Letter: Tri-Cities waterfront should continue to be protected by federal government

I have to disagree with Doc Hastings when he says the Tri-Cities waterfront controlled by the Corp of Engineers is “unused.”

Of course it is being used, and valuably used right now as recreational and “naturally maintained” access to the rivers. This is not in the exploitative, business type way some short-sighted developers and politicians envision, but it is a use.

I trust the federal government to protect the waterway a lot more than locals who want to “use” the land as they see fit. I think we know what local use leads to — buildings scarring the waterfront, lack of public access because areas are turned into facilities and businesses, and decreased recreational open areas.

Hey Hastings and Fisher and Petersen, make a note — yes, the Tri-Cities has a gem already, unless you screw it up.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Letter: Tri-Cities waterfront should continue to be protected by federal government."