June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Crow Wing Power Line Maintenance
To the Editor,
Feeling this way, I am greatly concerned and saddened about the way our area is sometimes "managed." I am referring to the recent "logging" of the vegetation beneath and around the power lines which Crow Wing Power has implemented. I know that every few years the power company makes a concerted effort to clean out the vegetation and trees that may become a problem during heavy winds and storms. However, the way in which this has been done is quite appalling and unnecessary. For instance, why have healthy, large trees 20 - 30' from the lines, in both directions, been taken down? Some of these trees were red and white pine and appear to have been between 50 - 100 years old. For many, they are the likes of which they will never see again in their lifetime. They were not a problem when the power company came through a few years ago, why have they suddenly become a threat now? I can see no advantage to their removal. It seems that the size of their machines dictated the "managed" areas since they all appear the same. Valuable songbird cover and nesting sites that many of our seasonal warblers depend upon have been unduly destroyed along with wildlife food sources such as raspberries, dogwood bushes, and willows, just to name a few. During early spring honeybees depend upon willows of all kinds for their nectar and pollen for growth development. These natural food source areas are paramount, especially concerning declining bee populations. In addition, they help provide biodiversity to our landscape and pose no threat to the power lines. Areas such as these may be viewed by some as "wastelands" and serve no purpose. Sadly, however, this has become their fate. When one considers the acreage beneath and around power lines, it adds up to be a significant amount of land that could greatly aid wildlife survival.
As a society we tend to mono-manage our environment and treat everything the same without any thought of future consequences. Because Crow Wing Power is cooperatively owned, I feel we have an important say both as shared owners and consumers.
It is critical that we act as stewards for the world in which we live. This means dealing with issues with forethought and not viewing ourselves as separate from the world we live in, but to act in a manner that reflects our wholeness as a society.[[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.