Op/Ed: Harrison Project an Environmental Rape

The following is an opinion article and does not necessarily reflect the views of South Tahoe Now:

South Lake Tahoe Cuts 52 Trees in name of the Economy. Heavenly is what brought me to South Lake Tahoe, back in 2011. The fresh waterfalls, beautiful lake, ample forests and hiking and the list goes on is why I've stayed. I'm originally from the Gunks, back East, people know it's an outsiders paradise in upstate, NY. I'm writing because I've had twenty something jobs in my thirty years of life experience, including being a fire fighter, with duties including thinning local lots here in South Lake Tahoe. I love nature in general and love living around it, even though I had a hard time with my first few falls.

I've lived here for 3 years and I love and hate all the bureaucracy around Lake Tahoe, everyone wants to get paid for a tree to get cut. TAXES, and lots of hoops to jump through! Greed has taken over the government and the environment it feels like is suffering and nobody but a single homeowner spoke up for the trees. Thanks to all involved, but why not save more? The Harrison Ave Project killed 52 trees in the name of economic progress. I'm just quoting here, but "paved paradise and put up a parking lot"... happens everyday, my college town of Oneonta, NY had a Walmart blow up a mountain top and put their minimum wage warehouse... all because people didn't show up to meetings?

A 125 yr old tree can't stand that economic impact of 2-3 parking spots? How do you tell a 5 year old that? Trees are our elders and we need more people being upset that you can't continue to rape the land like this. 52 trees getting cut for economic growth is not cool... no matter how you spin it, marketing doesn't work... No trees are being planned for this project I was told, just landscaping. Those trees did not need any money to maintain. Please remember, when all is said and done, you can't eat money. I would prefer, in the Name Of Economic Progress, we Chop All Trees by the lake so that everyone gets a view. If you're the one holding a saw to cut a much older tree than you, just refuse. Please everyone, just refuse to cut older growth trees in the name of the dollar. It's Not Worth It!!!