The Baker Wetlands manager makes some compelling points regarding the South Lawrence Trafficway.

During the conflicts and controversy about the status of the South Lawrence Trafficway, Roger Boyd, manager of the Baker Wetlands, has consistently been a voice of reason. His recent letter to the Journal-World should provide some new food for thought for all of us.

Boyd makes it clear that over 17 years, he has had varying opinions on the proposed road. Initially, he supported the trafficway section along 31st Street as it traverses the Baker Wetlands. Then, he says, he decided no road was best.

“Now again, I support the road,” Boyd says in his Wednesday letter in the Public Forum. “This time I support its construction on the edge of Baker’s property (along 32nd Street). Instead of Baker selling out, as some suggest, I believe an amazing deal has been negotiated.”

Boyd points out that if the SLT is built on 32nd Street, Baker will lose about 60 acres to the SLT and a new 31st Street but it will also gain about 330 acres.

“Much of this land will be converted into new wetlands,” Boyd adds. “Baker and the public will gain a Visitors Center which will become the ‘Gateway to the Wetlands.’ Baker will also establish an endowment to insure future management of this educational tool.”

Boyd says that many forget “that in 1919, Haskell put in a massive drainage system to keep it from being a wetlands. Except for the occasional wet years, this area remained drained until 1990. “It has only been in the past 12 years that we have had funding from state and federal agencies and organizations like Jayhawk Audubon Society to alter this system and revert our farm ground back into wetlands.”

Boyd, clearly with Baker University approval, says he is asking for help to finish the badly needed SLT and “in the process give Baker the opportunity to adequately manage this ecological gem for you and future generations.”

There are esthetic issues, of course. But there also is the pressing practical need for the SLT. A local firm recently announced it was relocating to the Olathe area because the absence of the trafficway impeded its transactions. There are other economic considerations that will do minimal harm to the environment and the Haskell presence and welfare.

Roger Boyd has never been a chest-poking, desk-pounding hell-raiser regarding the Baker Wetlands and the South Lawrence Trafficway. He has sought sound and sensible ways to appeal to many with minimum harm to people and places.

The SLT should have been completed and put into service at least 10 years ago. Many artificial barriers have been created to negate it. Boyd’s support of the 32nd Street leg for the trafficway is highly significant. Let us hope it can be a major breakthrough of a logjam that has long prevented a vehicle artery the community in general badly needs.

The region needs to build, heal and move on to better things than it has seen in the damaging battle over the South Lawrence Trafficway.