Find the balance regarding gopher habitat

I read with interest the comments from reader Ron Waitman about the gopher issue.

We live in the endangered gopher habitat, and a small project we want to undertake on our property may be impacted by the gopher habitat rules.

Are we happy about it? Of course not; we’d love to be able to just do what we want to do, but it’s not just about us. At some point human beings have to start considering what impact our actions have on those around us – other human beings, animals, and the environment – do we want to hang on to what nature we have left or continue to consume and use without regard to the consequences?

Our little project alone isn’t going to cause the extinction of the pocket gopher, but combine it with mindless development and it could. These animals ARE important in nature, they are part of the food chain Mr. Waitman mentions, but apparently since human beings don’t eat them they have no value to him.

There needs to be a balance between maintaining landowners’ rights and maintaining the environment. No, it isn’t right for property owners to lose their investments, but it also isn’t right to destroy the balance of nature.

Do I think the Feds and the county have the answer yet? No, and they need to work with private citizens to develop a balanced solution. If humans are as superior as Mr. Waitman says we are I’m sure we can find the answer.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Find the balance regarding gopher habitat."