The Mono Lake Highway Widening Project was initiated in 1996 as a way to address safety concerns related to cyclists and tourists.  The Mono Basin RPAC proposed the project to the LTC and it was approved.  The project is funded through STPP - combination of State and Federal dollars - specifically from the 1998 Regional Transportation Improvement Program from Mono County.

As currently proposed, the project will create uniform 8' shoulder widths, add scenic turnouts, address rockfall problems, and straighten curves.  The project will not increase the current number of lanes.

MLC is concerned about how the proposed construction will affect Mono Lake's shoreline.  This section of 395 is adjacent to wetland areas and steep slopes.  In order to widen the highway, Caltrans must either cut into slopes toward the west or fill in wetland areas to the east.  The current Caltrans' proposal is to not cut into the hillside, but instead build a retaining wall east of the area that is widened below the highway.  While a retaining wall would be better than fill slopes - less total wetland loss - damage to wetlands will still occur.  There is no guarantee that cut slopes still would not occur.  The retaining wall would be visible from many points in the Basin and would permanently scar the natural beauty of the Mono Basin Scenic Area.

Caltrans' performance on the Rush Creek 4-Laning Project (see details) heightens our concern.  We have seen that what is represented in plans can be much different than what actually occurs on the ground.  As a result, we have little trust that Caltrans will honor whatever promises are made to the community.

MLC believes the current range of alternatives is too narrow and should be extended. The Committee, USFS, local residents and businesses have collectively generated many ideas that would alleviate most of the environmental damage while improving the safety components of this project. We believe there is a project that could be done but it would be a significant modification of the current project.

A modified project could balance transportation needs with safety while maintaining the visual and environmental integrity of Mono Lake. Mono Lake is unique and therefore any project near its shoreline should be given special consideration and treatment.

The draft EIR is a disappointment and does not address many of our concerns with the project. Based on Caltrans' inability to demonstrate it can properly analyze or construct this project, the only reasonable course of action is for Caltrans to select the no-build alternative.