAD design program must NOT have been working with a current Tree Survey.
We feel it mandatory that the trees should have been taken into consideration regarding ways to save them so no damage occurs such as: root zones, trimming of limbs, soil being placed over the roots during grade change operations, equipment driving over the roots, trenchers and backhoes digging trenches for pipelines along Tlaquepaque wall for the storm drain rather than locating it in the middle of the new road.
Regarding a Flood study / No-Rise study:
8) Where are the mandatory documents that arrive at the conclusion that no downstream damage will occur to anyone’s private or commercial property, or native trees or creek embankments located downstream due to the proposed construction at the Oak Creek bridge area?
9) Does ADOT have any plans for downstream mitigation or protection of the creek embankments to protect the creek edge and private and commercial property from any damage that could arise from high waters or flash flood due to the proposed construction? And why not?
Comments: The proposed concrete piers that will support the bridge take up a volume of space in the creek bed. This alters the water flow. Removal of trees that are now holding the creek bed and banks together will cause erosion of the bed and banks of the creek downstream. This furthermore raises the risk that trees, mostly old Sycamore along the banks, and most probably the trees in the east Tlaquepaque parking lot could be destroyed.
Regarding a mandatory Environmental Impact study:
10) Probable impact on birds and other wildlife, native vegetation, water, air?
a) Birds…the Great Blue Herons inhabit this area and need a place to roost.
b) Water quality decreasing from asphalt emulsions due to the new highway. What keeps this to an absolute minimum at the bridge crossing during rainstorms that rinse off the pavement into Oak Creek?
c) Trees produce oxygen as a bi-product after processing carbon dioxide (automobile exhaust a carcinogen, is one source of this). If you kill the trees, and more cars come on this bigger better highway…then guess what happens to our air quality in Sedona….
d) Native vegetation down stream becomes threatened, due to heavier and increased velocities of water flow due to Creek bed changes. ie: removal of native river rock, boulders, trees, grasses, saplings etc…
Note: Our concern over the proposed ADOT plans to widen Hwy 179, add a roundabout, construct a new bridge, install sidewalks, change grades at sensitive areas where huge Sycamore trees exist, to install a pedestrian bridge separate from the main bridge, equipment staging areas, plans to install new infrastructure such as the large storm drain pipe,… all of the proposed construction process pertains to the following potential for probable, permanent damage, destruction and future death of trees.
Reference the following:
Tree roots being cut from trenching along the Tlaquepaque privacy wall and sidewalks across the street from Tlaquepaque in front of the New Age stores.
ADOT plans to needlessly mame and destroy up to 60 trees at the south side of the bridge in ROW and…the staging areas as noted on the plans…both in the Creek bed and at the north and south sides of the current bridge and…in front of the New Age stores along the current sidewalk.
Sides or tops of trees being trimmed would permanently ruin the shape of these trees.
Plans to remove Heritage trees. Some of these trees are more than likely 300 years or older and were here before the first white man set foot on this ground.
The proposed project forever demolishes an unwritten contract regarding the preservation of this beautiful land. It is a Historical Landmark of great import to the area, in that this was Carl and Sedona Schnebly’s original Homestead.
Please do not destroy our heritage.
"Working together we can make a difference."
Thank you for your anticipated co-operation.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Murphy-Thomas, J.D. and
James Law, on behalf of our sisters and
brothers in Sedona, Arizona.
God Bless you.
Cc.: Governor Janet Napolitano
Eric Levitt, Sedona City Manager
Wendy Lippman, Tlaquepaque Manager/Resident Partner Rob Adams, Sedona City Councilman
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