DNR shows what is wrong with system

The Herald’s Sept. 3 story, “Caught in a regulatory net,” described the order to destroy “the finest fish protection area in the county” because of a lack of permits! Ron Lavigueure redirected part of Woods Creek and repaired flood damage from work done by one state agency (the Department of Natural Resources) only to find himself in trouble with other state and federal agencies. When the government’s efforts result in flooding private property, it’s called work. When a private property owner’s effort results in helping restore two endangered salmon species, it’s called “misdemeanor polluting.”

The fact that Mr. Lavigueure is required to destroy the very habitat those agencies were created to protect in order to make an example of him, betrays their true agenda. Many people in power are bent on taking control of public and private lands. The example being made here isn’t “don’t harm the environment” but rather “you cannot do a public minded thing without first paying us (permit fees) for the privilege of asking our permission” (permits).

We are being told we cannot access some publicly owned forest lands. We must pay parking/access fees to visit many of our parks. Many more are being told they can no longer do things with their own property that once were taken for granted as a property right. Everyone who cares about the environment is asked to accept these changes in our property rights and our way of (and limits on) government as if it were the only way to be good stewards.

Mr. Lavigueure should be made an example – an example of what was once great about our country, and what’s become wrong with our government’s priorities.

Snohomish

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