Industrial Development Has No Place in Parks
Morgantown Dominion Post
11 February 2010
Letter to Editor
There’s a threat to our state parks that has me worried.
I love the parks. My favorite is Blackwater Falls State Park. You
probably have a favorite too, whether it’s Holly River, Twin Falls or
any of our wonderful state parks. We go to the parks for their natural
beauty and peace, to meet with friends and family and to enjoy
beautiful landscapes and outdoor recreation — fishing, hiking, camping
and more.
What’s the threat? Gas drilling and gas field development. Yes, right
in the state parks. Right now an out-of-state company is demanding the
right to do just that in one of our state parks. Can you envision your
favorite state park during and after gas drilling and development?
Clearcuts, pipelines, roads, noise, traffic — all the things we go to
the state parks to get away from.
Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against gas — at least it burns
cleaner than coal.
But this kind of industrial development just has no place in our parks.
I cringe to think what Blackwater would be like — and Blackwater is one
of the many state parks totally vulnerable if drilling in the first
park goes through.
I’m hoping that our decision makers will act to assure that our state
parks, our public “crown jewels,” will always stay as pristine and
inviting as they are now.
Jim Sconyers
Terra Alta