No touchdowns today, only fumbles

Odd thing happened this week.  It was something I suppose I knew but just didn't think much about:  People on the same team don't always play nice with each other. Even though by not playing nice, no one really wins.

For example, this week I received an email from a young person who received my contact info from an environmental group I did some work for a while ago.  She was polite and asked whether I (and several other people) would be willing to give her some guidance with a project she was planning.  This project involved "clean up" of a river instate.  At first, I thought, "I've enough work, thanks", but my conscience kicked in and I replied I'd be happy to discuss the project with her.  Fumble 1.

It seems, in a follow-up email, she did not just want to talk about it. She wanted me to drive to her town and follow the river with her examining each area "to be cleaned up".  My job, it seemed, would be to tell her how to clean up the river without being environmentally damaging as there were several downed trees, woody debris, roots, etc. She wanted to clean those up too (in addition to the trash -- which I thought was the object of all this "cleaning").

I said I was concerned about her project as fallen trees and woody debris actually create wildlife habitats for fish, macroinvertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.  It's really amazing how much habitat, food, and shelter a fallen tree can create.  Also, did she clear this project with her town's inland wetlands department as this seems like something that a town would want to review before allowing.  Okay? We're on the same team. We both want what is best for the river...right? 
I received an email back basically saying, "Look you old fool, I'm doing all this fabulous work for the community and I've got guidance and I don't need you to try to limit me.  Plus, people are complaining about flooding and erosion and this will help them because it will look better!  Plus, we can kayak down the river without being stopped by blockages!" 

Okay, she didn't say that, but that was what I got out of it.  As I'm only an ornery cur sometimes, I withheld my thoughts that this kid is uneducated and misguided.  I replied that a chat and a records review at town hall is important and I unfortunately couldn't help in the way she wanted.  At least that was the gist of it.  I really didn't and don't have the time for a big project like this. Frankly, I don't feel I'm qualified to make the kind of decisions that would definitely affect both the river and people's property. 

I believe that while it's ok to remove trash from the river, removing woody debris and fallen trees are a different matter.  Properly researching each blockage would and should take a good deal of careful consideration.  Each blockage, for example, would require consideration of river dynamics, condition of the banks, flow, neighborhood, etc.  Doing something to one part of the river has downstream effects.  Sometimes rivers aren't accessible...and that's ok. And when did we decide that removing the "blockages" was the environmentally correct way to go?

Fumble 2?  I cc'd the person who suggested she contact me.  Well, he was ticked off and let her know that she was taking on this questionable project without proper background, legal notice, education, guidance, etc.  I agreed but knew this wouldn't end well.

Well, he got lambasted back.  Supreme Court decisions were cited.  Portions of court cases, etc.  It was really totally out of context, not addressing the issues, and painful to read.  I mean, this person is asking for help, but only the type of help she wants.  She only wants to hear what is on her agenda.  I know this issue is not a woman thing because I know alot of women who are 1) smarter than I am, and 2) exemplary environmental stewards.  I know it's not a young person's thing because I know alot of young people who are 1) smarter than I am, and 2) very environmentally astute.  Why is it then, that here is someone with so much misguided energy and drive?

Fumble 3.  I didn't let her know this and still won't.  To be fair, I really don't know if this is a mistake, but based on what I'm hearing (and reading), she has made up her mind and doesn't want guidance, she wants help.  She doesn't want to learn, she wants to be enabled.  It's different.

She took the time to ask for guidance and that's a good thing.  It's unfortunate for her, and probably for the river, that she won't accept any.  We all want clean water and a healthy environment.  Deciding how to accomplish that is the play, so let's remember that we're all on the same team and work together.  We can't afford to lose.