An Olancha area property owner has taken cyberspace action to oppose Caltrans’ plans to build a bypass around that area. Scott Palamar objected strongly to the Caltrans plan to blend two alternatives with no public discussion. Now, he has created a website for the purpose of fighting the Highway 395 bypass.
Palamar has said that he objects to the way Caltrans has handled the public process. Caltrans Director Tom Hallenbeck had pointed to the rules that Caltrans does have the option of combining alternatives that have already gone public.
Palamar and many other residents say the bypass will kill off the small numbers of existing businesses. Palamar’s website, www.sierraeast.org, says that instead of widening the current highway, Caltrans intends to “carve a new maximum width highway through wild public land, completely bypassing the community of Olancha and costing many millions more of federal and California taxpayer’s money.”
Palamar also posted an online petition to object to Caltrans plans: http://www.change.org/petitions/support-the-eastern-sierra-stop-caltrans. Signing the petition automatically triggers emails to Caltrans, The California Transportation Commission, The Governor, our Federal and State elected representatives, and Supervisor Cervantes. Palamar also commented that he sees that Caltrans out of Anaheim has spent “all kinds of time checking out my websites.”
Caltrans District 9 is currently working on a final environmental document on the bypass plan.
Scott Palomar is a rich kid who doesnt even live in the area….nevertheless his efforts didnt age well.
Scott- say it isn’t so! Cattle clear a great path to many of my favorite fishing holes. Please leave them alone. Taste great too.
We don’t need a bunch of urban cowboys running around that are “all hat, no cattle”.
The cows keep it real 😉
and they do taste good!
Thank you to all the posters on this site. And a big thank you to BK for making it possible. While looking into who Scott is, I came across this letter. https://thereal395.com/7143/letter-to-the-editor-cattle/ From this it is apparent that Scott likes to think only he knows best what to do with… Read more »
Mr Reese,
I did not see anything in that letter other than an opinion. I believe we are all entitled to have one.
Yes Steve, copy and paste what they want. I love the part about fish and game saying That fish and game peoe say it’s the first place tourist should visit in the Owens Valley. And that post cards will show the hoof prints and dung. Really? Fish and game do… Read more »
I see the usual suspects are at it again with the usual Limbaugh-like ad hominem attacks. It must be an election year and those who retired too early, made poor investments, and didn’t see the bad economy coming are falsely believing they are finding some sort of cheap therapy by… Read more »
You can keep the limbaugh stuff just he facts and all of the ad hominem attacks as well. you hd to pipe in and add to the fire. I don’t mean that in a bullying way but we have been asked to be more respectful and I will try to… Read more »
my take on this? No-one really cares….this is a paltry number of comments and most are from repeat individuals….the total people signing his petition is paltry…But I will say, I support Mr. Palomar’s ability have and spread his opinion. I don’t understand the kneejerk type reply’s that we’re seeing on… Read more »
I have to say this to you sierragrl, most of “the repeat individuals” in this as you say, thread as about as much as you do. I support a lot of what you say, i have disagreed with things. My only defense in this, is that this person has been… Read more »
Good call Benett!
I second that motion and now everyone will HAVE to be civil in their opinions. THANK YOU,BENETT.
To those who would comment in mean, bullying ways, I will no longer publish your posts. There are ways to blog, question and express views without hurting other people. The kind of mean, attacking put downs on this story show why we can’t have world peace. We can’t even have… Read more »
Yes Benett … express what you think … I pointed out what I saw as wrong, and in past dealing with Mr. Palomar, I have learned, that he is not very nice. I pointed out what I saw wrong, I was not bullying, but as you can see .. he… Read more »
Mr. Palomar started out very civilized. When some of the nasty meanness started he fought back. Let’s get beyond the
playground stuff and have adult conversations. BK
I JUST NOTICED THAT THERE ARE NO LONGER LIKES OR DISLIKES…?
Rick, I see likes and dislikes. Where aren’t you seeing them. BK Actually, I see what you mean. You can’t make them register. I’ll get on it.
