Letter: Plover River Crossing will disrupt ‘pristine’ area

To the Editor-

Humans are intruders in natural habitats. Wildlife, including plants and animals, deserve a place that brings peace and tranquility. We cannot continue to claim ownership of areas that include wetlands, woodlands, and meadows, as a place to bike, jog, or walk. We are on but a journey throughout our lives. We must not try to take what is not ours to take.

Mr. Steve Menzel and Ms. Tori Jennings would be doing what is right if they used their time and energy to safeguard the Plover River area, instead of trying to build a bridge through a wildlife sanctuary. Mr. Menzel would be especially familiar with the work of his family members, Mr. Roy Menzel, and George Rogers, who created the Plover River Alliance to protect this tranquil, resplendent, and diverse area. Man doesn’t have the right to claim all areas as their own.

If you watch the YouTube performance by Mr. Menzel and company (https://youtu.be/DnsyFUE2UGK), you will be sickened at the thought of changing an inch of this natural setting. As I watched the video, I was convinced that everything he said should make the viewer even more upset about such unintelligent/vacuous/unthinking plans.

No one should think they have the right to add asphalt, concrete, or chemically processed wood, etc. to this wonderful place.

I might add that there are many ways to get across Interstate 51/39. Let’s look at these options: city bus (they have a place to put your bike), Uber, Taxi, a sidewalk on Hwy 10, ride on Hwy. 66, Hwy. 10, HH crossing, Hwy. B, and Hwy. 54 crossings. Count them….five crossings within an eight-mile area. We have no need to add another crossing that interrupts, disrespects, and flaws, in any way, the beauty and importance of nature.

There are incredible reasons NOT to build this egregious trail. Asphalt and concrete affect the planet in several ways.

Gasoline-powered vehicles will need to be used to clear snow/leaves on this “proposed path.” Now we are talking about harmful emissions. Then add salt to melt the snow/ice. Asphalt is a petroleum-based product. Pollution of the wetlands, woodlands, water, and meadows is a certainty. Water (rain and snow) flowing over pavement exposes water to pollutants from surface debris. This polluted water eventually flows into waterways (Plover River) and empties into lakes, rivers, and streams. Asphalt is high VOC (volatile organic compound) and the making of concrete requires high levels of heat and generates substantial VOC emissions. Additionally, some areas still use high VOC paints for striping roads (bike paths anyone?) and parking lots, adding another unsustainable element to the process of road/path construction.

We should be looking at ways to keep our natural areas from development so that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same natural habitat areas that we have had. Do not let this plan continue on any level. Who gave these people permission to try to spoil the untouched/pristine area?
Please stop this madness.

Ruth Pfiffner
Stevens Point

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