Monday, December 13, 2010

Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor:

The McHenry County Division of Transportation sent a letter to the residents of Fleming Road in January 2010 informing us that they had determined that the road had deteriorated to the extent that they would need to rebuild it.

Our continuing conversations with them about the extent of the rebuild have left us deeply concerned that their project will destroy the charming, rural nature of the road. At an August 2010 meeting of the Citizens Advisory Group, McDOT informed us that they intend to remove ONLY 230 trees on this 2.5-mile road. I am concerned because: the 230 trees make scenic and ecological contributions to the road, The Land Conservancy has informed us that Fleming Road travels through one of the largest concentrations of remnant oak woodlands in McHenry County, many 200 to 250 year-old trees are within 10 to 20 feet of the pavement, McDOT eliminated some trees from the survey, and the rebuild will kill many more trees due to root damage.

The position of the Fleming Road Alliance is that the road must stay in the same footprint as it is now:  no widening, no straightening, no leveling,  no turn lanes, no curbs-and-gutters, no wide shoulders, no deep drainage ditches, no retaining walls, and we must save our trees!

To help us maintain the charm of Fleming Road, please contact us at flemingroadalliance@gmail.com.

Thank you,
Mary Moltmann,
Bull Valley IL  60098

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