www.natlands.org Hildacy Farm 1031 Palmers Mill Road Media, PA 19063 tel: 610-353-5587 fax: 610-353-0517 members@natlands.org Board of Trustees Peter O. Hausmann Chairman John A. Terrill, II Vice Chairman Robert I. Friedman Secretary Christopher H. Washburn Treasurer Sandra S. Drayer W. Joseph Duckworth Robert D. Fox William T. Howard R. James Macaleer Jeffrey E. Mack Monika M. Panger Zoë Perkins Ann F. Rhoads, Ph.D. Theodore V. Wood, Jr I. Tatnall Starr, II* * Trustee Emeritus Philip S. Wallis President Molly K. Morrison Cheif Oerating Officer/ Senior Vice President David D'Antonio Vice President Finance and Administration Ann C. Hausmann Vice President Development and Communications Randall G. Arendt, M.R.T.P.I Senior Conservation Advisor

July 22, 2004 Secretary Allen Biehler PennDOT Keystone Building 400 North Street Harrisburg, PA 17120 Dear Secretary Biehler: Natural Lands Trust, a regional land trust with over 3,000 members in southeastern Pennsylvania, supports the efforts of southern Chester County community groups and municipalities to promote a two-lane alternative for Route 41. As an area designated as rural in the county's comprehensive plan, Landscapes, and containing some of the nation's best agricultural soils, this portion of southern Chester County is increasingly under development pressure. We believe that an expansion of Route 41 to four lanes, with its increased traffic capacity, will hasten the conversion of this irreplaceable farmland to suburban sprawl and non-agricultural uses. We believe that the two-lane alternative, along with appropriate traffic calming design, can address concerns of safety and relieve traffic congestion. We also believe that by its investment in public dollars through its agricultural easement purchase programs, both the state and county governments are implementing policies in keeping with documented land use objectives. A widening of Route 41 would be a conflicting public policy and therefore should not be considered. We hope that PennDOT will take immediate action to work with the local community to bring the two-lane Route 41 alternative to reality. Sincerely, Peter O. Hausmann Chairman of the Board cc: Hon. Edward G. Rendell S.A.V.E. Chester Co. Planning Commission Chester Co. Commissioners Southern Chester Co. Municipalities