L’Observateur / April 29, 2000

DEAR EDITOR: Soccer and baseball fields may not be possible on the 12 1/2-acre of wetlands in Luling donated by Rathborn Land Company, but this land could still serve a purpose for the community. The parish’s permit application to theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers called for a complete grading and filling of thetree-heavy area. Is it not futile to continue to pursue a permit to vanquishvaluable wetlands and persist on spending taxpayers’ money on more engineering studies after previously spending $31,000? Will money have to go to build canals and be maintained to prevent flooding the neighboring subdivision? Let’s take advantage of a situation that may be irresolvable. The Corps ofEngineers will not permit alterations but may approve the land for nature and bike trails. Small signs stating the names and facts of the plants and treesfor science class field trips and native plants could be added for our environment. A small nature center could eventually be developed for ourcommunity, inviting neighboring parishes which could benefit the local economy. Preservation of this acreage for our community and futuregenerations is insightful, logical and an investment against flooding.

On the east bank, the Shriners were gracious enough to allow children to use their property as a soccer field. Is there not a church, business or propertyowner who would not do the same on the west bank? Property owners do not have to give up their land and altering it for playing fields is minimal.

Wetlands serve a purpose and the community surrounding this acreage will surely feel the loss of trees, birds and wildlife, and the buffer it provides when the area floods. Let’s take this first step, hopefully not the last, in theconservation of our unique and beautiful parish. We should be a parishpreparing ahead for progress and preservation.

Donna L. NasserDestrehan

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