Intern hopes for wildlife, progress harmony

I know you've all seen the recent construction on state Route 17.

A lot of you are probably nodding your heads, thinking of the many times you've gotten stuck in a line of cars in the construction zones. Think of it, traffic jams in Moses Lake … I never thought I'd be saying that. It's like an oxymoron!

My point is that two weekends ago while passing through the highway construction zone between Broadway extended and Stratford Road, I came across a pair of dead beavers lying in the road. I was told they had been displaced from their dams as a result of the construction.

Initially, I was stunned at the audacity of the construction company, the state for ordering the highway extension, and anyone else who knew of the beaver dams and did nothing to prevent their displacement.

As I continued my drive, however, I began to philosophize with my alter ego. I asked myself, "Exactly how much external costs on the environment should progress incur?" Personally, I am all for the further progress of the Columbia Basin. I would like a mall and big businesses to move into Moses Lake and stimulate the economy. However, I realized that the price of that progress often times means the disruption of natural habitats. Then I wondered, "If mankind were satisfied with the state of things now, wouldn't all of this 'progress' be obsolete?" Touche Marielle! However, the need for construction isn't just about progress. The government needs to accommodate the growing population.

By the time I got to my house, my internal debate was at a standstill, because I was unable to sway myself one way or the other on this issue. The environmentalist in me wants to condemn the construction as the price of human invasiveness. On the other hand, I see the positive outcomes of progress toward a growing economy and population.

I know every person has their own opinion about the issue of construction and its damaging effects on nature. However, I have come to the conclusion that it is a mixed bag of tricks. I have two brothers in the construction business and see how their work is a major building block of our community. I also sympathize with the wildlife, such as beavers that are displaced. However, I realize that there are minor external costs to progress. I personally hope that one day, Moses Lake will have a mall and a thriving population of beaver concurrently.

Marielle McKean is the high school intern for the Columbia Basin Herald.