Eternal and everlasting returns versus short term gains
What’s worth more?
This is the central question to the protection of America’s
Salmon Forest in Southeast Alaska. The
Tongass, Namely The Tongass 77
The Tongass is massive.
It’s huge. Its so big, so diverse, so unique. So unlike any other ecosystem in the world.
Right now, The Tongass needs protection so it can survive in
perpetuity. There’s 77 distinct
watersheds that are the backbone of the salmon and wildlife web that are so irreplaceable
that Trout Unlimited of Alaska and other conservation groups have named these
watersheds as the most important of the entire region.
So choices are presented, and you have to decide what’s the
best way to use our resources.
A couple of generations accumulate wealth versus an entire
region maintaining it’s economic lifeblood for generation, after generation
after generation
It’s the thousands of linear board feet opposed to the 17,000
miles of cool clear streams and flawless spawning gravel for all 5 species of
Pacific Salmon, char, resident rainbows
and steelhead.
Its privatization of what is now public lands or keeping
them for the public good forever.
It’s a proactive approach to conservation as opposed to
waiting for the inevitable decline…..and then reacting with a mitigation plan
that’s akin to putting a band aide over
a flat lining heart attack.
It’s silt vs spawning gravel
Cedar stumps or Chinook salmon
Gold versus Coho
Commercial fisherman, guides and their families versus
several proposed hydroelectric projects around Southeast Alaska.
It’s wave after wave of sockeye salmon completing their
lifecycle and bringing ocean based nutrients to the entire stream, forest and
animal versus stock prices.
The paradox of resources will always battle on but the
answer to this is question is obvious.
Protect the Tongass, America’s Salmon Forrest forever.
The Last Salmon Forest IF4 selection from
Detonation Studios on
Vimeo.
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This is my submission to the Trout Unlimited 2013 Blogger Tour sponsored by Fishpond, Tenkara USA and RIO, and hosted by the Outdoor Blogger Network.
