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Conservation Corner
by Heath Wakelee |
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The Christmas Conservation GrinchAs the Sierra Club's Melinda Pierce says, "For them, they win once, and it's all over. For us, we win, and we just live to fight another day." I’m not in the habit of quoting the Sierra Club, but Melinda’s statement is right on. In Placer County one developer was encouraged to build more responsibly (and still make the same amount of money), but decided to level hundreds of acres of blue oak trees instead. Oak habitat that is lost forever. On the other hand, not all developers are irresponsible; Whitney Ranch developer Newland Communities in Rocklin purchased 1,000 acres of Swanson’s Hawk habitat that was not required mitigation. Bravo! So who is the environmental Christmas Grinch? California has two contenders: Congressman Pombo tops many lists (higher even on some lists than Alaska’s Senator Stephens) and our own Congressman Doolittle is certainly a contender. Who gets your vote for the environmental bad cop? Will the Delta be viable with more water removed? Does it matter if forests are logged down to the edge of a stream? Should we reduce the restrictions on dumping harmful chemicals into waterways or into the jet stream? I urge all Granite Bay Flycasters members to become more environmentally informed and politically active. I urge you to take a stand, speak out and write letters to your decision-makers. Don’t wait for me to write for you – especially since I may not represent your views. Spend four hours per year (two hours credit for every letter) letting others know your beliefs and you will make a difference. I guarantee it! Next month I’ll write about who to contact, so be thinking about those short, very short letters. Heath Wakelee VP Conservation Granite Bay Flycasters |
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