In a June 27 commentary, Don Parmeter responded to a previous column written by St. Louis County Commissioner Frank Jewell on the issue of the power of the Environmental Protection Agency. After reading Parmeter's piece ("Don't give EPA more power over our water"), I feel Jewell should be applauded for his stand on trying to protect the lakes and streams in our area and state. They are truly the lifeblood of so many of us in this area.
Too many people in power are shortsighted and looking only to the next election when it comes to what is important to us. This was brought to light when Parmeter wrote, "Fortunately, there is strong bipartisan opposition to the EPA's proposal and tactics." We can be grateful we have an EPA that looks out for us and not the industries that are spending a lot of money to undermine the EPA's responsibility to protect our environment.
Parmeter made a few very uninformed or misinformed statements. One jumped out as it included two misstatements in one. He wrote: "This issue is not about the environment. It's about governance." One, it is about the environment. And two, it is not governance but has been made a political issue.
We need to assess the effects of our actions and make the best long-term decisions.
Scott Mead
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Duluth
