According to local maps this was Havasu National Wildlife refuge property and there were rabbits and quail and roadrunners to watch. This year when we arrived, that same area looked like this:
It is now The Refuge, a housing development and 18 hole golf course designed by Arnold Palmer. The golf course was being built the first time Denny and I ever stayed here, but it was about a half mile south of the campground. Then houses started popping up around the golf course itself and now this. So I e-mailed a young lady who worked for the Bill Williams River NWR and she responded with this: "This property you are speaking of was involved ina land trade in the early 80's. The Havasu NWR is the boundry (sic) refuge and they are working closely with the developer/development on Fish & Wildlife Issues. If you'd like further information, please contact John Earle at the Havasu NWR."
The line I like? "they are working closely with the developer/development on Fish & Wildlife Issues." Seriously? You really expect me to believe that? But she and Mr. Earle were both kind enough to respond (Mr. Earle's e-mail said in part "Regardless of how the land came to
be developed, when any adjacent property is developed, we use what avenues are available to ensure that refuge resources are protected".) even if I didn't like the answers. Because the wildlife has disappeared no matter what they say.
1 comment:
This seems to be happening everywhere. How sad.
Post a Comment