To Jane Howard and Cory Christianson:
During the current respite from coverage of strident controversies, the staff of the News-Herald (i.e., you) have exceeded expectations in revealing important details of the “dirt” in Cook County in the August 17 issue.
Ms. Howard’s story about the Poplar River sediment reduction projects is an excellent example of technical reporting done well. Sifting through the details of a public works project to construct a description that is explanatory and concise and interesting is an accomplishment worth noting. In my own experience it takes work. Without such skillful work we couldn’t appreciate the sophistication and complexity of systems that are buried or barely seen, systems which are best efforts to preserve the quality of the environment. And we couldn’t appreciate adequately where all the money goes.
My enthusiasm might be dismissed as coming from someone who never quite outgrew playing in the dirt, but the story should be commended nonetheless.
The caution about carpenter ants offered by Mr. Christianson (and the page designer who gave the subject its prominence) is an important public service. The Gunflint Trail is a place many of us go to escape the tedium, everyday demands and small calamities of life in the city. One would hope, also, to escape the march of nature, overlooking telltale signs of carpenter ants at work. Escape we can’t and overlooking can cost a lot of money.
I’ve seen firsthand the damage that can occur when wooden buildings are not separated adequately from surrounding soil or have inadequate drainage from storm runoff. We are fortunate there are cabin restoration specialists who live and work on the Trail who are skilled at repairing carpenter ant damage and implementing measures to prevent it in the future.
My hat is off to Mr. Christianson for perceptively noting the special conditions that have worsened the problem of late, and to restoration specialists such as Scott Borland who know what to do about it.
John Lampland
St. Paul
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