Re: Questions for Katrina

Well said, Bruce.. whether we agree or disagree, I think it's vitally important that someone discuss the other side of the coin -i.e. Deep Creek issues from Mike Castro's perspective. I honestly wish Mike would start his own website so we could see things from his point of view, or a close friend of his, such as yourself, could share his thoughts somehow. It's always good to look at all sides of an issue, especially one as dear to our hearts as the preservation of public access to Deep Creek. You've asked a lot of questions of Katrina in your post; I'll have to admit many of your questions have crossed my mind as well. I hope she will respond to them... it may shed a little light on what is opinion and what is fact.

Speaking of opinions, I honestly believe that the Katrina/DCHs vs. Mike Castro storybook romance will not be a significant playing card in determining whether Deep Creek will remain open for future generations. The governmental agencies are the ONLY ones who are empowered to continue or restrict public access. They don't need a whole lot of reasons for closure. All it takes is one @!#$ down at the springs -it could be an assualt, knifing, shooting or any other singular violent activity. And let's not forget the environmental trump cards, e.g. Arroyo Toad, and/or the Wild and Scenic River designation.

In my 25 years or so of efforts to preserve these types of places, I've seen too many of them either closed to public access or destroyed because of a few thoughtless individuals who think they are livin' in the Wild West and can do what they want without regard for the safety or consideration of others.

I believe the foremost purpose of this forum is to allow all of us to post our opinions and feelings about Deep Creek. We should all be slightly skeptical of some of the information presented here - it occasionally resembles a really bad "B" movie, however, having said that, I think we are all intelligent enough to sift through all the information we are presented with here in a very careful manner. We can draw our own conclusions. I hope that many of you continue to do what I've been doing - cleaning up the trash down at the springs and writing the appropriate governmental officials and expressing your views on the preservation of Deep Creek and requesting their views on future solutions.