Letters: People locally need to beprotecting Elk Creek more

I would like to ask Ron Cole and the members of Crescent City Heritage Coalition and their attorney Pat Hagen and a member of the press to take a walk with me along all the small creeks that make up the drainage system for Elk Creek.

They would have an eye-opening when the first rains come. If they think Wal-Mart's Environmental Impact Report would not protect Elk Creek, they should see a number of local businesses that are currently polluting it.

People forget that steelhead and salmon go up Elk Creek. Is Elk Creek a healthy stream? No. But where are the county Health Department and the county blight officer and the city blight officer?

The Walgreen's drug store being built next to Highway 101 and its parking lot will drain into the wetlands within the fairgrounds that run into Elk Creek, too. But I did not see Ron Cole at any City Council meetings asking about its EIR. I would gladly take Ron Cole and his attorney for a walk. I believe that the county, city, the state fish and game people, the state water quality people and members of Crescent City Heritage Coalition and the Friends of Del Norte need a wake-up call.

People need to be protecting Elk Creek more. Elk Creek is a resource that the community as a whole has turned over to the homeless community and to a number of local businesses who have no care for the local environment. It is time that all of us start asking questions. I also think that someone from the press and Mr. Cole should be talking to Rural Human Services and its stream person. Maybe they would be better-educated on real pollution problems within the drainage of Elk Creek.

Richard Miles

Crescent City