Brooks Carter
US Army Corps of Engineers
1403 South 600 West
Woods Cross UT 84010

Dear Mr. Carter,

I am writing you today as a very concerned citizen regarding the future of the Great Salt Lake Wetlands ecosystem. The Great Salt Lake wetlands are of great international ecological importance. They are truly an oasis in the largest stretch of desert on the continent and provide crucial breeding and staging habitats to many millions of migrating shorebirds and waterfowl. These wetlands also provide habitat for over 500 wintering bald eagles, 11 active pairs of the endangered peregrine falcon, along with many other bird, mammal, and amphibian species. This and other countries' wildlife populations will be adversely affected if this great resource is impacted.

Governor Leavitt's proposed Legacy Highway will be devastating to this wetland ecosystem. We have already lost too much of these wetlands in the past to allow a road that will destroy some of the last that remain. Not only will the Legacy Highway directly destroy wetlands, new roads always are followed by immense development pressure. Even if some development rights are acquired to the west, the development pressure and pollution this highway will bring will greatly outweigh those measures. This hemisphere's bird populations are now recovering from our history of releasing toxic opllution into our ecosystems. Legacy will greatly increase toxic road surface runoff, and one tragic spill could poison the entire area. As you are aware, the Great Salt Lake has no outlet and only nature determines its level. The ecosystem has evolved along with this periodic flooding and the shallow nestin habitats move east to west as the lake rises and retreats. However, if the Legacy Highway is built, it would restrict this flow and a flood could drown out these important breeding habitats. A freeway in this flood area will pose risks similar to those related to I-80 and the Antelope Causeway experienced in 1983, along with the incredible blinding fog that frequents the lakeshore area.

Please do not permit the Legacy Highway and allow the destruction of this one of a kind ecosystem. There are other solutions that have not been seriously considered that would avoid wetland destruction. A transportation system which includes sophisticated commuter rail service combined with HOV lanes on I-15 along with a convenient bus and light rail system will handle the traffic demand for the Legacy Highway. This has worked well for other cities around the country such as Portland, Boston, San Fransico, and Dallas. These types of regional mass transit greatly reduce auto dependancy, air pollution, and promote higher densitygrowth instead of suburban sprawl. There is no need to ruin this wonderful resource when there are much less damaging alternatives available.

Sincerely,

John Q. Public

cc: Cindy Cody USEPA Region 8