BK
And yes you’re right Benett, he was not attacking, I got defensive and took offense to what he was posting, I should have been better in my response, after all I have posted my feelings for others here who have done the same or worst My comment at first was… Read more »
I think I’ll be calling the Inyo County Planning Department to find out what sort of stipulations have been placed on the Sierra East housing development. This sort of development needs to be thoroughly examined by the residents of Inyo County. A subdivision of this environmental magnitude on our precious… Read more »
Just think of all the increased carbon emissions from people driving to/from the “Sierra East” subdivision to Lone Pine and Los Angeles….wow! I wonder what sort of environmental document “Sierra East” published to approve the increased disturbance to desert tortoise and ground squirrel? What about the new draw-down of the… Read more »
Fascinating, “sierraeast.com” owned and operated by a “Mr. Palomar” where it says right on the banner of the website “…..to profit from.”
The maps even show 395 abutting the property!
So Mr. Palomar isn’t driven by a concern for Olancha as he is by profit.
I have to interject that concern for one’s personal well-being and profit is not a crime nor even a scandal unless it violates laws or ethics. Also, remember it’s tough for people who live along 395 to find themselves at the mercy of the opinions of southlanders who vacation here… Read more »
Benett .. I will voice my views and concerns here, I have seen how some have operated in the past in regard to this subject, and this go round is no different. I have compassion for people who live here, I live here as well, but when people pretend to… Read more »
No, Big Al, calling it as you see it is fine. It’s how you do it. There’s no need to wound other people to get the truth out. This is not a topic, Big Al, for argument. It’s just a reminder to keep it civil and go ahead and express… Read more »
Point taken however, in this instance the public was invited to express their opinions on this matter and are continually asked for their input. Additionally, in the environmental document for the 4-lane project there is discussion and it’s common knowledge that Olancha is potential desert tortoise and ground squirrel habitat… Read more »
Benett, Mr. Palamar is a “southlander” who moved here after most of the comments and hearings on the Highway were done (2009, by his own website). He calls his home “my machine for living” and it is for sale, with furnishings and all, so he can build another. Somehow, someone… Read more »
That’s much for reasonably stated. Thank you, BK
Mr. Palmar, please go back to the flat lands where you came from. A simple google search of you shows that you like stirring up controversy with little meaning. Go join the peace corps and do something productive.
Where do all of you Armchair Expert detractors with phony names come from? As far as I know, you all work/worked for Caltrans or are somehow beholden to them or their interests. The bottom line is that the Caltrans bypass plan is a bad thing for Inyo County. If you… Read more »
Scott, I’m self employed. I have however, lost a good friend on that stretch of highway. It needs to be addressed, and I feel the best and safest way to address it is by bypassing it. Though it may have a negative impact on the town itself, I think the… Read more »
Mr. Palamar: All work for Caltrans or beholden to their interests? Thats just plain silly. If I used my real name you wouldn’t know me anyway, I don’t live in Olancha, but I know people that do. Maybe I’ll just send you an email if you’re really concerned about my… Read more »
Holy Cow. The massive amount of outright lies, left out facts, and general misinformation found in just the three petition sites I looked at is nothing shy of amazing. They truly rival 1950’s propaganda films. Wow. Just Wow. I sincerely hope you didn’t write them all Mr. Palomar, because I… Read more »
Please cease slandering me. Why haven’t you named a single alleged lie, left out fact or general misinformation…afraid to be refuted? And you might attempt to be honest enough to use your real name, not some TV character’s.
LOL Scott, you didn’t have any facts the first go around with the slanderous letter from Richard Cervantes, why would be believe you have any now, you are self serving in this, you don’t have the communities best interest in mind .. As a previous poster say’s, and I already… Read more »
So 52% of Californians vote for a by pass while “48% of Californians” vote against it? That’s what you stated in your posts .. basically.
That is according to the quote I quoted above, and quote in a previous post of yours as well.
Scott, let’s start with some quotes. These can be found here: http://forcechange.com/19371/stop-caltrans-destructive-efforts-in-the-eastern-sierra/ “Not only would this bypass damage the environment, but also serve as to considerably hamstring local economies in the area of communities such as Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine, and Bishop which are reliant upon tourist revenue to… Read more »
“This area is a pristine example of an endorheic alkali flat, which must not be allowed to be scarred by the existence of an unneeded bypass cutting through.” Shouldn’t this also include the “Sierra East” housing development- a 70+ residential community proposed to be built utilizing precious groundwater reserves, desert… Read more »
Wow, I just visited Mr. Palamar’s website, it is sierraeast.com, not .org. Mr Palamar is a real estate developer who is trying to sell lots that will be located near the new Highway, so he’s not happy. I assume he could start some new businesses on that property, since he… Read more »
I notice Mr. Palamar’s website has no way to enter any dissenting comments. Either you support his position, or you don’t exist. I think he has 15 signatures now.
