Editor:
Re: Lynch Creek logs (letter, May 9 issue of the Grand Forks Gazette)
I am writing in support of Dave Talarico’s letter in regard to proposed logging in the Lynch Creek area up the North Fork.
I too, am worried about the impact that road construction and logging will have on the endangered wildlife populations that rely upon this area for their feeding grounds and migratory routes.
When noted biologists, such as Wayne McCrory, warn about the dangers of road construction and habitat fragmentation in this area, I think we should pay attention.
My frustration is that this is just one of many environmental issues requiring our attention.
For instance, there is the recent decision to approve Jumbo Wild, the impending decision to approve the Northern Gateway Project and oil tanker traffic down our west coast, and the twinning of the Kinder Morgan pipeline, to name just a few.
I think it’s time to ask the question who is responsible for stewarding our eco-systems – who are the caretakers of our commons? These forests, oceans, rivers, streams, watersheds, airsheds, foodsheds – these are our commons.
They are not owned by government or the private sector. They are the resources we have inherited from our ancestors and they are resources we are morally obligated to protect, preserve and replenish so they can be there for future generations to meet their needs.
Over the past 100 years, the resources of our commons have been privatized for commercial gain.
We have sacrificed many natural resources and wildlife in the belief that nature was resilient and could always recover. Finally, however, we are realizing that there are limits to growth.
Our ecosystems can only tolerate so much disintegration before their vital systemic interconnections collapse, destroying many life forms in the process.
Let’s not let that happen in the Lynch Creek area.
Margaret Steele, Grand Forks