Accusation alarming
To the editor:
The OP-ED piece in the Jan. 31 Review titled BI Comp Plan’s DEIS full of misinformation contained an alarming accusation: “We believe the model is being ‘reverse engineered’ with selected data to support high growth alternatives advanced in the DEIS.” If true, that would completely discredit model results. Do the article’s authors have evidence to support their claim?
The US Geological Survey reviewed data and produced the original model. I find it difficult to imagine their team members fraudulently selecting data to produce a pro-growth bias. If anything, their model was a bit pessimistic on general water availability by assuming no lateral flow from mainland Kitsap County into our deep aquifers.
When Aspect updated the model to account for new data and climate change expectations, it had to consider the impact of an increase in future rainfall predicted by University of Washington researchers. Rather than simply assuming that more rainfall would produce more aquifer recharge, Aspect did the opposite and decreased aquifer recharge in the model.
They sensibly reasoned that the additional rainfall would be flashy and run off more than seep into the ground; however, assuming that overall recharge would decrease is hardly the action of someone trying to support a pro-growth agenda.
Given those facts, I am skeptical of the assertion of pro-growth data manipulation. It would seem to require a nefarious conspiracy. But if there is credible evidence, then we have a serious issue that needs investigation.
Gregory Geehan
Bainbridge
Trump a disaster
President Trump is the worst thing that has ever happened to our country. Every day I try not to think of all the horrible things he is doing to destruct our country. He may be a showman that creates attention and aha. But he has fooled many. He only cares about himself—no one else. He is cruel; he is wicked. He must be stopped! My two brothers fought for our country in World War 2—one in Europe, the other in the Pacific Theatre who miraculously survived a gunshot wound to his abdomen landing on Tarawa. Works of Dean Ladd.
My brothers did not fight for the destruction of our country nor for the misuse of our flag that stands for Democracy, not Dictatorship.
Helen Ladd Hoover
Kingston
