Letters to the editor for Aug. 27

The problem with grounded bats

I would like to add a comment concerning the article in The Olympian, “Leave injured, sick bats where they are to avoid rabies,” on Aug. 3.

My wife and I recently found a bat laying on our driveway. At first, we thought it was injured or dead, but it was clearly alive, and we wondered what to do with it. This bat displayed obvious signs of trying to fly away, but his wings were unable to produce the full range of wing movement required while lying on the ground, as his wings kept driving into the pavement instead. Bats do not have legs or wings like birds and cannot fly away while on the ground.

After several calls to Washington state and wildlife rescue agencies we learned that the bat was apparently “grounded” and could not fly away on its own without sufficient elevation — i.e., above the ground several feet such as on a tree limb or building. It was suggested by one of the agencies to try and place the bat in another location above the ground, which we did, carefully and while wearing gloves.

While the advice we received and action we took is contrary to the article, it was difficult for us to leave the bat alone. My comments serve only to explain how or why you may find a bat on your property, not so much what you should do if you find one.

Dan W. Brown, Olympia

Cleaning up near Briggs YMCA

I railed on this subject a few months back so here I go again. For those who live near the Briggs YMCA, we are finally seeing the area picked up as well as the trees, grasses and shrubs cut down. Even the massive amounts of litter in the streets has been removed and as expected, more of it is starting to take its place. Obviously, nothing can be done about those who like to sit in their vehicles, then toss their empty bags, beverage cups and uneaten leftovers to the pavement.

Along with them are the so-called responsible dog owners who make a show out of bagging their dog’s poop then when they think no one is looking, casually discard it along the sidewalks instead of taking it home.

Seeing the results of this first hand, I will now ask of those dog owners: Just “fake” picking up the dog poop with your bags. This is because your dog’s poop is biodegradable and will eventually disappear. Not so the case with your bright and colorful poop bags, neatly tied in a knot. Again, just leave your dog’s poop where it lies and forget the charade. And don’t tell people you are a responsible pet owner because you are not. Thank you.

Bob Hill, Olympia

No to federal vegetation removal program

I am writing to protest the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) vegetation removal program in Utah and throughout the West. I am surprised and alarmed that the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument was targeted. The vegetation removal program is essentially unreviewed and extremely destructive. It is distressing that native vegetation such as pinion pine, sage brush, and juniper forests are being targeted by vegetation removal agendas where huge anchor chains, bull hog masticators, and front end loaders are needlessly attacking our beautiful Southwest desert.

I am especially alarmed that public input has been squelched and that there is no scientific review of these harmful projects. Science has been viciously attacked in our current political climate, leading our society down a dangerous road. I was born and raised in Utah and have seen how fragile and special our desert Southwest is. I am also well aware of how blind and ignorant a certain element in Utah is to environmental conservation, particularly BLM officials and Utah politicians.

Wendy Lagerquist, Olympia