LAWRENCE, Kan. – Environmentalist are battling the state of Kansas over a plan to build a highway over wetlands.
The Kansas Department of Transportation wants to build the South Lawrence Trafficway. It would connect five miles of 32nd Street between k-10 and U.S. 59, also known as Iowa Street, in Lawrence.
The trafficway could provide a faster route for commuters between Johnson County and Topeka.
It would be built over 56 acres of wetlands including 20 acres owned by KU.
The parcel of land was given to the University of Kansas as part of a deal brokered in the 1950s. At that time, 20-acre parcels of surplus land were given to universities, government entities and school districts in Douglas County, Kan.
This afternoon students and community groups protested outside of Strong Hall at KU.
They chanted “save it don’t pave it”.
Protestors believe putting a highway in place of wetlands would kill the areas bio-diversity.
“It will be destroyed in terms of the light pollution, air pollution, water pollution all those things that will come with the trafficway,” says Mike Caron who heads Save the Wakarusa Wetlands.
Native Americans in the area believe the land was a former burial ground and is therefore sacred.
"It really is the soul of Haskell in many respects,” says Caron.
However, the land does not have any federal historical designation which would prevent construction.
Doctor Robert Boyd is a contractor for KDOT on the project. He says they will preserve the wetlands if the project moves forward.
“We don't believe it's an environmental issue because the wetlands are going to be replaced. So we know we can do that. We've already done it here,” says Boyd.
Lynn Bretz, a spokeswoman for KU, says they plan to remain neutral on the issue. She adds that their hands are tied.
“The state certainly has the authority to invoke eminent domain. Certainly we're a sate agency. We're a part of the state. We don't own the land privately. In fact it was deeded through the federal government,” she says.
Bretz goes on to say that the terms of the deed would prevent the university from selling the land to a private entity.
A group of environmentalist sued the state to keep the trafficway from being constructed. The issue is now in litigation.
