Asphalt plant a ‘travesty’

<p>Editor: On Feb. 3 the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to approve the application of Dutra Materials to build a large asphalt plant across the river from Petaluma’s Shollenberger Park.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Over a million dollars of public money has been spent to acquire and develop the park and its adjacent wetlands. The park is host to 152,000 people a year by last count. The park is not only a bird and animal sanctuary (herons, cranes, duck, river otters, etc.), but contains a 2.2-mile jogging path. </p><p>Imagine walking, biking or running mere yards from a plant producing 650,000 tons of asphalt per year! (Think also of the 600 truck trips per day!)</p><p>We’ve all smelled new highway construction. Should the project be approved, the stench, noise, commotion and bright lights from the 24-hour nighttime operation will have a horrendous effect upon both the animal and human creatures who presently use or inhabit the park. </p><p>Proponents of the plant are touting jobs for our fragile local economy, but if the reports are true and 10 people will be hired, well, 10 salaries are not worth it to destroy a public treasure. </p><p>The EIR filed with the county has even called out these effects and stated that the impact upon air quality, noise and general commotion will be unmitigated. </p><p>Everyone who enjoys this wonderful park or cares about the environment must write or call the Petaluma City Council and ask the city of Petaluma to make a formal protest against approval of this travesty, and also contact the county Board of Supervisors objecting to the placement of Dutra’s huge plant across from Shollenberger Park.</p><p>Lindsay M. Mickles, Petaluma</p>