Here is the Annual Average Daily Truck Traffic link.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/saferesr/trafdata/truck2010final.pdf
Follow this link to see the traffic data for highway 395. Scroll down to review the data.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/saferesr/trafdata/2010all/Route280-405.html
What misguided information on Mr. Palomar’s part…..5 years ago Caltrans conducted a major survey of the majority users of the highway and the majority desire the alternative that was selected. An alignment through the center of Olancha will destroy the community altogether. Just because 75% of Olancha residents want something,… Read more »
Link to this Caltrans document, scroll to page 11 and you will see that 64% of Inyo County survey takers do not want a bypass, nor do 48% of Californians. http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist9/projects/olancha/docs/inyo_bos_21Sep2010presentation.pdf As I have said before, most drivers who have no concern for the 395 corridor except for its use… Read more »
Mr. Palamar: Statewide, 7062 people responded to the survey, not even a drop in the statistical bucket of the state of California. I don’t believe you can apply these numbers to all Californians. Countywide, 231 people responded to the survey. Assuming a county population of 17,000, this is about 1.4%.… Read more »
And yet 84% of statewide respondents (7,000+) want a divided highway around Olancha. And 64% of Bishop residents do too.
That doesn’t bode well for you subdivision that you’re building, does it?
Caltrans has widened the hwy “through” every other town so why not Olancha? There’s no question that we need a 4 lane hwy. The point is that widening in place costs far less, has significant less environmental impact, goes along with the County policy of “no bypass” and is what… Read more »
Costing “far less” is debatable…..when the State needs to hold continuous public meetings and fight continuous lawsuits from people like Mr. Palomar, the cost of a bypass versus in place actually equal each other. “Less environmental impact” also debatable due to the “human cost” of the environment. Business owners and… Read more »
It is Olancha Cartage combined and there definitely more than 192 people living here. When they go to bypass ALL of the towns north of us here in the Owens Valley you can bet some of us will be picketing in front of Cal Trans in Bishop saying “thank you,… Read more »
Jenifer….All due respect,since I know you, and you helped me out a lot 12 years ago with a job at your little store,but I think it would be different going through Olancha than going through the other little towns….the speed limit won’t be 25 MPH from Cartago through Olancha,like it… Read more »
How do you figure it add over 2.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide? and a 125 extra gallons of fuel? Where did you pull that from .. out of thin air?
This is the last time I will respond to your ignorance….
Got to the EPA page that I found just like you could with a Google search:
http://www.epa.gov/oms/consumer/f00013.htm
Then go to the Caltrans traffic oage:
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist9/projects/olancha/traffic.html
Then ask someone to do the math for you….
1,800 cars and trucks per hour, give me a break… I would be surprised if 1,800 vehicles drive thru Olancha in a entire 24 hour period…
According to Caltrans, approximately 6,000 vehicles per day travel through Olancha on I-395.
A 1-mile elongation of I-395 due to a bypass will add over 2-1/2 million pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per year, due to vehicles burning at least 125,000 extra gallons of fuel.
Good luck with that Scott
As an air quality expert, I’d really like to see how you calculated that….did you use EMFAC?
And what parameters did you utilize in your calculation method?
Did you consult with FHWA regarding these figures?
Roy, it is Monday, 2pm. I have a stop watch and am watching Hwy 395. I just counted 16 vehicles in one minute. Multiply that by 60 minutes and you have 960 vehicles in one hour. . I live in Olancha, I lived here in the 70’s on the Lacey… Read more »
The bypass is the obvious long term solution. The status quo is dangerous, and outdated.
Widening the highway will be a mess, and possibly cause the loss of the row of Cottonwood trees, one of the towns best features.
Cottonwood grow quickly and could be replanted well in advance of any loss to the current stand. An UNDIVIDED highway through Olancha would minimize the impact, which is what the most people of Olancha want.
