WHEREAS,  We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Legislature, find that the scope and scale of the proposed east-west highway, which would be the longest private road construction project in the State's history, warrant full legislative and administrative oversight; and

WHEREAS,  over 175 small businesses on existing east-west routes are opposed to the proposed highway because of irreparable economic damage that would occur from the "bypass" effect due to rerouted traffic; and

WHEREAS,  the State's fisheries, wildlife and recreational assets are central to the State's economy and a 220-mile highway bisecting the State would have an inevitable negative impact on habitat, recreational areas and the north-south movement of people and of animals; now, therefore, be it