Date: Wed, 25 May 2011 12:57:49 -0400
From: Caroline Siverson
Subject: Recent comments chatlist #4045
Mr. Glendinning appears to have confused facts and history with pipe dreams or is sadly misinformed. He proposes that since the state has the equipment they should enforce all environmental requirements and
there is no need to duplicate that effort on a county basis. The state does not have adequate staff to promptly enforce the environmental requirements in all 100 counties. Especially now, with the proposed additional cut backs at the state level. There never was any consideration of testing locally.
Furthermore, enforcement after pollution has occurred, does not protect our waterways. Clearly, he has not seen the photographs of sedimentation run off from the developments at Westfall or Chapel Ridge. This pollution occurred when the protections of our environment was left in the developers’ hands and the Planning Board was not technically qualified to provide an in depth review of the environmental aspects of a major development.
One purpose of the ERB is to prevent pollution before it starts. The professional members of that board reviewed development proposals before construction started and recommended modifications where
necessary, to avoid pollution problems and the additional drinking water treatment expenses caused by such pollution. This ERB review was far less costly than any state fine or mandated pollution clean up.
The state allows local governments to enact and enforce environmental regulations that are more protective then the state rules so that counties can adequately protect their unique natural resources.
Agriculture and forestry lands are exempt from all relevant ordinances. In fact environmental protections and wise land use planning contribute to farmland preservation, which in turn keeps our
taxes down.
The subdivision ordinance requires an environmental assessment for non-residential development with land disturbance of 2 or more acres and for residential developments of 25 or more lots. These are not
insignificant projects and have the potential for negative impacts on our natural resources.
A government is not transparent if the BoC majority agrees on a vote before the public hearing.
Caroline Siverson