Posted on Political board also.
Daybreaker: Texas 87 construction stalled by Lepidochelys kempii
These little V.I.Ts haven't been seen much 'round these parts, but that doesn't mean they don't have any pull. We're talking about the extreeeeeeemly endangered Kemp's Ridley Turtle (otherwise known as "Lepidochelys kempii" -- who have been known to nest up and down the Gulf Coast, including Bolivar (a favorite locale of the protected species).
As the BE reported back in May, Ike has done a doozy on the nesting habits of these small creatures. They've not been seen around Bolivar since the storm.
"Ike's massive surge sheared off Bolivar sand dunes and flattened beaches, leaving them gullied and debris strewn. Beaches around Rollover Pass were re-nourished with dredged materials consisting in large part of rocks and shells, proving a forbidding approach for turtles."
In other words, the turtles no-likey. And they've gone elsewhere. Despite they're lack of finding suitable accommodations on Bolivar, TxDOT had put the kibosh on plans to bolster -- and elevate -- Texas 87 this summer.
"Just 11 days into the project, with tons of work left to be done, the feds told TxDOT to stop it all. They found something they needed to protect more than the lone evacuation route off the Bolivar Peninsula."
That's right, the Kemp's Ridley Tortuga.
"For more than a month now, this potentially life-saving project has been stalled while biologists come up with a plan to protect turtles. Now keep in mind, the turtles haven't been spotted in the construction zone or crossed this highway in years, but may nest on the Bolivar this summer."
The delay has forced crews to hold off on elevating the road (5 feet above sea level, which will give residents more time to evacuate). Good news, though. Just last week, crews received word from the feds that they can get back to work, as long as there are wildlife folks overseeing the construction. Unfortunately, road work will not be competed until AFTER hurricane season.
Damn you PETA!
Daybreaker: Texas 87 construction stalled by Lepidochelys kempii
These little V.I.Ts haven't been seen much 'round these parts, but that doesn't mean they don't have any pull. We're talking about the extreeeeeeemly endangered Kemp's Ridley Turtle (otherwise known as "Lepidochelys kempii" -- who have been known to nest up and down the Gulf Coast, including Bolivar (a favorite locale of the protected species).
As the BE reported back in May, Ike has done a doozy on the nesting habits of these small creatures. They've not been seen around Bolivar since the storm.
"Ike's massive surge sheared off Bolivar sand dunes and flattened beaches, leaving them gullied and debris strewn. Beaches around Rollover Pass were re-nourished with dredged materials consisting in large part of rocks and shells, proving a forbidding approach for turtles."
In other words, the turtles no-likey. And they've gone elsewhere. Despite they're lack of finding suitable accommodations on Bolivar, TxDOT had put the kibosh on plans to bolster -- and elevate -- Texas 87 this summer.
"Just 11 days into the project, with tons of work left to be done, the feds told TxDOT to stop it all. They found something they needed to protect more than the lone evacuation route off the Bolivar Peninsula."
That's right, the Kemp's Ridley Tortuga.
"For more than a month now, this potentially life-saving project has been stalled while biologists come up with a plan to protect turtles. Now keep in mind, the turtles haven't been spotted in the construction zone or crossed this highway in years, but may nest on the Bolivar this summer."
The delay has forced crews to hold off on elevating the road (5 feet above sea level, which will give residents more time to evacuate). Good news, though. Just last week, crews received word from the feds that they can get back to work, as long as there are wildlife folks overseeing the construction. Unfortunately, road work will not be competed until AFTER hurricane season.
Damn you PETA!