The Shadow
Dear Editor:
We enjoy the Jackson River Trail and support its use, but if the new section under construction ever opens, it will be a bittersweet hike.
The most recent delay in opening the new section along Cedar Creek into Bath County is from tons of rebuilt trail material eroding into Cedar Creek, just above where the creek joins the Jackson River. It’s especially sad that this is occurring during the trout spawning season. Please note, this tragedy has NOTHING to do with summertime river pulses on the Jackson.
The damage results from improper project construction and oversight. How and when will new portions of the trail be repaired? What will the repairs cost? Who will perform the work and adhere to erosion and sediment control laws? How long will it take to do it right? All these questions will be answered in time, and it will be a beautiful hike someday.
But no one can remove and replace the material that’s washed into our beautiful streams due to poor project execution. Bittersweet indeed!
Gregg Brelsford
Jackson River Preservation Society Board
