Letter: Recent clear-cutting on Maxwelton ‘obscene’

Editor,

The recent clear-cut abomination on Maxwelton Road near the elementary schools was done completely legally, at the direction of its California owner. Our state Department of Natural Resources approved the application. This style of “harvesting” of natural resources is a common practice by the industrialized nations that own or lease property in emerging countries.

We are now the victims of that same “scorched earth” approach.

Owners of lands in forest tax status receive a significant tax break for maintaining these lands as forests.

The current Island County tax assessor appears to be pressuring these owners to log their lands or lose that tax break. I hope that public awareness and outrage will prevent further rapacious destruction of these cherished forests.

As you travel along that stretch of Maxwelton Road, be aware that you have a voice. Let the Department of Natural Resources and Island County commissioners know that you oppose this obscene practice.

Mel Trenor

Langley