Letters to the editor Aug. 14

When the trees fall

In the 1960s I worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, so I am aware of the pressure on federal agencies like the Forest Service to “not just stand there, do something.”

We passed around a hand-written letter from a citizen to FDR suggesting that the way to solve the flood problem on the Mississippi would be to drill holes in the bottom of the river and put in plugs that could be removed when there was danger from floods.

At the time it seemed ludicrous, but so was the building of dams to protect downstream homeowners, subsequently flooding homes upstream.

These days we have a more realistic view of rivers and their floodplains, and a changing attitude toward the effects of dams on the landscape, and there are other landscapes that deserve our consideration.

Recently, I visited one of several proposed projects on the Kootenai National Forest, the Black Ram. There are over 20 projects in the Kootenai; I believe the Black Ram is the largest and most controversial. I have never visited such a large, self-regulating system, except during a brief swim near a coral reef. We have a pretty good idea of what’s happening with the reefs, which should be instructive for our attitude toward old growth.

To reach the old-growth forest we had to cross a fire line which had been logged at the time of the Davis Fire. It is now a dismal expanse of stumps, bordered by debris from trees that have blown down as the result of cutting. Between that barrier and the road, the a group was spraying weeds that had invaded since the fire line was created. The young men didn’t know the name of the grasses nor the name or nature of the herbicide they were using.

There’s not much old growth left in the world; it’s mostly in the Amazon and the Tongass. But the Kootenai has some in the Yaak, in the Black Ram. The purpose of the Forest Service project is to “help move the landscape toward the desired condition.” Yet we’ve seen so often what the results of our helpfulness have been.

If a tree falls in the forest, we don’t have to hear it to know that the “gap dynamics” will provide opportunities for growth and species diversity. The old growth in the Black Ram isn’t particularly human friendly. The Black Ram isn’t there for me, but I’m glad it’s there, from its mycorrhizae to its canopy.

— Karin Connelly, West Glacier

C-Falls rallies to save its town

An Aug. 9 public hearing before the Columbia Falls Planning Board was a wonderful shining example of how a community, when coming together to oppose a developer, can succeed in “saving our town.”

One board member pointed out that people buying land in the Flathead have so much money that they have to find something large-scale to invest in. Columbia Falls discovered that the developer that proposed a 450 unit development did not take in to consideration our safety, environment and numerous other devastating elements, especially the fact it would have ruined the character of our beautiful Gateway to Glacier Community.

Over 200 people showed up to express their concerns and point out the inadequacies and flaws in the plan. The community spoke and the board listened. Thank you. I am so proud of the community of Columbia Falls. This proposed atrocity woke up the “giant” which is called community.

The proposal goes before the City Council on Aug. 29, at Columbia Falls Jr. High at 7 p.m., for approval or denial. The planning board unanimously denied support of it, so we are hopeful the council will also deny it.

Our work will never be done in our gateway community, but its citizens have woken up and said no to massive subdivisions that ruin our infrastructure and small town spirit.

Thank you Columbia Falls, and thank you planning board for listening to your community.

— Gary Hall, Columbia Falls

The house abortion built

Who can argue the following statement regarding abortion: Legalized abortion normalized promiscuity, promoted fatherlessness, and secured a view of children so bereft of humanity that we won’t even call them children anymore. It put more pressure on women to have sex without commitment and less pressure on men to commit.

This is the house abortion built. It led us to see children as things — even burdens — instead of image bearers of God. But lies never have the power to change God’s design.

Now I’m sure there are many who would look to dispute the existence of God because, like Frank Sinatra they “Did it my way.” But what has that led to? High rates of loneliness, depression, suicide … if that’s the case, I want it His way.

I pray for our country, Lord gave mercy on us.

— Kevin Donahue, Kalispell