Don’t cover the water

Regarding the Ashland Water Department’s plan to pipe the 2-mile stretch of open water (estimated cost: $4 million), I will attempt to raise the project team’s awareness on behalf of the wildlife that frequents our treasured canal.

This riparian trail and the wildlife are, for many, the reason we love Ashland. How fortunate to live surrounded by wildlife and large trees! If the project moves forward, the project team has identified 286 trees for removal, many established Douglas fir and ponderosa pine.

Have you ever experienced the canal at dawn or dusk and spied a mother bear and her cubs playing in the Ashland canal? Or, imagine being on a sun-dappled trail witnessing three evening grosbeaks drinking water in unison. Or coming upon a doe lying peacefully in the cool water. Or watching western screech owl parents teach their juvenile owlets how to hunt in a riparian setting. Truly awe-inspiring!

The water project team called wildlife “an attractive nuisance,” and said the wildlife will just seek other water sources elsewhere.

Why the grim attitude toward wildlife? How much is this riparian treasure worth? It’s priceless! Let’s celebrate what makes Ashland unique — don’t cover the water!

Leigh Hood

Ashland