Hurricane debris rant

[nolawitch58]

To Whom It May Concern:

When I returned home to the New Orleans area earlier in the week, I learned that the tree debris from the hurricane was being trucked to Lafreniere Park and turned into mulch. Does anyone with some authority in this matter understand what a waste mulching the tree debris is? Ask anyone in the area what a better use would be for that debris.

Understand that part of the problem that contributed to this devastation is the erosion of the wetlands. If you want to see the evidence of this erosion, visit http://www.lacoast.gov/maps/animations/index.htm. Look at any of the animations to see how we are losing so much protection within our lifetimes. Every year we are told to place our Christmas trees out for collection to be placed along the coast in order to retard the erosion. Hurricane Katrina created much more tree debris than the most festive holiday season in the area. Why is this debris not being put where it could be useful?

Before anyone counters with the argument that the amount of tree debris won't have much of an impact, be aware that the journey of a thousand miles always begins with one step. The debris would have more of a positive impact strewn along the coast than piled in chunks in Lafreniere Park. That impact may not be huge, but why aren't we trying to do something positive with the results of something so negative? Why are those trees being wasted a second time? Doesn't anyone in charge have a vision for the future? Why are we once again squandering our resources for expediency's sake?

Comments

[thewrongcrowd.livejournal.com]

Good letter. Nature Conservancy has a wetlands program (http://nature.org/initiatives/programs/birds/) that would include that part of the state. They might be interested in your letter as well and able to add a little outside pressure.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Done. I hope they have some clout.

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

That makes absolutely no sense at all. The tree debris in my neighborhood far exceeded the xmas tree trash.
The idiots need to "do the math"
Anyway, how are ya? My home is a mess, but I was able to retrieve allot of stuff. Pictures in my lj. Fortunately, there is no "scratch and sniff" feature on any known browser.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

You don't need to tell me how smelly it is. I've got a semi-functional nose.

I'm swell. The house is swell. Now I have to get over this cold or whatever is causing my sinuses to drain and sneeze. I have a suspicion it may be a mold allergy. I've never had one before, but then I've never been around so much nastiness floating in the air before either.

[goddessmusings.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, hadn't thought of a mold allergy. I'm doing the same thing. Sinuses are going batty and I'm sneezing my head off.

very off topic

[ozanbaba.livejournal.com]

now i am wondering how pagan weddings are

:P

Re: very off topic

[solitary4now.livejournal.com]

btw..Ive seen some beautiful pagan weddings (handfastings)

Re: very off topic

[ozanbaba.livejournal.com]

but how s it done ?

[solitary4now.livejournal.com]

THAT WAS MY FIRST THOUGHT!!! if the few christmas trees we donate to the wetlands every year can make a difference what about all this tree debris???? Its not just there in Metarie...My neighbors who own like a gazillion acres of land here in north st tammany are making a fortune leasing their land for tree debris to be burnt...my house smells like smoke, my car smells like smoke and when I am outside my hair smells like smoke...Im watching at least a hundred trucks a day dump huge amounts of tree debris in this field...and everyone is making bank and that is why its being done..Im assuming money has a part in whats going on over there also...If dump truck owners were being paid by the amount of compostable debris they deliver to the wetland program everyone would be better served...but no...gas is too expensive so truckers would have to make fewer trips and landowners leasing the burning land wouldnt make the money...its sad...and I want to beat the crap out of everyone doing it...

[loosechanj.livejournal.com]

Some politician's brother-in-law sells mulch?