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JOINT RESOLUTION CONCERNING A PROPOSED EAST-WEST HIGHWAY
WHEREAS, We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Legislature, find that the scope and scale of the proposed east-west highway, which would be the longest private road construction project in the State's history, warrant full legislative and administrative oversight; and
WHEREAS,  over 175 small businesses on existing east-west routes are opposed to the proposed highway because of irreparable economic damage that would occur from the "bypass" effect due to rerouted traffic; and
WHEREAS,  the State's fisheries, wildlife and recreational assets are central to the State's economy and a 220-mile highway bisecting the State would have an inevitable negative impact on habitat, recreational areas and the north-south movement of people and of animals; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Legislature now assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, want to protect the public interest with regard to this private road proposal and be certain the negative impacts are as minimal as possible; and be it further
RESOLVED: That we also want to ensure there is ongoing legislative oversight for any proposal that comes forward and to require an in-depth agency review of all potential impacts to the State's environment, small communities and existing economies along any proposed route.