Maintenance needs adequate funding

The recent Herald article about the $300 million road maintenance backlog faced by the U.S. Forest Service was a welcome look at one of the many consequences of chronic underfunding of the agency by the Bush administration. The cursory treatment of the environmental consequences described by Gov. Gregoire was disappointing, however. The devastating effects of road erosion on our watersheds, contributing to depletion of salmon runs and pollution of our drinking water, were quickly passed over in favor of promoting vehicle access to private inholdings.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of miles of no longer necessary forest roads remaining from the logging heydays of the last century that need to be decommissioned and stabilized to protect these waters. There should be no controversy about closing these roads when the money becomes available.

Unfortunately, many roads were built along rivers without appreciation for the dynamic nature of those waters, which are constantly evolving and moving. The sad reality (for private property owners and motorized “recreationists”) is that there may be some roads that cannot be reopened while still protecting the public resources and making good use of public funds. Is it fair to ask taxpayers to subsidize these few individuals’ recreation every few years, while destroying salmon runs for all?

People may be required to adapt as the rivers change and access their property in different ways. Less than 100 years ago, these places were reached by foot or horseback. We now have mountain bikes as well. The flip side of road closure is the creation of miles of new scenic, easily accessible, low-elevation hiking, biking and in some cases, wheelchair trails. Whichever side of the “access” debate one is on, however, I urge citizens to contact their members of Congress and support adequate funding for the USFS road maintenance budget.

KATHERINE JOHNSON

Forest Practices Committee Chair

Pilchuck Audubon Society