[BCNnet] heron editorial Post-Tribune

[Carolyn A. Marsh]

System works to save Highland heron nests
(http://www.post-trib.com/news/opinion/511237,edit.article)

August 16, 2007

In an age when calls to protect the environment often fall on deaf ears, it
was heartening to hear this week that nature won out over development. 

And while the environmentalists came out on top, it was an even more
stunning victory for one of the Earth's most magnificent birds -- the great
blue heron. 

We aren't talking about the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, but an area on
the south side of the Little Calumet River in Highland. 

The town of Highland last year announced the receipt of a $55,000 federal
grant from the Lake Michigan Coastal Program. The town was going to put up a
$55,000 match to do the planning for construction of a recreation facility
on an island in the river. 

The unfortunate part of the town's action is that it appeared to give
virtually no weight to the objections of the Sand Ridge Audubon Society, the
Oversight Committee of the Highland Redevelopment Commission and scores of
town residents. 

The Redevelopment Commission seemingly refused to heed the caution that
developing the island likely would destroy the heron rookery just to the
south of the island and west of Cline Avenue. 

The herons come to the rookery to breed each year. As many as 110 nests of
the magnificent birds have been counted. 

While the town was wrong to even consider the river development, it also
deserves recognition for admitting its mistake and backing away from the
project. 

The town is taking it a step further and is asking its Park Board to convey
the land to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The donation of the
land would serve as the local match for a change in the scope of the plan to
use the federal money to create a nature area to protect the rookery.
Government can work when it listens to the people.

 

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