Authorities say unemployment and drug addiction have spurred an increase in the destructive practice of cutting off the knobby growths at the base of ancient redwood trees to make decorative pieces like lacey-grained coffee tables and wall clocks.
The practice — known as burl poaching — has become so prevalent along the Northern California coast that Redwood National and State Parks on Saturday started closing the popular Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway at night in a desperate attempt to deter thieves.
So let me see, destroy the economic possibilities of the region through aggressive government environmental regulations, and it's a surprise that people do what they have to do to survive? I'm almost on the side of the poachers here.
And what are they "poaching"? the resources that a government bureaucrat decided needs to be set aside for "future generations" instead of being used to benefit people today.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I can understand conserving a resource, but destroying an economy, like the government has done on the north coast, and then expecting people to meekly sink into poverty in the midst of plenty, is wrong.
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