Participate in process instead of attacking

It is unfortunate the author of a recent letter (Merle Wilson, Aug. 17) is under the impression that the Wapsipinicon River belongs to himself and the bordering landowners. The rivers in Iowa belong to the residents of Iowa and are managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Iowa's rivers are a resource to be shared by multiple interest groups equally - boating, hunting and fishing would be just three interest areas that use river resources and have an interest in their management.

The DNR does its best to manage and balance the use pressures on Iowa's river resources. The recent announcement of the Turkey River dam renovation south of Cresco is just one example of managing river resources for multiple interest groups. The stone arch dam will improve river safety, create a white-water resource, support a fisheries structure, and maintain stream pool depth for boating activities. Significant energy could be spent being a participant in the process of managing our river resources instead of attacking it as a member of a special interest group.

Dave Hillman

Cedar Rapids