To the editor:
With public conflict growing over new land development, many wonder about the motives of the NIMBYs who exclaim, “Not In My Back yard.” The current plan for Segment 9 of the SBHT will increase the value of my home and property. The trail’s placement in the road right-of-way will benefit me commercially. Many would say I should welcome this plan. I don’t, and I’m not a NIMBY.
In his 1949 essay “The Land Ethic, writing about “ecological conscience,” conservationist Aldo Leopold said. “The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively: the land.” When faced with the choice between benefiting myself, individuals in the human community, or the community of species, my ecological conscience calls me to stand for the larger good for all of our local living community members: our natural community of species, which we all depend upon.
I am opposed to the placement of this trail. I am not opposed to it going through the road right-of-way on our stretch. I am opposed to the trail cutting through living dunes and rare sensitive wetlands over a mile from my home! You could say I’m a NITCOS, i.e., Not In This Community of Species.
Most of the 1000+ people who have signed the petition opposing Segment 9 at www.sleepingbearnaturally. com are not NIMBYs. Many are from somewhere other than Leelanau County. This land disrupted by the trail is part of their community of species, too.
Douglas Jones Maple City
