Letters to the Editor Nov. 12, 2009

Paper needs to dig deeper into Tolowa Dunes issue

I would like to thank The Triplicate and Kurt Madar for writing two front page articles regarding the Tolowa Dunes land transfer. It is an important issue for this community and an issue that merits one more article, an article that sheds light on the background leading up to the change that occurred this year.

Why did the change occur and why this year? As stated in both articles, if hunting has been illegal since 2001, why has it been allowed for the last eight years? What mistakes were made? Was State Parks supposed to work out the transfer with Department of Fish and Game, or was hunting supposed to stop?

The opponents to the land transfer say it is an issue of government following policy and state regulation and sharing the information with the public and not an issue of allowing hunting or not allowing hunting. I agree with statements made in the article on Nov. 5. Let’s get all the information out, including the history.

If there is a question as to whether the transfer is in accordance with regulation and policy, who is to say that the land being designated as a state parks in 2001 was in compliance with state policy and regulations? Did it allow for local community input or was the decision made in Eureka?

Does the land transfer to Department of Fish and Game allow uses that could have far more impact on species biodiversity and cultural resource protection? Was species diversity and cultural resource protection considered when establishing it as a state park in 2001?

These questions need to be answered. My personal feeling based on my understating of the two agencies is that the Department of Fish and Game would have more of an obligation to maintain and improve habitat and diversity for species while ensuring that cultural resources be protected. Human use would be secondary and limited.

State Parks management would be balancing species diversity and management with human use. Cultural resource protection would be as it has been in other state parks, resources would be displayed for viewing as an attraction, exposed to public disturbance whenever the park is open. Similar to Jedediah Smith State Park and Patrick’s Point.

Mr. Madar, I ask you to do one more article that digs deeper into the history of the issue finding the answers to the questions above.

Cary Japp

Crescent City

Proposes a second look at Last Chance section roadwork

I have lived in Del Norte County for over 80 years. The purpose of this letter is to again bring up an issue I believe to be of great importance to our county.

The roadwork now being done on the Last Chance section of Highway 101 a few miles north of Klamath mirrors the work that has been going on for years. But last week when I drove to Eureka, I noticed the road itself sinking in places. I expressed my concern to Kevin Church, the CalTrans overseer on the work now being performed by a private contractor. He very kindly sent me detailed information on the project.

The Value Analysis Report of January 2003, which Mr. Church sent me, includes the disturbing assertion by a geotechnical survey done on the area in 1999 and 2000 that the type of repair work now being done on the road does not address the potential for a deep slide occurring along this section.

In the report, permanent solutions to the problem were deemed unacceptable because of their impact on old growth redwood trees. While I understand why this is of key concern to our area, I feel the impact on our county if the road did give way in a major slide is too disastrous to ignore. The potential loss of life and revenue generated by a deep slide would affect both Del Norte and Humboldt counties and isolate Del Norte from the south coast and Humboldt from the North Coast for many years.

I propose a second look at the situation is necessary and that despite the drawbacks of alternative routes, a permanent solution needs to be enacted. Such a solution would undoubtedly take a long time and cost a lot of money, but ignoring the potentially disastrous effects of a deep slide appears to me to be the height of folly.

Perhaps concerned residents in our area could form a group to reopen discussion on this issue. As for me, I am too old to lead or even participate in such a group. However, I suggest everyone take a good hard look at this section of road when they travel over it and decide for themselves whether or not they agree with me.

Thank you for your attention.

                                           Kenneth Ives

Crescent City