Richardson Grove State Park is dear to our hearts. Save the Redwoods League was instrumental in protecting its old-growth redwoods for generations of park visitors to enjoy. We have been following the proposed widening of Highway 101 with great interest and concern since the project was first proposed in 2007. While the Dec. 2, 2020, decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals would seem to give the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) legal grounds to move forward, sufficient concerns remain about the project’s impacts on the redwood forest and visitor experience in the park, that the League urges the agency to seek other, less-impactful options. While the courts have said that the project meets environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Quality Act (NEPA), it is not the right thing to do in this special place.
The League, together with many concerned organizations, encourages a less invasive solution for the highway issue at Richardson Grove State Park. We stand ready to work with Caltrans on an alternative proposal to preserving the integrity of Richardson Grove State Park.
One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forest. The nonprofit’s 24,000 supporters have enabled the organization to protect more than 216,000 acres of irreplaceable forest in 66 state, national and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org. For updates, please subscribe to our E-Newsletter at SaveTheRedwoods.org/signup.
Tags: 2021, Press Release, Richardson Grove, statements
5 Responses to “Statement from Save the Redwoods regarding Dec. 2 court decision on proposed widening of Highway 101 at Richardson Grove State Park”
Sarah Baitis
Do you have any updates on your perspective now that CalTrans has provided more details about their plans?
Maureen Roche
Obscene reversal that reeks of misplaced money aka power abuse. The demeanor is gone . Get real. You can’t take the roots without losing Redwood Giants!
Martha G. Hart
We have lost so much, simply driving more slowly and carefully is a tribute to life, not just the Redwoods which we need to protect. I thought this was already settled.
gary Lee robinson
There must be a better way.
Judith Gilkey
this is just wrong, if this kind of thing keeps happening we will wind up with no redwoods.. wish people would just leave them be