Managing Annadel

EDITOR: Let me get this straight. State parks staff claims that there's no budget for trails, then spends great amounts removing trails. This is the same staff that forgot to maintain lake levels leading to the accidental drain-down of Lake Ilsanjo, the same staff that destroyed a stretch of North Burma trail badly enough that their work was immediately removed and the same staff that spends most of its time parked at the Richardson lot telling hikers not to park in the often-empty horse trailer parking.

Talk about environmental impacts and wasted funds.

Let's talk about the clear-cutting of fir, oak, madrone and redwoods to block trails. Their claim of habitat concern is an obvious lie to any who have seen their methods. Truth is, the kid-built trails are wonderful — low slope, low erosion, great for walking and maintained by enthusiastic kids.

Annadel State Park should not have fewer trails — just the opposite. Annadel is the wrong place for a minimal-use preserve. Annadel was previously cattle-farmed, logged and quarried extensively. It's not virgin habitat. It's a wonderful place, near a population center, where recreational and health-benefit opportunities should be maximized, not reduced.

Need more trails and don't have the budget? I've got just the answer.

KENT CHILCOTT

Santa Rosa