There is no doubt that the issues surrounding the management of our natural environment are as complex as our relationship with it. The Junctions Environmental League chairman, Lance Howley has posted a comment on the site, and sent through the attached document (click on image to enlarge) to show what his concerns are for the environment in which he lives and works - which is on the junction of the Murray/Murrumbidgee, the Murray/Wakool and the Wakool/Edwards Rivers.Monday, February 16, 2009
The issues are complex
There is no doubt that the issues surrounding the management of our natural environment are as complex as our relationship with it. The Junctions Environmental League chairman, Lance Howley has posted a comment on the site, and sent through the attached document (click on image to enlarge) to show what his concerns are for the environment in which he lives and works - which is on the junction of the Murray/Murrumbidgee, the Murray/Wakool and the Wakool/Edwards Rivers.
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I chair a group called the Junctions Environmental League. We are a group of landholders and other interested persons concerned about the devastation being forced on the section of the Murrumbidgee River around Balranald and downstream to the confluence with the Murray. This section of the river is being destroyed by most of the water being diverted out of the river upstream of us, particularly when there is significant volumes of water around as these are the times when environmental damage is done. One "irrigation" scheme betwean Balranald and Hay diverts an extrodinary amount of water at times >300,000 megalitres to grow organic wheat, they fill 400ha bays which in places are 3m deep, leave the water there for several weeks for it to soak in and evaporate, then plow it and sow wheat, all for the benefit of <50 people. South Australia has a total irrigation allocation of 400,000 megalitres to give you a perspective. The damage they do to us is taking what would have been environmental water away from the wetlands in the junctions region of our most iconic rivers, the number of centuries old red gums that are dead because of this is a national disgrace.
ReplyDeleteLance Howley
Lance,
ReplyDeleteCould the dead and dying redgums referred to be victims of the increased salt load precipitated by you clearing many thousands of acres of Mallee forest adjacent to the confluence? I think this was done for the benefit of one person!
Is this environment beyond salvation? What collaborative/communal effort is being made to ensure this environment has a future that sustains the communities that live there?
ReplyDeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteBefore you get caught up with Lance Howley and his personal obsession/vendetta, can I suggest you research the facts and not take Lance's simplistic version as gospel? As your header suggests, the issues are complex. I am only too happy to assist.
Michael Spinks
Chairman
Lowbidgee League
Michael, this project does not judge who is right or wrong - it is about perspectives, of which there are many. I'd be interested to hear more about your perspective and be provided with a source of facts.
ReplyDelete