What this country needs is a good pesticide for tree huggers, bunny lovers and weed watchers. I have reference to the huge problem of creosote treated pilings outlined in your article of Dec. 12. The only problem is how to con people into thinking there is a problem so that someone can make a buck.

Pilings and other timbers designed for use around salt water must be protected from marine organisms or suffer total destruction within a few years. The article had several errors. First timbers and pilings are not coated with creosote. They are impregnated under extreme pressure. That’s a big difference. There is no leaching of deadly chemicals. anyone who doubts this I invite to drop down to the city marina and view the pilings. You will see two or three inches thick of barnacles covered by a solid coating of mussels. Both of these feed by straining microscopic organisms out of the water. And of course the barnacles adhere to the piling so closely it’s almost impossible to remove them. You will also enjoy watching the small bait fish feeding around the pilings.

This is another example of junk science so favored by environmentalists. No mention was made of the hundreds of million of dollars better spent elsewhere that piling removal and replacement would require. No mention was made of the disruption of the sea floor or what would replace the removed pilings. No mention was made of the many small marinas that would be forced out of business if this program were made into law.

The only gain would be another victory for the hysterical environmentalists and a windfall for the company removing pilings.

Rider lives in Oak Harbor.