Government at Work

Location here is the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. This spot has always been a pinnacle for me as I hike the five mile round trip trail at the southern end of the refuge. Normally as I would come out of the woods the scenery would open up into this wide open space full of wildlife and numerous species of water fowl. The Important Bird Areas Program has stated that over 270 species of migratory birds and 100 different species of song birds use this refuge throughout the year. During peak populations in the fall up to 25000 geese and 40000 ducks are present in the refuge.
Now, in an effort to "promote exercise" the Government has decided to build a road through the refuge. This is the scernery I now came upon after exiting the woods. To the right of the "road" is usually a water way full of islands and water as far as the eye can see. This same weekend one year ago I hiked to this spot and watched thousands of birds using this pool. This year I found heavy equipment and a few Egrets wading in the mud. The wildlife was almost non-existent.
Below I will include a photo I took late Winter earlier this year to show what it usually looks like. The water fowl was not present yet and I took the photo from an observation tower that is no longer their.
And Yes, their reason for building over seven miles of roads throughout the refuge for cars and trucks, "is to get people outside and exercise."