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March 3, 2004Hartman-Hammond: County's statement 'flawed'The 'bridge is dead,' says one opponent; county to push onByRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - The county's environmental impact statement for its Hartman-Hammond bridge and corridor project is "seriously flawed" and its conclusions can't be trusted, state officials said. "We cannot rely on (its) conclusions," said Stanley Pruss, deputy director of the state Department of Environmental Quality. But it's unclear whether that dooms the Grand Traverse County Road Commission's much-debated proposal, as opponents suggest. In a six-page letter this week, the DEQ questioned whether the road commission adequately considered alternatives to the proposed bridge over the Boardman River. It would link Hartman and Hammond roads and create a bypass route south of Traverse City. The DEQ challenged "prudent and feasible alternatives" evaluated in the road commission's 2001 environmental impact statement. The thick statement cost the road commission about $1 million. The DEQ also said state and federal regulators prefer a "clear span" bridge, eliminating the need for any wetland fill in the Boardman River valley. County officials say that could add another $10 million to the cost of the bridge construction. Earlier versions were estimated at around $8 million. The federal Environmental Protection Agency also has endorsed a high-bridge design that fully spans the river valley. Project opponents said the DEQ's latest concerns are devastating to the county proposal. "We think the Hartman-Hammond bridge is dead," said Kelly Thayer of the Michigan Land Use Institute. Pruss said the DEQ's "single greatest concern" is the "Smart Roads" alternative pushed by project opponents to upgrade existing roads and widen the single-lane Cass Road bridge was not "fully" evaluated by the county. County officials withdrew an earlier proposal for the bridge and corridor project late last year and asked the DEQ to provide a "guidance" letter. They hoped the letter would provide specific bridge recommendations. They aren't ready to concede defeat. "We asked them for a letter of direction - but it's not very clear," said Mike Dillenbeck, road commission manager. "Many of the things in this letter have been answered before." County officials were scheduled to meet with state and federal regulators today in Lansing. The meeting will include road commission chairman Walter (Jay) Hooper, Dillenbeck, county administrator Dennis Aloia and representatives of the DEQ, state Department of Natural Resources and EPA.
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