Letters from June 27, 2007

Clear Creek Trail

Why all the destruction?

This weekend marked week three since it was reported in the Central Kitsap Reporter (Saturday, June 2) that a section of the Clear Creek Trail would be closed for “timber management.” It was with much relief that I headed down to the trail. I was shocked beyond belief at what I saw. The total and utter random destruction of the forest seemed senseless.

Greg Bergstrom, Harrison Medical Center Silverdale assistant director of facilities, was quoted in the Reporter as saying Washington Timber Management, of Olympia, determined “it needed timber management to keep the trees and wildlife healthy.” From what I could see, portions of trees were knocked down and broken off and just left there. How could this be healthy for either? Bergstrom also stated Washington Timber Management “is going to minimize crossing the section of Clear Creek Trail to avoid damaging the trees and wildlife closest to the path.” He went on to say “they are going do everything they can to minimize damage to the forest from being seen from the trail.” It leaves me wondering, was there a breakdown in communication between them? There are large sections of the trail that are torn through. In order not to see the damage, one would have to avoid walking the trail all together.

It was the first time in all the years that I have spent walking the trail that I couldn’t wait to leave.

PENNY BARRY

Silverdale

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