BU Sailing-Not an Attack on the Environment

I feel compelled to respond to Mr. Michels continued campaign against the proposed sailing pavillion. I leave BU in a few months with a BA in environmental policy and an MA in environmental analysis. I consider myself very sympathetic to, and concerned with, environmental issues. Mr. Michel seems to have a predilection for attention, particular to be percieved as an environmental warrior. In his zeal Mr. Michel is speaking outside of his experience. I have been an employee of BU sailing for 3 years and an instructor for the past 2. Having spent 9 hours a day on the Charles and the Esplanade for the past two summers and countless hours each semester, I am intimately connected to it. I grw up here my highschool sailing team practiced dwon the river at the over loved CBI. It is my home and I know it like the back of my hand. I plan on callling BOston my home for years to come and enjoying BU sailing as resident. The full scope of issues involved is not being discussed, merely the claim that BU is stealing “prime realestate”. Last I Heard the Esplanade is a public park and an improved public (yes BU sailing is open to all) facility for the community on this park is a positive thing. BU is not building a waste treatment plant but a SAILING pavillion. RElocating and improving an esisting facility. No one debates the need for a new facility, the old one is unsafe, inadequate and a navigation hazard. It will be demolished when a new facility is built. The proposed new facility will use almost exactly the same area as the old one, simply in another location. We must have a new location because the old one inhibits Esplanade and water traffic, among other reasons. Several new boating facilities have been constructed recently, none have had the scrutiny that BU’s has. I would be personally upset if i felt there was going to be a serious alteration of the park. The sites suggested in the environmental impact report are the best choices in terms of impact on the park, safety and the needs of the community university and students. The alternative sites are either totally unsuitable or would disturb the park. BU is the largest private land owner in Boston and has stepped on a lot of peoples toes. I believe that several NGO’s are using this as an opportunity for fundraising feeding off of this sentiment. Mr. Michel in his earnest desire to be an environmental advocate has fallen for the propoganda of these organisations. BU sailing is open to the public at a very fair price, the new facility will be an asset to the community. Local Highschools practice here and more could with a better facility as well as many local residents. ( The Kenmore residents association supports the facility as proposed) Mr. Michels also insists that most BU students do not want a new facility. As sailing kayaking and canoeing are some of the most popular classes at the university I am made to doubt Mr. Michel’s skills as a psychic. The charles river and the Esplanade are in need of serious attention by environmentalists and the community. It is polluted and covered with litter, I have seen more than one syringe on its banks. Assaulting a very clean low impact use group of the park is a waste of time and is isolating many self proclaimed environmentalist from a population of typicly environmentally conscious people. Of course we must study and question plans that would modify public lands but the onslaught BU is facing is absurd for the relocation of a very small one storey glorified storage shed a couple hundred yards… unless of course an organisation’s goal is to use the issue as a call to obtain donations…. At the proposed sites the facility will blend into the trees around it, none of which will be cut down for its construction, and be easily accesible to the the university and the community particularly the handicaped who would not otherwise have access. Handicaped access is a large reason for the proposed sites. Handicaped sailing is a growing sport and BU sailing wants to make itself accessible to ALL people. Perhaps money grubbing by certain groups, and cravings for attention by others is making people forget such issues. I invite all to go to http://people.bu.edu/sailing/newpavillion.htm and read the report and make their own minds up, not simply trust the hype, This is one environmentalist supporting the proposed locations for the good of the community and university, and questioning the motivation of the critics. James Baldwin CAS/GRS 2002