November 1, 2002: Response to INDOT DEIS

I am writing to express my concern over failures of the INDOT Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement to identify key karst features in the section of route 3C through Monroe County. Specifically, the West Evans Road/Lodge Road/Rockport Road region of Indian Creek Township in Monroe county that would be directly in the path of route 3C. These features include:

1. A large cave just west of Lodge Road is not identified on the INDOT maps. This cave appears to be very close to, if not directly in the path of, proposed route 3C. I have personally explored this cave on many occasions and have frequently seen bats roosting in the cave.

2. Another cave slightly further to the west is also not identified on the INDOT maps. This cave appears to run directly under a section of proposed route 3C. Even though this cave is large enough to enter, there is a spring that keeps it partially full of water, making exploration difficult. However, the presence of large numbers of bats in the area around the mouth of the cave would lead one to believe this is a likely bat habitat area.

3. There is a large band of sink holes in the area that traverse the proposed path of route 3C. While some of the sink holes in this area are identified on the INDOT maps, many others are not. This area has extremely complex karst topology and I fear your study has not properly identified the extent of these features and the potential damage to the area drinking water.

As a result of these shortcomings in the Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement, I must express my strong objection to the routing of I-69 following alternative route 3C. I urge you to select the lowest cost and least environmentally damaging I-70/US41 route.