The Oklahoma Rose Rock Gallery

I know the East-West Connector is being pushed like it’s already a done deal. It’s not. And before the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority can truly move forward, there are legal steps they have to follow.
Tribal consultation & sacred sites
If this project involves federal permits (like river or water crossings reviewed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), it triggers protections under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. That means consultation with Tribes and review of impacts to burial grounds and cultural sites must happen before approval.
Environmental protections aren’t optional
Before major land disturbance, contractors are required to follow stormwater rules through the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality. That includes permits, erosion controls like silt fences, and plans to prevent polluted runoff.
If those safeguards aren’t in place, it can be a violation.
And yes — there are real concerns
A March 2026 state audit raised red flags about how the OTA has handled contractor selection, including limited competition. That doesn’t automatically stop the project, but it does raise serious questions about transparency and accountability with public money.

So what can we do? Stay aware. Speak up. Document everything.

If you see something that doesn’t look right:

Take photos or video (include date and location)

Report environmental issues to ODEQ: (405) 702-6100

Contact Gentner Drummond’s office: (405) 521-3921

We shouldn’t have to be watchdogs—but right now, we are. Oklahoma is worth fighting for, and remember that nothing is impossible! David was able to take down Goliath - so have faith that we can and will defeat the giant we're facing!

Stay aware. Stay grounded. And don’t let this move forward quietly. Contact people, groups, organizations, and influencers.. Share facts about what's going on with national news, magazines, activists - anyone that you can think of. Speak out against the individuals and businesses that are profiting from this project, and spread facts far and wide. It WILL make a difference!

https://youtu.be/ji4kixXK9lE?si=IJn7Bp5rDLUrZ1Yj!

KFOR Oklahoma's News 4 89 likes, 36 comments. "Audit finds Oklahoma Turnpike Authority left ‘thin paper trail’ when hiring contractors, other confl"

A big THANK YOU to OKC Beautiful for hosting the Earth Day event, and to all of my new supporters that agree that Oklahoma's barite Rose Rocks are special and worth protecting!

Come learn about Oklahoma's barite roses, and support our efforts to preserve Rose Rock sites, at Earth Fest in OKC!

I've been working on this design for a while, and finally finished it! There's a lot of confusion regarding 'desert roses', and hopefully this will help people understand the differences! (I tried not to be too biased towards Oklahoma's roses lol 😉 learn more about them at oklahomaroserocks.com)

Did you know that barite rosettes are found in a few other places in the world? But none compare to the beauty of Oklahoma's 'Rose Rocks'! Why are they so different from all the rest? Scientists don't really know! Oklahoma's barite roses are rare and fascinating treasures that have been underappreciated.. let's get them the recognition they deserve! Share pics of your favorite Red Dirt Rose!

Doing some field work while the weather was still nice!

You might've heard Oklahoma's Rose Rocks be called "desert roses" before, but there's big differences between a barite rose and a gypsum rose! My newest post clears up the confusion and reveals some surprising facts! Can you guess which of the two roses is more rare?

Rose Rocks vs. Desert Roses - Don't Confuse the Two! Let’s dive into what makes these geological treasures unique, including how they form and how many are found each year!

Are you curious about where the OTA is planning to build the turnpike? This article shows all the maps that the OTA has been intentionally keeping out of the media: https://open.substack.com/pub/amycerato/p/are-you-in-the-right-of-way?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
KEEP FIGHTING, IT'S NOT TOO LATE

East-West Connector Preliminary Route Design east of I-35 The OTA is planning on destroying our county roads, Little River Greenbelt, watershed and rural community to build a turnpike that isn't needed.