Please help save the Savannah River Ecology Lab.
Go to www.savesrel.org to see how you can help.
I am appalled that the U.S. Department of Energy is trying to shut down the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. I am equally appalled that the weak reasons given in a May 20 article ("Slashed funds endanger lab at nuclear site") included some failure of the lab to "seek outside funds," and a not-so-veiled remark about using taxpayer money wisely. This is disingenuous.
SREL has an unmatched reputation for scholarship, training, community involvement and efficient productivity that gives far more value for the few taxpayer dollars it gets in comparison with the DOE in general. Besides, if the DOE bureaucrats were really concerned about what the taxpayer thinks, they would listen to the roar of voices - both local and national - calling for SREL's continued existence.
I spent eight years with the outstanding scientists, staff and students at SREL. It is unthinkable that 56 years of study and work will end. If they do, I suspect that future administrations will recognize the folly of this loss but will be unable to rebuild it.
The DOE may be able to silence the independent voice of SREL. They may knock down its buildings, kill the outreach animals or plow over the research fields, but they can never erase either SREL's legacy or their own folly.
Rosemary Forrest, Augusta
(Editor's note: The letter writer was the ecology lab's public relations coordinator before leaving during the lab's first round of layoffs in 2005.)
Comments
Please help save the Savannah River Ecology Lab.
Go to www.savesrel.org to see how you can help.
I agree completely! To expand on one reason to keep the SREL going - Arbor Day this year my kids and I experienced Tony Mills and his animal presentation for the first time (part of the outreach/community involvement they do). The memories of that will remain forever a positive influence for us. That program alone may have changed my budding science-loving 7 yr. old forever. It certainly gave me a precious memory I will always be thankful to have. Kids get fewer chances every day to touch, feel and experience in-person nature's gifts - a REAL world that's welcoming, exciting, a positive influence toward education; hand's on and unique! We need more, not less of SREL!
The DOE has conducted the research they needed. There is nothing more to be learned that will help the DOE accomplish its mission. It's time to stop DOE funding for SR Ecology Lab. If a university or state or county government wants to fund biology studies, then have at it.
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