Public Comments

This morning i was making a public comment for the US Fish and Wildlife Service concerning marbled murrelets in the Elliot State Forest, as part of a draft environmental impact statement. As a director on the local watershed council, i attempt to keep informed of all relevant decisions in resource management in the local area. The Elliot State Forest is the home stomping grounds of Grandma Treetoad - a berkeley peace studies graduate, and all sorts of amazing critters. The Elliot State Forest is also designated as revenue for Oregon Schools - very necessary right now because the Rural Schools Act of 2000 is on tender terms for renewal.

Thomas Cech in his textbook Principles of Water Resources describes twelve federal water agencies in policy and brief history in 40 pages. Plus there are local water agencies, regional water agencies, state water agencies and multistate water agencies described in the next 23 pages. So 63 out of 454 pages of book is describing who has jurisdiction over what - not a single water rule. Methinks we are so overwhelmed with supervision, that we cannot get a straight clear answer on any issue based on any reason, or aspect of reason.

Can't we make it all the over and above sight just go away. Leave the land to be managed by the people who support themselves from it. Ah, Bartlebey.

The Elliot State Forest from Grandma TreeToad's Back Porch