Monte Reiner

Minot

We have heard a lot recently about draining the swamp. This naive statement is one of many we have heard as basic training continues in Washington. It is clear that swamps have tremendous value.

Swamps act like a sponge to absorb nitrogen and chemicals washed into it from area lands that drain into it. The plants that thrive in this environment utilize much of this excess fertilizer and remove it from the environment. The chemicals are buried in the silt at the bottom of the swamp and keep it out of other water we utilize.

Swamps create natural storm and flood mitigation by collecting excess runoff that otherwise may flood other valuable inhabited areas. Swamps provide water storage, groundwater recharge into underground aquifers, as well as water purification from sediment and pollutant retention.

Even coal lovers should appreciate swamps as they were the natural manufacturer of much of the coal resources around the world. Swamps are sources of quantities of quality water, two-thirds of commercial fisheries, timber production, wildlife resources, transportation, recreation and tourism, as well as agriculture. Alligator meat and sausage as well as the Swamp People shows would not exist without this wonderful resource.

It is clear that swamps have great value and it is becoming more clear that toxic waste dumps are much more of an immediate concern. EPA may over reach at times, but we can see every day the total disregard for our environment companies chasing the almighty dollar throw on us. More rivers and streams spilled into along with the $200 million clean up of brine we will pay for in Bottineau and Renville counties.

Where are the apologies from the industry and challenges from regulators and legislators who have tanked our states progress while being mesmerized by oil money?

Use caution in joining the drain the swamp club. There is a much greater hazard in the toxic waste dump evolving in front of us in Washington, D.C., and Bismarck.