LETTER: Dispiriting bike trail views show assault on rural beauty

To Ozaukee Press:

Last week, for the first time since construction of the data center began, I rode my trike on the section of the Ozaukee Interurban Trail beside it. After moving from Michigan several years ago, I was exhilarated by the beauty of this gateway to rural scenery.

On this latest ride, I stopped to photograph one side of the trail, a vista of a gently sloping field of young green corn plants. In the distance were trees, a barn and silo. Directly across the trail, I photographed a mountain of dirt, temporary buildings and tall construction cranes. I will not be riding there again. For me, it’s ruined.

I found happiness in Ozaukee County when I was introduced to the area’s green spaces at the annual Treasures of Oz event. On the Interurban Trail and in parks and preserves, I’ve seen signs crediting Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson funding for helping preserve and maintain these spaces so people can connect with nature and stay healthy. Vindictive Republican legislators defunded it this year.

In our area, Dana Glasstein and Jack Holzman are running for Assembly seats in this November’s election. They will work to strengthen protections for our environment. I am grateful to Sen. Jodi Habush Sinykin and Assembly Rep. Deb Andraca for their diligent advocacy. I’m grateful to Restoring Lands land trust, which is fighting to prevent the data center’s giant power lines from bulldozing their way through ecologically sensitive preserves.

I will be devastated if the routing of power lines ruins any of the precious preserves where I hike. I will grieve for displaced wildlife that are constantly shoved around by human “progress.”

If we vote informed on Nov. 3, we might still have unscarred public-use green spaces for future generations. Mark your calendars and vote.

Nancy Camden

Mequon