Environmentalists’ views are elitist

Published 9:00 pm Monday, October 3, 2005

The Pilchuck Audubon Society’s position opposing the repairing of Mountain Loop Highway is our nearest example of today’s environmental organizations becoming extreme, not mainstream. They openly express disdain for the concepts of private property or public lands. They have become elitist in their belief that public lands can only be protected by keeping the public off the land, unless of course you enjoy the land the way they do.

Rebuilding the flood-damaged section of road would restore access to forest land that has been enjoyed by generations of people from our area. This highway is not necessary for an alternative commute route, but exists only for easy access to public lands. Opposing this would make those public lands inaccessible for many people to please a few. Those who are equipped for a long hike or ride will now be able to enjoy the forest in solitude, free from the sounds of little children playing in the woods on their family’s day visit to the accessible public forest. Yes, those elite campers with Gortex and polypropylene clothing, backpacks and light weight cook stoves will enjoy a more private experience in our public lands while the rest of us are stuck outside the gate.

It used to be that even dirt poor families could go out and enjoy our public lands and public parks. Now, user fees, parking fees and gates keep them out. Modern environmentalists see them not as public lands for the public use, but rather as government lands, protected by government from the public. The first environmentalists crusaded to open public lands so more people would be able to enjoy them and come to value and preserve those lands for generations. Those are the people of foresight we can thank for our environmentally friendly culture today.

Lou Kitz

Darrington