The Feb. 16 story “Local timber voices weigh in on BPA project” lists small-scale timberland owners/tree farmers among those timber voices “troubled by a possible loss of productive timberland.” So here is one of those voices reporting on more than 50 years of experience with the Yale-Merwin transmission line that bisects our four-generation family tree farm our conclusion is that transmission lines and tall timber don’t mix.
Now BPA may impact that same tree farm with its proposed Line 18 segment, which runs parallel to, but separate from, the Yale-Merwin right of way. Our small business enterprise would then lose double the amount of productive timberland and tree farming the chopped-up remainder would be a nightmare.
Please don’t drive small-scale timberland owners out of business.
Lee Witter
North Bend
