|
Project Description: |
Native vegetation along highway right of way helps accomplish multiple goals: heat island reduction, climate resilience, public health, air and water quality protection. Primary users are motorists using state highways, as well as watershed residents affected by environmental impacts associated with highways. In cases in which MARC is listed as the sponsor, local governments or other entities with land use jurisdiction would need to implement projects.
|
|
Scope: |
An estimated 27,487 acres of highway right of way in the MARC region will be revegetated using native landscaping, replacing current monocultural seed mixes of cool season grasses commonly used throughout the region. Native landscaping will save money and improve air quality(by reducing mowing), and provide other climate resilience, aesthetic and environmental benefits. The infiltration capacity of soils clad with native vegetation increases dramatically, offering a solution to excessive runoff generated by transportation facility impervious areas. Additionally, native landscaping can provide critical habitat for Monarch butterflies, an iconic species that is currently under discussion to be listed under the Endangered Species Act.
Assuming that there are approximately 27,478 acres of state-managed rights of way, then approximately 1,000 acres would be converted each year during the 30 year period. It is assumed that establishment and maintenance cost is $2000/acre, and that maintenance costs decline substantially after the initial three years. Cost savings from reduced mowing after ten years would offset subsequent financial requirements, with savings allocated to new native landscape establishment. So cost estimations include 10000 acres * $2000/acre, plus a native landscape management crew for both KDOT and MODOT, estimated at $250,000/year.
Reestablishment of habitat for monarch butterflies would help organize and mobilize agency and community support for this broad effort, especially given its potentially threatened status under the Endangered Species Act. Initial pilot planting sites would be identified using criteria from the Green Infrastructure Framework to maximize mobility, environmental, public health and quality of life related criteria.
|
