Build the Road (620/2222) (Austin, Bastrop: schools, area, building)

[CarnivalGal]

Originally Posted by SteveC16

So it fails on two counts:

1) The wildlife won't know that they need to divert east 1/4 mile, go under a bridge, and then divert back. What, you expect them to read a sign?


2) A bridge will still interrupt the tree canopy (trees won't grow well under a bridge), which means the tract is cut off for the canopy-dwelling birds. Especially since the one spot where the break narrows from 100 feet to ~50 feet, is where there's less canopy naturally because there's a creek.

Sorry but the safe, prompt evacuation of 3000 school kids from VHS and FPMS in the event of an emergency - which a second access road would facilitate - outweighs BY FAR the needs of a few confused birds and a broken tree canopy. Give me a break. I think the birds and bugs can figure it out.[/quote]

Let me add that the proposed road follows that path of an existing utility easement, so the tree canopy has already been interrupted by that. Again, if one has actually been to the property, you will see what I mean.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by CarnivalGal

Let me add that the proposed road follows that path of an existing utility easement, so the tree canopy has already been interrupted by that. Again, if one has actually been to the property, you will see what I mean.

So you've illegally been along the whole utility easement?


The tree cover along the easement is still there. Barely.

This is obvious in satellite photos. And is the judgement of the experts that include it as part of the reserve.


That's the difference between a few power lines and a 100 foot wide road.

[ScoPro]

Originally Posted by CarnivalGal

[/i]

Sorry but the safe, prompt evacuation of 3000 school kids from VHS and FPMS in the event of an emergency - which a second access road would facilitate - outweighs BY FAR the needs of a few confused birds and a broken tree canopy. Give me a break. I think the birds and bugs can figure it out.

Let me add that the proposed road follows that path of an existing utility easement, so the tree canopy has already been interrupted by that. Again, if one has actually been to the property, you will see what I mean.

What she said.

The argument reminds me of the "confused" Golden Cheeked Warblers that were seen building a nest in a big box store neon sign over in Marble Falls years ago. Dumb boids don't know when to get a proper building permit.

[CarnivalGal]

Originally Posted by Novacek

So you've illegally been along the whole utility easement?


The tree cover along the easement is still there. Barely.

This is obvious in satellite photos. And is the judgement of the experts that include it as part of the reserve.


That's the difference between a few power lines and a 100 foot wide road.

I don't disagree with this. What I'm saying is that it's not as disruptive as you are making it sound. I'm a warbler. I'm in a tree and need to move. There's no tree to the left of me, but there's still a tree in front of, behind, and to the right of me. Am I still able to move to another tree?

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by CarnivalGal

I don't disagree with this. What I'm saying is that it's not as disruptive as you are making it sound. I'm a warbler. I'm in a tree and need to move. There's no tree to the left of me, but there's still a tree in front of, behind, and to the right of me. Am I still able to move to another tree?

But that's not the question. It's not whether a warbler can "move to another tree". It's whether warbler populations north of the road and south of the road can freely intermix, forming a viable population base for the species.

South of the road essentially becomes a entirely separate preserve, one which is insufficient to maintain a population (which makes it useless).

[CarnivalGal]

Originally Posted by Novacek

But that's not the question. It's not whether a warbler can "move to another tree". It's whether warbler populations north of the road and south of the road can freely intermix, forming a viable population base for the species.

South of the road essentially becomes a entirely separate preserve, one which is insufficient to maintain a population (which makes it useless).

If the road were longer, I would agree. But it's not.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by CarnivalGal

If the road were longer, I would agree. But it's not.

?

It's long enough to _completely separate_ a large chunk of the preserve. It's as long as it needs to be to break things.

[Novacek]

Originally Posted by SteveC16

Your right that's not the question...the question is what's more important: birds or kids. The answer ought to be obvious.

How about both.

We keep the preserve for the birds and the single road the school, which is still absolutely and completely safe.


If it's not, then LISD needs to stop sending kids there immediately! Think of the children!

[Komeht]

Originally Posted by CarnivalGal

[/i]

Sorry but the safe, prompt evacuation of 3000 school kids from VHS and FPMS in the event of an emergency - which a second access road would facilitate - outweighs BY FAR the needs of a few confused birds and a broken tree canopy.

What kind of emergency are you envisioning here exactly? Invasion? Is this a Red Dawn kind of evacuation?

A fire, and they'd just evacuate to the grounds . . .wait for the emergency trucks to arrive. I take it this isn't in any flood plain (surely LISD wouldn't build a damn school in a flood plain). What kind of emergency requires students to be rapidly evacuated to a remote area?

[earthisle]

Is this the kind of stuff people in wealthy suburbs worry about, the astronomically low risk of a wildfire cutting off access to the school so kids have to stay a few extra hours? Everything seems to revolve around fear in that subculture.