Dear HCN,
Your articles describing
the Cove-Mallard Coalition fall far short of your usual in-depth
reporting. They also imply support of their activities (to halt
logging of old-growth trees, HCN, 2/5/96). While the coalition’s
goal may be worthwhile, their methods stink. The Cove-Mallard sale
may or may not be perfect but the Forest Service has made
significant changes.
I have lived in Elk City,
home of Shearer Lumber Co., for nine years and still reside in
Idaho County. Here is what I have heard about the Cove-Mallard
Coalition:
* Members have harassed families of
Forest Service employees living at Red River Ranger Station. They
have insulted the wives of employees of Shearer Lumber
Co.
* They have chained themselves to county
vehicles. If there had been an emergency elsewhere, these officials
could not have responded and local lives would have been at
risk.
* They have defecated on the doorstep of
the Red River Ranger Station.
* They have plugged
culverts on the Cove-Mallard sale.
These are
grandstand, eco-warrior, terrorist tactics. These and other
incidents have created fear, anger, disgust and distrust against
the environmental community in Idaho County. These acts, coupled
with responses from hot-headed individuals on the other side, have
caused what may be permanent rifts in any discussions about
environmental issues.
The environmental debate
requires respect for each other, cooperation, collaboration and
communication as we seek common ground and sustainability of
resources, economies and lifestyles.
Earth
First!’s and Cove-Mallard Coalition’s tactics do not make it easy
for others to join them in the debate. They cannot claim the moral
high ground in this debate.
Mindy
Wiebush
Kooskia,
Idaho
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline The other side of Cove-Mallard protests.
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