Help for the Parkway

Jim Thompson's Feb. 26 Op-ed article about the Blue Ridge Parkway correctly noted that encroaching commercial and residential development poses great threats to this national treasure. Such development harms water quality in mountain streams, fouls the air, destroys wildlife habitat and mars scenic views. The problem is urgent given that the Parkway's boundary averages just 800 feet wide; much of what one sees while traveling the Parkway is in private hands and potentially up for grabs.

Clearly, the Parkway's future depends on the conservation of privately held lands.

Fortunately, a number of local land trusts in the mountains work with willing landowners to preserve critical lands along the Parkway. For these organizations to be fully successful in protecting threatened natural areas, the state needs to provide significantly more funding for conservation. The General Assembly, when it reconvenes, should pass bills already introduced that would place on the 2006 statewide ballot a bond referendum that would provide an additional $200 million per year for each of five years to protect drinking water, streams, fish and wildlife and farms. This wise investment would help save the Parkway, improve our quality of life and benefit future generations.

Reid Wilson

Executive Director, Conservation Trust for North Carolina

Raleigh