My name is Brittany Brady and I am a former resident of Alaska who now resides on the Oregon Coast, which also has a large population of black bears. I work as an aquarist at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and was inspired to write after reading the article about Brooke Collins who confronted a bear that was trying to walk off with her dog. While most people are cheering her on (and don’t get me wrong, I’m glad she was able to retrieve her pet without sustaining injury) I believe it’s not only sad, but could be a canary to many more confrontations.

I totally agree with Linda Mancuso’s testimony (about moving the Fishermen’s Memorial) that Marine Park is a drunk haven. My kids enjoy playing in the shelter, but I avoid it now. Too often they share the space with groups of people who are openly drinking, even though posted signs say possession and consumption of alcohol is not allowed at the park. Laws are meaningless if they are not enforced.

The United Nations Environmental Program estimates up to 46,000 plastic particles per square mile of ocean. Some are smaller than a human hair, others are plankton size and often eaten by fish that, in turn are consumed by humans. Plastic chemicals are now found in human blood. Scientists are finding connections between plastics and obesity, cancer and other disease. Information about the impact of plastic chemicals on humans can be found on the Internet by Googling “plastic endocrine disruptors” and “obesogens”.

In Friday’s Empire, an A1 news report links an aggressive group of pro-developers; the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, Attorney James Clark, and First Things First President Neil MacKinnon, who together would attempt to overturn Federal District Court Judge Sedwick’s most recent decision of reinstating the Tongass National Forest roadless rule. This concerted attempt, if successful, would most seriously and adversely impact the natural integrity of the Tongass National Forest.