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Leave the trees alone

Fri., Aug. 19, 2011

I have been using the Coeur d’Alene Beach/Park and North Idaho Beach on the Spokane River for 70 years. There has always been shade and lots of trees. I question the qualifications of the Army Corps of Engineers and its obviously stupid decision to require the removal of the trees lining the bank along the river/lake.

It only takes a second to see that erosion takes place where there is no vegetation. This dike is made up of sand and gravel and would obviously be unsafe without trees and grass covering it. Engineers need to do a proper study before their blanket policy of cutting trees. The dike would be unsafe for generations while the tree roots from the cut trees rot and decompose.

I say to the engineers: duh! Go back to school.

James Peters

Post Falls

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