Letters to the editor — April 1

• Published April 01, 2008

New forest set-asides benefit state residents

On March 11, an absolutely incredible gift was bestowed upon the people of Washington.

The Department of Natural Resources completed the Central Cascades Exchange that consolidated state assets into three enormous blocks of public lands. Two brand-new state forests have been formed and a third was significantly increased in size. In the Naneum, a 69,000-acre forest is created; in the Wenas, 27,000 acres form a new block; and, in the Ahtanum, that three-year-old forest increases from about 40,000 acres to over 67,000 acres. All of these are in the eastern foothills of the Cascades between Wenatchee and the Yakama Reservation. These consolidations ensure forest products, clean water, wildlife habitat and open spaces for all of us, forever, in these areas.

This outcome was anything but assured and it couldn’t have been easy. What is superbly unique here is Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland’s foresight and courage to recognize, and act upon, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.

The exchange created landscapes where all threat of conversion to housing and other non-resource uses is hereby removed. The commissioner’s ability to work with people and engender public support on a broad basis turned potentially divisive issues into a series of gems. Precious resources are conserved on a grand scale because of vision and collaboration with people who could share that long range view.

Go see what vision, risk-taking and attention to business can beget us.

Kit Metlen, Olympia

Don’t wall off the waterfront

There are compelling reasons why the 35-foot building height within 200 feet of waterfront was established.

The Shorelines Management Act recognizes the value of developing waterfront areas in a way that is consistent with public use and enjoyment, as well as environmentally sound. The current height restrictions were made part of Olympia’s comprehensive plan after public outrage over the Capitol Center Building.