Richardson Grove State Park is the first redwood grove that a traveler comes to when driving north from Mendocino into Humboldt County. It is one of the last places where motorists actually have to slow down to navigate the road safely while threading between trees that have grown to thousands of years old, and can get as wide as 14 feet across.
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CalTrans' website cites an "economic disadvantage" for the cattle industry as justification for the possible widening.
The website also claims that a "major issue in our region is the lack of access to Humboldt County for Federal standard Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) trucks. As STAA trucks become the national standard, areas that do not have access for these trucks are at an economic disadvantage because they must reload cargo to shorter trucks, which adds to transportation costs. The (study) group is taking a comprehensive approach to explore options for permitting STAA truck access to the North Coast."
Ann Jones, CalTrans Public Information Officer, says that after the Confusion Hill by-pass is completed, this area "...will be the one little stretch that's causing problems on Highway 101."
Second District Supervisor Roger Rodoni told the press: "The only thing bothering us at Richardson Grove is a couple of trees."
The issue surfaces now partially as a result of a bill that's currently making its way through the California Legislature--SB 773, authored by North Coast Senator Pat Wiggins.
Four past exemption bills required that the California Highway Patrol (CHP), in consultation with Caltrans, report to the Legislature on the public safety impacts of the exemption.
In each of its studies, CHP has found that "no collisions, citations, verbal warnings, complaints, or highway incidents related to the exemption, involving licensed carriers of livestock on this portion of [State Route] 101" occurred.
Interestingly, the analysis notes that, "despite these findings, Caltrans maintains that these highway segments are "geometrically inadequate for use by truck tractor and semi-trailer combinations with a...length over 32 feet [apiece] and a combined vehicle length exceeding 65 feet."
In spite of existing exemptions for the cattle industry, which has accumulated no documented safety problems, CalTrans wants to widen the road.
The proposal has prompted protest from some North Coast residents who claim the place should be valued for its wild and remote character, including old-growth stands such as Richardson Grove, where cars and trucks steer around curves just inches from giant trunks.
Opponents to Wiggins' bill say that while they support regional industries, they don't think the widening is necessary. They also say they've received conflicting reports from CalTrans and politicians supporting the widening bill about what work would actually be done on the road.
In a June 7 interview with KMUD radio news director, Estelle Fennell, CalTrans' Ann Jones mentioned Wiggins' bill proposing to widen 101. The bill would require widening, and therefore probably cutting, according to Jones.
Yet staff from both Wiggins' office and Assembly member Patty Berg's office have assured constituents that the controversial bill is simply an extension of existing legislation, not a cause for concern.
The Campaign for Old Growth proposed a friendly amendment to the bill that would technically allow road widening, but would prohibit the cutting of large, old-growth redwoods in the Park.
The latest information regarding the proposed widening of the road through the Grove states that it is imminent, but that no old-growth trees will be cut.
In an article in Southern Humboldt's Independent, Caltrans says that the project involves "minimal " tree cutting, with no old growth removal. The largest tree slated to be cut is an 18-inch diameter maple tree. Many redwood trees would also have to be cut, but none are larger than 12 inches in diameter. They refer to the plan as "minor widening on curves...shifting the curves to one side, to align a truck so they can weave their way between these giants."
Alarmingly, Charlie Fielder, Caltrans District 1 Director also said that he hopes to avoid work that would mandate a full environmental study.
One may wonder how heavy equipment could operate in such a narrow area very close to numerous ancient trees without negatively impacting them. Those concerned with this issue may want to insist on a full environmental review of the possible consequences of such work.
For more information on the bill, go to www.leginfo.ca.gov and type in SB 773 under "Bill Information"
CalTrans' website, www.caltrans.ca.gov