Nature’s work devastated

Nature’s work devastated

To the editor:

Today we witnessed the destruction of one of nature’s wonders.

The state highway department tore a dam across Blackwater Creek on Route 615 in Rappahannock County. It had been built there by a colony of beavers. The beautiful little creatures moved there and began their work a few months ago.

Those of us who lived near, adults and children alike, were delighted to watch the progress of the dam and felt that all of Rappahannock County was blessed by the coming of the bea-< vers.

With a huge piece of equipment, parked on the road above the dam, it took a few minutes to destroy the dam. Four men stood beside the road to watch the operation; one man operated the equipment.

The feeble reason given by men of the highway department for the destruction was that the dam was a menace to the bridge over the creek.

However, we have lived near the bridge for 11 and have seen water rise many times above the level of the road with no damage to the bridge. How could the delicate dam that was only three feet high and approximately 10 feet below the road be a menace? The statement is ludicrous and without foundation.

The road itself (Route 615) is a complete disaster with series of potholes and jagged ravines crossing it. Many places, the road has no shoulders and no room to pass. It is a potential for serious injury.

Over and over again, we have been told that the road has “low priority” and there is no money for maintenance. Five men were on the site today. Four were watching while one worked. If Mr. Douglas Bywaters, who issued the order for the destruction of the dam, had consigned the funds to road maintenance, we could have had a few less potholes and the Beavers could live in peace.

While the citizens of Rappahannock County strive to make it a beautiful rural community, our tax dollars pay the salaries of those who devastate it.

HELEN M. FRIDENSTINE Castleton