<< And maybe those environmentalists ought to give up counter-productive
lawsuits and consider a more constructive approach. Instead of giving
their sweat and treasure to line the pockets of lawyers and politicians
why don't they put their efforts into promoting alternative
technologies- start companies and non-profit organizations that help low
income people and struggling small farmers implement eco-friendly
technologies that could improve their lot economically as well as ease
their impact on the local ecosystem as well as mittigate the cumulative
impact further downstream. An approach like Habitat for Humanity funded
by private donation and employing volunteer labor. Could do everything
from building water troughs and planting stream buffers to creating
artificial wetlands that filter barnyard waste.
>>
Jeff, I like and agree with this comment [though not necassarily the other
ones you made :)]. I have been a part of several project such as
this....organized and funded in-part by the Feds, I might add! These are
on-going efforts to involve local landowners to help protect fish and aquatic
habitats on their property. The Feds provide funding for fencing, wells etc.
The landowners are often doing this in hopes that a species can be protected
without listing it. One of the biggest problems in situations like this is
when environmental groups sue the FWS to list the species and designate
critical habitat. The landowners catch wind of this and invaribly pull out.
If this happens, they then blame the FWS for listing the fish ("you lied to
us and said we could do this without listing the fish!") and pretty much,
everyone looses. Sometimes it takes years to develop trust and cultivate a
cooperative atmosphere with a community. Then sombody hauls in a lawyer from
the "Big City" and it all goes to hell.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's unfair to point fingers at any
one group or organization, and the Feds are not always the bad guys!
J.R.
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