Concerned about eco-tourism negatives

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I’m a 30-year Skagitonian, married to a Bellingham native who is observing an alarming, insidious thread running through many local groups touting “environmental” causes.

This thread is the few people, omnipresent on the green scene, that belong to many environmentally related groups in Whatcom and Skagit counties. These people earn livings in the “eco-tourism” industry.

Eco-tourism reaps financial benefit from planning, development and marketing of trails and associated facilities. Development is ideally funded through you, the taxpayer.

Then you’ll need subsequent eco-classes, tours and publications about the “environment” surrounding those busy trails. Also consider generated garbage, sewage, medical and police. Who pays? You will.

It’s quieter than logging or construction, but is the end product, increased human traffic for private profit, really in our environment’s “best interests”? Citizens, service and community groups opposing the Chuckanut Mountains Park District disagree.

If it was, wouldn’t trail contractors promote this capitalist activity up front, instead of subverting “environmental” groups to promote their goals?

Wolves in sheep’s clothing are working together, throughout our counties, to turn a profit from “alternative development” of your environment.

Ellen Cooley
Bow

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