The law says that rivers and their shores are public property, which we all have a legal right to enjoy responsibly. No trespassing signs and fences on adjacent lands, however, are making this an increasingly theoretical right.

As demonstrated by the comments of many landowners on this board, the situation will only get worse. Does anybody really believe that access to our rivers will get easier over the next 20 years? Such a scenario is unimaginable - the landgrab is far from over.

The trend is unmistakable and, for the foreseeable future, irreversible. Private development of riverside property will continue and constitution waving landowners will 'protect' their precious property with increasing vigor.

The writing is on the wall and the story is sad. As recently as 1980, North Bend, Auburn, Mount Vernon and Darrington were relatively remote areas with plenty of access to local waters. Look at those places now...

A couple of fellows on this thread kindly suggested that I move to another country if I don't like things here. I guess they must be happy about where we are headed and the dark future that their attitudes portend. While I am fortunate to live freely in the US or in Europe, their children may not be so lucky.

So, there you have it. I think I will write to my legislators and find out what they think about this issue... they normally answer my letters promptly, which is why I make generous political contributions every year irrespective of their party affiliation.

Stay tuned.

Gerard W.
Seattle, WA