Project is just a guise for business interests

I’ve heard a lot of debate surrounding the Pack River Delta Restoration Project.

The issues primarily concern possible land development surrounding the delta restoration area and funding of the delta restoration project

Many folks above are justly expressing disgust that land surrounding the restored delta may be used for commercial or residential development; a wildlife corridor is necessary to ecologically sustain the delta restoration area.

Some are expressing frustration that the lack of a prohibition of further development surrounding the delta indicates the restoration project’s primary purpose is to serve business interests, not wildlife.

Many folks feel that if the delta project is merely a guise for business interests; the Congressionally allocated funds should be used in a manner that will help the environment, not help businesses by covering up damage that will be a persistent reoccurring problem as long as the Albeni Falls Dam is in operation.

To enable a further discussion about the issues that have been raised, here are the primary questions needed to address the issues:

1. Is commercial or residential land development prohibited alongside the delta?

2. If development is not permanently prohibited on land surrounding the delta restoration, how can we as a community ensure that there is a prohibition on land development surrounding the delta restoration project?

3. The dam is the cause of the expanding delta and habitat destruction. Why not use the $800,000 to dismantle the dam?

4. How can we as citizens force the companies who have financially profited from the dam (via inflated costs and payments from consumers such as us ) to personally shoulder the entire financial responsibility of the delta restoration, thus allowing the federal tax payer money to be used for other community projects?

NASTASSJA NOELL

Ponderay