Ms. Elizabeth Johnson,  Office of Peter Visclosky,  701 E 83^rd Ave  Suite 9,  Merrillville, IN  46410

April 10, 2005

Dear Ms. Johnson,

I am writing on behalf of the Friends of Silver Lake in Valparaiso, Indiana concerning the Vale Park Road Extension project.  We have heard that NIRPC is considering funding an 80-20 grant to build this city road.  Are you aware of any discussion or negotiation by the City of Valparaiso and the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission to obtain federal funding for this road?

We would like you and Representative Visclosky to know that there is a great deal of public opposition to this project as it is projected to cut through  non isolated wetlands that are “prone to ponding of surface water” with potential drainage problems that “may not be eliminated”, where “suitable granular soils were not encountered within the exploratory depths of the borings.” And “adequate moisture conditioning may be difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.”  (Weaver Boos Consultant, LLC, Geo-Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Preliminary Geotechnical Exploration report, April 23, 2004)

Our group would gladly meet with you and Mr. Visclosky to discuss why there is opposition to this proposed street.  There are not only environmental concerns, but traffic and stormwater management concerns as well.  Thank you.

Best Regards,
 
Dorothy Graden, Founder, Friends of Silver Lake, 2600 Camilla Drive, Valparaiso, IN  46383

Phone:  219-464-1974     Email:  dardorov@verizon.net