Keep helping the tree

Editor, The News:

Staff

Kathleen Lamarche displays uncovered tree roots.

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It was gratifying to see the Wakulla County Commission’s brief interest in the extreme erosion at Shell Point Beach. It is, however, disappointing to watch the erosion continue unabated three weeks after the problem was “studied” and a very simple, cheap (though temporary) solution was recommended by DEP. “Take some similar color sand and cover the roots,” said DEP Beach Division Director Fritz Wetstein. “We’ll issue the county a permit to do that today (May 14, 2009).”

During the storms and strong winds of the past few weeks, the roots of “the tree” have been exposed even farther and the erosion of the soil has grown ever nearer to the pavilion. With the onset of hurricane season, one can only expect the utter destruction of both if timely action is not taken. Inasmuch as DEP stated that a permit for restoration can be obtained in a single day, a source for the sand has reportedly been located, and local residents have volunteered to handle the labor, one can only wonder why the delay in saving “the tree” and the pavilion before continued erosion renders the entire subject moot.    

Kathleen Lamarche

Shell Point