HELP SAVE SEPULVEDA BASIN WILDLIFE RESERVE

Your help is needed to keep a freeway on- and off- ramp from being built in the heart of the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.

Caltrans proposes to build a new connector road from the southbound I-405 to the westbound US-101. Caltrans has not selected a preferred alternative. Instead, Caltrans is offering three alternative versions plus a No Build alternative. If Alternative 2 or Alternative 3 is selected, an on-ramp and off-ramp will be built in the Wildlife Reserve near the Wildlife Lake. Neither Alternative 1 nor the No Build Alternative would harm the Wildlife Reserve.

You can help. By May 28, let Caltrans know in writing that you support the Wildlife Reserve, and that you think putting a freeway on- and off ramp through the Wildlife Reserve is absolutely unacceptable.

Send an e-mail to eduardo_aguilar@dot.ca.gov
Or mail Mr. Ronald Kosinski, Deputy District Director; California Department of Transportation; Division of Environmental Planning (I405/101 Connector); 100 S. Main Street ˆ Mail Stop 16A; Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Forward this information to everyone you know who cares about the Wildlife Reserve and ask them to help too. We can influence which alternative is selected. If enough people tell Caltrans that they greatly value the Wildlife Reserve and consider alternatives 2 and 3 unacceptable, we may save this oasis of nature and tranquility.

The alternatives on the table are:

Alternative 1 (OK): A new connector from the southbound 405 to northbound 101. The Wildlife Reserve would remain intact. (Because there would be no freeway ramps in the Wildlife Reserve, vehicles entering the southbound 405 from Burbank Blvd. would not be able to transition onto the 101.)

Alternative 2 (Terrible): A new connector from the southbound 405 to northbound 101. A constrained (tight curve) on- and off-ramp would be built through the Wildlife Reserve, north of Burbank Blvd. This would require building a new Burbank Blvd. bridge over the 405.

Alternative 3 (Even worse): Like alternative 2, but the on- and off-ramps would have a larger footprint through the Wildlife Reserve. There would not be a new Burbank Blvd. bridge.

No build alternative (OK).

Please let Caltrans know by letter or email that you strongly oppose alternatives 2 and 3 which would place an on-ramp and off-ramp in the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Refuge. Let them know the only acceptable alternatives are alternative 1 or the no build alternative. Let Caltrans know why the reserve is important to you. Please express your feelings about this by writing or emailing a letter to Caltrans by May 28.

Muriel Kotin, President San Fernando Valley Audubon www.SFVAudubon.org

Please send your own message today to eduardo_aguilar@dot.ca.gov (or a letter to Ronald Kosinski) today.

Here is a sample email to give you some ideas. Please make your own as personalized as you can.

Dear Mr. Aguilar,

Regarding the proposed Connector Project from the southbound I-405 to the westbound 101:

I urge Caltrans to adopt either Alternative 1 or the No Build Alternative for this project. I strongly oppose alternatives 2 and 3 because they would disturb the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.

I enjoy jogging at the Wildlife Reserve because of its beauty and tranquility, because it is an escape from the noise and stress of our very urban area. I go to the Wildlife Reserve every [week or whatever] because [ your story].

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Address