July 2, 2011 Advisory Neighborhood Commission 3G P.O. Box 6252 Washington, DC 20015 Re: Proposed Oregon Avenue Rehabilitation Project Dear Commissioners: We are writing to you on behalf of a large number of Barnaby Woods, Hawthorne and Chevy Chase residents who live on and around the western boundary of Rock Creek Park, and who enjoy and wish to preserve the natural aesthetic of the Park and the unique character of Oregon Avenue. Rock Creek Park is, to many people, truly an oasis in our bustling city. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), however, have formulated rehabilitation proposals that would severely undermine the tranquility of the Park and our neighborhood. Among other things, DDOT/FHWA have proposed to re-grade the right-of-way, construct curbs, and add sidewalks and trails up to 10 feet wide. The proposals require the construction of hundreds of feet of retaining walls up to10 feet high, in some places on both sides of the Avenue, as well as the installation of high intensity lighting. Such an extensive construction project promises to transform the bucolic, park-like road into yet another urban thoroughfare. In addition, the proposals would require felling over 80 mature trees and an untold number of smaller trees, irreversibly altering the relationship between the Park and the Avenue and the character of the neighborhood. The estimated cost to create this 1.7 mile urban thoroughfare is $20-35 million. The impact is immeasurable and irreversible. The measures proposed by DDOT/FHWA are excessive and incongruent with the findings outlined in its May 24, 2011 Environmental Assessment (EA) which was released to the public on June 13, 2011. We recognize the need to address long neglected storm water problems and pedestrian access issues in ways that are less intrusive to the surroundings. To prevent this dramatic transformation of our natural environment and our community, Neighbors United to Preserve Oregon Avenue and Rock Creek Park and the undersigned community members hereby petition and request ANC 3G to undertake the following actions: 1. Reject any pending motion to support or endorse Alternatives 2, 3, or 4, as set forth in the Environmental Assessment. 2. Affirmatively oppose or take no position on any of the current Alternatives. 3. Support our efforts to require DDOT/FHWA to re-evaluate Alternative 2, to provide a LIMITED improvement option that addresses specific needs without altering the park like character of the Avenue. 4. Petition or request that DDOT/ FHWA extend the public comment period on this proposal, which closes on July 14, 2011, for 30 days following the release of all documents and records related to the project, which DDOT/FHWA have yet to make available, so that we may participate meaningfully in both planning and decision-making. We appreciate your attention to this important issue and look forward to your constructive contribution to this process. Sincerely, Neighbors United to Preserve Oregon Avenue and Rock Creek Park SaveOregonAvenue@yahoo.com