Neighbors helping neighbors

To the editor:

Our “Salmon Savers” crews have been functionally operational since the summer of 2012. Recently, a major salmon-friendly achievement was accomplished in conjunction with a few, experienced motorized recreation trail users, Jack and Joe Heintzman, of Wasilla.

The retired brothers stepped forward to support district staff to extricate a local backwoods landmark — an abandoned Nissan pickup truck — mired for years in a salmon-rearing stream within the Little Su River watershed. Under the guidance and direction of the Heintzman’s, the partially destroyed vehicle was removed. The site is now free from further adverse discharges into the stream, and an eyesore no longer obstructs the Bench Lake trail crossing.

Kudos also were earned by Bob Teeling for permitting us to stage on his property; Ron Benkert of Palmer Alaska Department of Fish and Game for permit review; Ole Larson, Division of Forestry State Property Manager; Georg Hoden, Mat-Su Borough for producing a recovery map; and Gary Feaster, Greatland Welding, for loaning a trailer to the cause.

As Jack Heintzman stated when asked why he offered to help: “I just wanted to do something for my community and also to show that motorized people are not all that bad.”

Neighbors helping neighbors. We appreciate you. So do the juvenile salmon!

Chuck Kaucic,

District Manager

Wasilla Soil & Water

Conservation District