Plan A Defeats Algae
(Aug. 20, 2009) Editor:
Your article on toxic blue-green algae in our rivers touched only briefly on the causes of this growing problem (“A Deadly Scum,” Aug. 13). Failing septic systems and fertilizer runoff are noted as two of those causes, and they point to the fatal flaw in the pro-growth vision for unincorporated areas of Humboldt County espoused by Humboldt Coalition for Property Rights and others.
Our river ecosystems are in fact dying of a thousand cuts, most of them tied to our land use practices. Sedimentation from unpaved roads and slurping of ever-greater amounts of surface and ground water for homesteads don’t help the rivers either. Of course we can and must improve practices to gradually mitigate these impacts, but we’ve got an emergency on our hands here. Stronger measures are called for, and reining in rural sprawl should be at the top of our to-do list.
Richard Engel, Arcata
Sweet Spot:* Let’s give Richard Engel at least this much — he eschews both bureaucratese and racial know-nothingism. He wins a Bon Boniere sundae for sending our favorite letter of the week. *
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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