OnTheSauk:

I particularlly resent people living on the Skagit, with mowed lawns right down to the river bank, calling for someones scalp. When they have their 100 foot, native plant buffer firmly established, then they can talk.

I don't know of anyone who lives on the upriver part of the Skagit that does not take the river into acct. when planning their backyard landscaping...and if they didn't before they sure do now!

My neighbor has a nice lawn in back that runs right to the top of the bank edge, and when the Oct. 21st. flood came it (entire back yard) was totally immersed in water and ended up with an inch of pea sized gravel on it..but they also accept that's just part of the deal living here.

I live on the Skagit, and while folks work to improve their property everyone takes into account that whatever they do riverside is subject to being ripped right out come the spring/fall floods.

I lost a foot+ of property (80' of vertical bank moved (ie: ripped away) back towards my home. My neighbor is looking to have his house moved back 80', as what was once a balcony overlooking the short backyard now overlooks the cliff.

Also, just because the guy next door breaks the law, and is yet to be prosecuted for it, does not give others any right to break that same law without retribution. Being bitter about it and carrying a grudge against folks who (so far) have gotten away with illegal dirt moving, etc. will only give you an ulcer.

I've got/had/got my 100' native plant buffer...the river took what was there, left a bunch of new stuff and then has since remodeled that a couple of times...and that's just in the 6 months we have lived here. It's part of the "package" of living so close to such beauty.

The rivers got its own ways, and at anytime she can get a bug up her tail-end, get together with Old Mom Nature and and decide to just take out whatever she wants, including my house, yours and all the foo-foo yards within reach.

Mike B