I was astounded and appalled to read the recent story on the Mount Baker Road project. When we first learned of the project — which must have been close to two years ago — we were skeptical, because it seemed to be overkill and would dramatically change the rural character of one of our main country roads, increasing its width by 50 percent, cutting down trees, and possibly adding curbs and culverts, all for reasons that remain mysterious. (Speeding won’t be decreased by “improvements”; it will only increase. And the fatality that is often cited as a safety reason for the project occurred at the edge of the proposed project area, with the driver coming from the opposite direction and going too fast for conditions.)

We also wondered back then what the department was going to do about the wetlands — clearly visible from the road. Now the department tells us they’ve just realized that there are wetlands and stormwater issues, and that they’re going to add to the already high cost of the project? How could the department have applied for, and obtained, a multi-million dollar roads grant without realizing that there are wetlands and stormwater issues raised by the project? Even without the county road engineers, environmental specialists, and stormwater managers, the average Orcas resident could have told the department that there would be wetlands and stormwater impacts. It’s way past the time to “step back and take a look at what we’re doing.” Maybe we should step back and shelve the project.

Peg Manning

Eastsound