In light of the intense and ongoing flooding and erosion in many parts of
Vermont, it's become clearer than ever to me that rivers need to be respected.
I don't mean revered and worshipped...I mean that humans need to pay attention
to the bigger flood-plain picture and develop accordingly. Seems to me that all
the talk going around now is to "put the river back where it belongs." I wonder
if this is, with all intentional punny-ness, a watershed moment? Why not
attempt to recognize and accomodate what is obviously the "territory" of our
streams and rivers? I'm not recommending that we demolish all dams and hope for
the best. I'm thinking specifically of those roads and bridges and culverts
which are quite obviously not up to the task of surviving high water. A road in
my area that was built to follow the sinuous curves of the Black River was
washed out in a number of spots, as the river swelled to its hundred-year-flood
parameters and then
some...why rebuild that road in the same place? Isnt' that just doing more of
the same and expecting different results? Why waste tax-payer money, why risk
the loss of more lives and property by "putting the river back where it
belongs"? I realize there are some big challenges, such as obtaining
permission to install a new road; but wouldn't it be wiser to go that route
rather than trying to rebuild and reconstruct within the flood plain?
I'm all for input and feedback! Thank you all for your thoughts and attention.
Kelly Stettner, Director
http://www.BlackRiverActionTeam.org
