I have lived in Washington my whole adult life, grew up in Fall City, and I attended the meeting as a supporter of grizzly bear restoration in the North Cascades (“Hello no to grizzlies’: Darrington locals give federal agencies an earful,” The Herald, Nov. 4). As the daughter of a logger, I learned to love the great outdoors. For me, the benefits of restoring grizzlies greatly outweigh the risks. In my lifetime we’ve protected these lands so they could be a refuge for wildlife, including the grizzly, which roamed here for thousands of years. The decision to exterminate the grizzly in the 19th century should not result in a permanent loss, especially when we have the tools, experience and habitat to welcome them back.
I submitted written comments at the meeting, because participants were told that all comments would be equally valued. However, this story only paid attention to those willing to wave signs and grandstand. I wish the reporter did not discount those of us who wrote comments and privately testified. The article stated that “locals almost unanimously opposed to the proposed reintroduction” but over 20 percent of public testimony was in favor of restoration.
Many of those hesitant to restore grizzlies decried the loss of salmon, deer, elk, and other species in our state. People at the meeting yearned for a rejuvenation of our natural resources and said “hell yes” to recovering the natural splendors of our state. The story missed an opportunity to emphasize the common longing we all share for better management of and resilience for our natural treasures.
Gay Norman
Bothell
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