In response to Larry Brant’s March 19 letter, “Restoration projects are working,” regarding the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Comprehensive Conservation Plan, elimination of walk-in hunting is just one of several significant issues. Our state Department of Fish and Wildlife is not even in favor of the dike breaching called for in alternative No. 2 because it goes against the Pacific flyway management plan for dusky Canada geese.
The cost of breaching dikes, building trails, viewing platforms and interpretive centers is another. Enough cost to get the attention of our new Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Camas, who held a town hall meeting in Ilwaco on March 13.
In regard to the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, we hope that these missing waterfowl are still alive, that the elimination of the freshwater and protected food forage will not be too detrimental to their migration. The biologists will tell you that once the salt marsh takes hold and develops they believe the ducks will come back. However, the claim that restoration projects are working is extremely premature. We don’t know that yet. Perhaps we should delay these dike-removal plans at other refuges until we really do know.
Willapa is not Nisqually. I see a plan to spend millions for no significant benefit to salmon restoration here.
