 by Bob Weinstein October 09, 2004
I am writing to let people know about a plan by the U.S. Forest Service to ruin the Ward Creek Trail System by opening it up to commercial outfitter and guide services. According to a recent advertisement in the newspaper, the USFS has apparently decided to bring tour buses with thousands of tourists to use the Ward Lake trail system. Just a few years ago commercialization of the Ward Creek trail system was briefly considered and, after a lot of public concern was expressed, rejected by the USFS. In my opinion, the USFS should keep the one area close to Ketchikan that is enjoyed by local residents of all ages off limits to commercial tours. Frankly, I think it is an outrage that this ill-advised concept is even being considered again. If you use Ward Lake, enjoy the quiet of its trail system, and do not want to see it overrun by tourists and tour buses, and become an extension of downtown in the summer, please join me in requesting that the USFS terminate its effort to commercialize Ward Lake. You can help save Ward Lake.
The USFS is sponsoring a public "pre-proposal" meeting
on their plan to ruin Ward Lake at 7 PM on Thursday, October
14 at the Discovery Center. Please attend, or write to Acting
District Ranger Lynn Kolund, and "just say no." Sincerely, Bob Weinstein
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sitnews.
|