Haw River park protects environment
The following is a Counterpoint:
By Maureen Parker
With global warming, climate change, melting glacial ice, dying polar bears, hybrid and hydrogen cars, cool cities, vanishing species, bee colony collapses, declining bird populations, deforestation, recycling, green energy, green awareness, water pollution, air pollution and draught so constantly in the news these days, it seems inconceivable that the Guilford Country commissioners would rezone land next to the protected Haw River State Park in favor of a golf course and a gated community.
If this happens, it suggests our elected officials are living in the past when trees were cut with impunity and no one thought much about it. Earth was lush and green then, and filled with life. There were so many trees that a few didn't matter one way or the other.
The point is that they did matter. We just didn't realize it.
Perhaps past commissioners didn't know what they were doing, but unless current commissioners exist in a fantasy world, they must be aware that environmental stewardship is crucial to Earth's life and future. Many drops of water make an ocean; many trees help make a healthy environment. The 700 acres of land earmarked for Haw River State Park should remain so.
Long ago, John Muir said, "When one tugs on any single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
When money is involved, nature almost always loses. Even when "balance" is sought between conservation and development, the natural world is gradually chipped away. A little beauty disappears here, a few trees there, and after a while we notice that much of what used to be lovely is gone.
Concrete does not soothe the soul. Wilderness does that. Mountains and trees do that. Deer and rivers do that -- and wild geese flying south in long vees.
A News and Record editorial (Aug. 2) stated that North Carolina's 1999 goal of preserving one million acres of land from development by 2009 is more than 50 percent behind schedule.
Guilford commissioners will decide if the Haw River land will become part of the state park system or if it will be sacrificed on the altar of development.
That North Carolina has funds available to purchase the land for the park makes Haw River State Park a hopeful possibility. Apparently, even trees now require money for survival.
The writer lives in Greensboro.
Comments (7)
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Bee colony collapse? Gee as bee keeper, I thought that came from mites.And while you are talking about money, tell us how much NC is spending on the bee problem. Cell phones are also getting the blame for bee loss. Want to outlaw cell phones?
Posted on October 5, 2007 6:24 AM
As this proposed development is next to a state park and the state has the funds to purchase the land I prefer exansion of a state park over a development. Yes, conservatives like parks too!
I don't, however, believe that more polar bears are going to die if the commissioners rezone the land for development.
I do believe the commissioners will favor green in their decision, green as in money that is. Politicians are addicted to taxpayer money and property taxes from 700+ homes valued at $500K or more will be too difficult to resist. I hope I'm wrong.
Posted on October 5, 2007 6:47 AM
Wow! I could not have spelled out more vividly the gospel of the environmental religion that I have talked about in the past!
I am not against the park claiming the acreage in question BUT the LAME reasons as to why the proposed development by BlueGreen should be blocked are laughable! Everyone acts like they are experts in Biology, Climatology and Geology when all they truly are, are cult members following the teaching s of their magnanimous Cult leaders that are all over the media these days!
Posted on October 5, 2007 9:20 AM
What many in Guilford County are not fully realizing is that the majority of the 700 (+/-) houses will be in ROCKINGHAM County! Therefore, GC will not be the beneficiary of the larger portion of property taxes. However, because part of the land parcel is in GC, it requires GC approval. I can only hope that Rockingham officials are being lobbied as strongly as those in GC.
Shalom
Posted on October 5, 2007 10:35 AM
Darryl:
I think that you've got it backward. Rockingham Co. would get less than two dozen homes; they would also get the water treatment plant. Most of the development would be in Guilford Co.
Cheers.
Posted on October 5, 2007 2:10 PM
Somebody pass the bong to this woman. And for the record, golf courses aren't made out of concrete. Based on this letter, I've changed my mind on this development. Although I'd personally prefer the state park, I just can't give up the despair of the tree-hugging contingent should this development come to pass.
Posted on October 5, 2007 3:00 PM
I'll continue to oppose the development, but I would like the Parks Commission to explain how they will keep the polar bears from wandering outside the park boundary.
Wow, they'll let just about anybody write a counter-point.
Posted on October 5, 2007 3:28 PM