“Most people of Olancha?” Earlier you said 75% of people in Olancha want a widened road….yet latest census statistics (2010) state that only 192 people live in Olancha so ~15 people want what you say they want, while surveys conducted over 4 years ago indicate the exact opposite. Considering that… Read more »
ESlocal
Only 32 people from Olancha responded to the survey, that means 24 people are against the bypass. Again assuming half the residents of Olancha are adults able to respond this means only 25% of Olancha resident are against the bypass.
Yes, EAS locals who do not live here in the Olancha Cartage please check your facts!! 32 people responded because they are probably the only people that received the actual survey. When they do bulk mailing in our area it is thought they can do “local” from Lone Pine PO… Read more »
I have no problem with slowing down though the OV towns on 395. Unlike other towns, Olancha has a speed limit of 55. I’m more interested in safety than I am saving a minute or two. Bypass, widen, divide, whatever it takes to make that section safer for all travelers.… Read more »
Good job Scott, all we need here in Olancha is to post a CHP officer @ Crystal Geyser, and one @ where the four lanes become two south of town, that would slow these speeding double line crossers down.
LOL … that’s funny
Scott Palamar you do not represent Olancha, you were never voted in to represent Olancha. You don not speak for me. I for one do not want 1,800 cars and trucks running right down the middle of town per hour. 99% of the those cars and trucks do not want… Read more »
Please get informed before making gross assumptions, and diminishing what 75% of Cartago and Olancha residents want, what the County of Inyo wants, what any disgruntled taxpayer would want, and what is best for the flora and fauna that cannot speak for themselves. Regarding saved lives, it is already demonstrated… Read more »
Scott you need to be more informed .. and most of all stop spreading lies and try the truth for a change. The truck traffic from the bottling plan will not be that significant, yes there will be a fair amount of trucks coming and going. but it will be… Read more »
Please cease slandering me. I don’t know who you are or where you live, but it is you who needs to be informed. Ask Supervisor Fortney (www.inyocounty.us/representatives.htm) about the accident data on 395 in the Cartago/Olancha area or attend a Local Transportation Commission and ask them (www.inyoltc.org/) or for that… Read more »
Mr Palamar,
Is it best for the flora and fauna for you to develop the parcels you own?
How about increased Carbon emissions?
As far as time savings, the difference between 55mph and 75mph is a significant chunk of time.
What on earth makes you think the speed limit would be 75?? And, driving across Interstate 40 you HAVE to slow down to 55 when coming up on ANY town no matter how large or small. If you want to get to Mammoth faster. take a jet to their airport!!!!
Lets see, I can run a mile in @ 10 minutes, I’m pretty slow.
One of the benefits of this blogging site is to be able to debate and get to the facts of the situation. .I really want to know why you favor the bypass going to the west? the bypass could have gone to the east..this would have had less environmental effects…throwing… Read more »
Yes, the facts of Mr. Reese are distorted. He stated he lived at the top of Fall Road, That is the the road the state has chosen for the main route to get to the existing 395. They will be burdening a rural residential area with major traffic. NO BYPASS!!
Thanks Steve. I commute between San Diego and Mammoth & pass through Olancha all the time. 395 is a major transportation route with hundreds of thousands of cars & trucks passing annually. Widening the street won’t help. This degree of traffic requires a dedicated road — not a town street.… Read more »
Dear Scott, The rest of the story, since I do live in Independence, is that we’ve been trying to save our towns for decades. There is zero growth here and so lots of decline. Those of us who do not own businesses in Independence supported the widening of the highway… Read more »
What I see DWP doing now is every bit as devious as when they originally acquired all the land.
During the Great Depression, small towns got hit the hardest. In a capitalistic system you simply must go to where the goods and services are. Independence must go to the larger Bishop. This is a hard, cold reality. The same for the Mono County seat Bridgeport. The population is shrinking… Read more »
People in Bridgeport have a “hatred for those in Mammoth”? Have you seen some of the insulting remarks that have been made about the people in Bridgeport? No, I don’t live there but no, I would not be the slightest bit surprised if many in Bridgeport serve right back what… Read more »
just the facts……Maybe some of the reason for the hatred comes from how some people treat them up there,and talk about things….example….recent posts from someone,I think they went by “progressive”….and how he stated the south Mono people are smarter,and better educated…and “better’ people,as a whole,than ones are up in Bridgeport.I… Read more »