Hundreds of species of flowering plants grow on Paradise Ridge south of Moscow, Idaho, a long, narrow rise that contains some of the best remnants of the native grasslands that once blanketed the Palouse Prairie. The ridge is home to about a dozen rare plant species, including the federally protected Spalding’s catchfly, and its timbered draws contain some of Latah County’s last mature ponderosa pine stands. But Paradise Ridge also lies along the most direct route for rebuilding 5 miles of U.S. Highway 95, according to the Idaho Transportation Department. Agency officials say the reconstruction, at a cost of about $50 million, will reduce congestion and accident rates on Idaho’s main north-south highway/Becky Kramer, SR. More here.

Question: Should the Idaho Transportation Department push ahead with the best alignment for US 95, south of Moscow? Or seek an alternative that will spare rare plant species, grasses & mature ponderosa pine stands?