Ben Logan Addresses Highway 131

Ben Logan, lifetime Kickapoo Valley resident and author of The Land Remembers speaks at a recent KVSA rally.

This is a tough issue. You know, a lot of the time I think we just feel lost among all the changes that seem to happen, whether we are ready or not. Out reference points are being pulled out from under us so fast that we begin to feel we have no rights. No place to stand. Most of the decisions coming from somewhere else. Some alien place called Madison or Washington. We have good reason to distrust those places.

In the disastrous dam project one wonders if the planners had any individual farms and farm families on their maps when they decided to condemn lands.

And did anyone remember those farm families when the project was abandoned? What about the Wisconsin DOT? As they plan new highways, are there people on their maps? Are there historically important places? Are there marks to indicate spots of great scenic beauty?

A historian once said, we keep finding ourselves living in the future before we know how the hell we got there. But I believe we can help shape the future. I think we are at a turning point in this nation and this state. I think we are finding the rules are changing. We're beginning to listen to other voices in addition to the voice of economics. Beginning to ask for a new balance between economic benefits and other values. The land itself is being given a voice. We are looking at quality of life and natural beauty as elements that must be considered.

All this suggests to me that environmental impact statements are no longer good enough to show us what we are doing. People and families and all their various needs are part of the situation. What about a quality of life impact statement? What about an aesthetic impact statement? What about a historical and tradition impact statement? And what about a truly long range Economic Impact Statement? Not the one month or one year plans that governmental bodies seem to often consider long range. I hope to be living in the Kickapoo region a little longer than that.

People tell me the trucks will bring great economic benefits. Will they be stopping to top off their fuel tanks? I doubt it. Will their drivers be spending time in stores, restaurants, and taverns? Will they bring their families? Will they be camping at Wildcat Mountain? Renting canoes or staying in motels? If not, where is this great economic benefit?

Yes, the change will save perhaps three minutes each way for those who come in. Is it economically feasible to make 12 million dollars worth of changes to save those few minutes?

Ironically in long-range economic terms, the high speed highway, and if you build it, they will come, will drive away a group that does spend money and time here, the sightseers, campers, canoers, hikers, and bikers. All those who come here because they want to escape the very things that these suggested changes will guarantee.

Roaring traffic, big trucks, is that the future this area has to sell? Can you have both? Can you serve two masters -- trucks and tourists? I don't think so. I dread the vision of impatient high speed trucks tailgating and horn blasting the much slower tourists' cars and the bikers and hikers out of their way.

Yes, make minor changes, safer bridges, softening of corners. But other than that, let the Kickapoo River and its companion road have its way. Let the road set the speed and deliver its own message, telling us to stop being destination bound and enjoy the journey through this beautiful area.

And remember, if this proposal from an authority outside the valley is given approval, it's one more thing being changed that ain't ever going to be changed back again. Thank you.

This text was taken from a Ben Logan speech spoken at Ontario, WI at an environmental impact hearing.

Previously upgraded highway 131 between La Farge and Rockton

Existing highway 131 between Rockton and Ontario which the D.O.T. plans to upgrade