Submitted by Eddie DeMott (not verified) on Thu, 12/29/2011 - 1:33pm.
Re: Natural Resource Analysis
Introduction – Nine bulleted goals:
Goal #4 – Add the word “equitable” – Restated goal would read as follows, “Enable equitable access…..”
Goal #7 – Add the word “sustainable” - Restated goal would read as follows, “ …working landscapes specifically sustainable agricultural and forestry land uses.”
Water Quality – p.7
Area of Concern #2, item A - …and degradation of landscape functions which contribute to and (aid in the maintenance of environmental and population health.) Bracketed segment altered from draft.
Data Trends – p.8
“Fish consumption advisories due to toxins have been fair in the lake …” Does this mean they occur fairly frequently? Needs clarification.
p.9
“Without sufficient functioning floodplains….” Does the reference to algae in the sentence refer to species of algae that are detrimental to the lake environment but harmless to humans and pets? Or all algae, particularly blue-green blooms? If the latter is the case, perhaps a blurb about the potential health effects on humans and pets.
Additionally, this is a development issue. Perhaps linking this item to the land use report since drafting zoning to prohibit development in floodplains would need to be come from many fronts.
Preliminary Recs – p.11
#4 Riparian buffers need to be protected – once again not just a natural resource issue. Land –use needs to be focused on this as well. Also an issue of housing safety, by extension. This is a broad, important issue. Maybe some cross-referencing to other reports for a sound, cogent link?
#6 Low Impact Development may need a bit of definition. Perhaps a mention of bringing the natural resource advocates influence to bear on zoning regulations that achieve some of these ends! All of these are synergistic with built environment and population health goals. Nice!!
Forest Fragmentation – p.12
Dense, multi-use development would curtail fragmentation. Refer to Land Use Report.
Habitat & Biodiversity – p.13
Denser development patterns that allow for the conservation of broad land tracts, public or private, would be a great help in some of these areas. How about putting forth zoning that requires municipalities to address wildlife migration and habitat conservation in their subdivision regulations? 8% is a tragically low number.
Perhaps my analysis is based on ignorance but I believe climate change has a major influence on non-native species maintaining footholds in new areas. I think a mention of climate change and sustainable energy policy adoption would be apropos. Or link to energy plan where this is (hopefully) addressed.
p.14
“The impacts of a dwelling on biodiversity….etc” Another order for denser development! Hold the sprawl!
I think all the work groups have similar, overall visions for the county that are expressed in language and concepts specific to their particular topic or discipline. I think it’s essential to link all of the reports either through an executive summary and/or by frequent cross-referencing so that the united vision becomes apparent to anyone reading, but most importantly, to anyone planning to use the document in their town.
The “ blurb and refer “ technique is also a way to integrate the reports. This allows a workgroup to acknowledge any connection its data/recommendations has to other reports. Then refer to that report for the whole story.
Great report! I loved reading it – near and dear to my heart!
Re: Natural Resource
Re: Natural Resource Analysis
Introduction – Nine bulleted goals:
Goal #4 – Add the word “equitable” – Restated goal would read as follows, “Enable equitable access…..”
Goal #7 – Add the word “sustainable” - Restated goal would read as follows, “ …working landscapes specifically sustainable agricultural and forestry land uses.”
Water Quality – p.7
Area of Concern #2, item A - …and degradation of landscape functions which contribute to and (aid in the maintenance of environmental and population health.) Bracketed segment altered from draft.
Data Trends – p.8
“Fish consumption advisories due to toxins have been fair in the lake …” Does this mean they occur fairly frequently? Needs clarification.
p.9
“Without sufficient functioning floodplains….” Does the reference to algae in the sentence refer to species of algae that are detrimental to the lake environment but harmless to humans and pets? Or all algae, particularly blue-green blooms? If the latter is the case, perhaps a blurb about the potential health effects on humans and pets.
Additionally, this is a development issue. Perhaps linking this item to the land use report since drafting zoning to prohibit development in floodplains would need to be come from many fronts.
Preliminary Recs – p.11
#4 Riparian buffers need to be protected – once again not just a natural resource issue. Land –use needs to be focused on this as well. Also an issue of housing safety, by extension. This is a broad, important issue. Maybe some cross-referencing to other reports for a sound, cogent link?
#6 Low Impact Development may need a bit of definition. Perhaps a mention of bringing the natural resource advocates influence to bear on zoning regulations that achieve some of these ends! All of these are synergistic with built environment and population health goals. Nice!!
Forest Fragmentation – p.12
Dense, multi-use development would curtail fragmentation. Refer to Land Use Report.
Habitat & Biodiversity – p.13
Denser development patterns that allow for the conservation of broad land tracts, public or private, would be a great help in some of these areas. How about putting forth zoning that requires municipalities to address wildlife migration and habitat conservation in their subdivision regulations? 8% is a tragically low number.
Perhaps my analysis is based on ignorance but I believe climate change has a major influence on non-native species maintaining footholds in new areas. I think a mention of climate change and sustainable energy policy adoption would be apropos. Or link to energy plan where this is (hopefully) addressed.
p.14
“The impacts of a dwelling on biodiversity….etc” Another order for denser development! Hold the sprawl!
I think all the work groups have similar, overall visions for the county that are expressed in language and concepts specific to their particular topic or discipline. I think it’s essential to link all of the reports either through an executive summary and/or by frequent cross-referencing so that the united vision becomes apparent to anyone reading, but most importantly, to anyone planning to use the document in their town.
The “ blurb and refer “ technique is also a way to integrate the reports. This allows a workgroup to acknowledge any connection its data/recommendations has to other reports. Then refer to that report for the whole story.
Great report! I loved reading it – near and dear to my heart!