Proposed Open Space Bond Issue:
Focus, Plan, and Priorities

TO:  Honorable Members, Open Space Committee, Northampton County council

FROM:  Lehigh Valley Group of the Sierra Club   
DATE:  February 26, 2002

SUBJECT:  Proposed Bond Issue                         
CC:  Other Council Members, Honorable County Executive

The Sierra Club has been the national leader in protecting and enlarging our natural heritage for more than a century.  In the past 15 years, we have lead a sustained effort to protect local natural areas by fighting sprawl development.  The cancer of sprawl development has had its negative impact on the Lehigh Valley.  We are encouraged that people and government entities have finally realized what’s been corroding the quality of life in our region.  This committee is examining a proposed bond issue that would help the situation—but which, of itself, will not be sufficient.  We commend this committee, and the whole County council, for moving ahead—with caution.

Almost a year ago, we came before the whole council and the County Executive, to urge more environmental considerations in the very large bond issue then before the Council.  Specifically, we advocated for inclusion of environmentally significant areas of the County.  Among the ideas were protection of quality watersheds and streams, and a plan to form large, continuous areas of environmental worth, such as Greenways.  The Council’s work on that bond issue was so far along that little could be altered at that point, particularly given its contentious history on the non-environmental aspects of the bond issue.  We were heartened by the comments of Council members, who recognized the difficulties of that time.

Last year, a specific bond issue for $30 million was proposed to the Lehigh County Commissioners.  In December, we appeared before them to urge An Improvement to the Proposed Ballot Question, which we supported in principle.  The ballot question was vague and general and gave no sense of the urgency of protecting environmentally significant areas.  While this does not exclude actions which would protect crucial environmental areas, it does not ensure that protection.

Now, a similar proposal is before this County Council—and we have similar concerns. An Open Space bond issue should give highest priority to the irreplacable environmental areas of our county.  We think that priority should be clearly stated by the council and appear on the ballot for the consideration of the voters.

Several years ago, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission did a survey and produced a report, listing the most important environmental areas in both Lehigh and Northampton Counties.  To date, we do not believe any of those places have been protected by public action.  We want those places to be specifically targeted by this proposed bond issue.  Other needs for county parks and farmland preservation have been attended to, and thus do not need the same level of support at this time—they should be supported, but at a reduced financial level.

Finally, there is a need for a comprehensive plan for the integration of all aspects of protecting and enhancing our natural areas, providing open space for recreational activities that are complementary to the environment, and preserving farmland.  For example, with the new infusion of funds from this proposed bond issue, it might well be advantageous to rearrange some of the land uses envisaged under the recently passed $111 million bond issue. 

We would also urge this committee to consider carefully the similar bond issue passed in Monroe County, and examine the uses to which that money was put.

Finally, there is not enough money to buy all the land and easements required for merely keeping what we still have.  A strong zoning policy in and among the municipalities is the other tool that is desperately needed.  When the Council decides how to allocate fund in each year’s budget, and the proceeds from any bond proposal, it should give funding priority to those groups of municipalities that are working on joint zoning programs.  That is a key concept!

We recommend:

1.       Specifically spell out in the proposed bond ballot question, or in the council’s own proposal (should it chose that approach), the specific amounts for each category identified, allowing for an optional 10% at the Council’s discretion.

2.       Target 50% of funds for preservation, enhancement and enlargement of those environmental areas identified in the LVPC Inventory.

3.       Develop procedures to preferentially direct bond funds and other county funds to those municipalities, working as a group, who have joint zoning programs.

We would be pleased to work with the Council and the County Executive in developing these proposals for ensuring the optimal use of public money for protecting our natural heritage, developing appropriate public open space projects, and preserving farmland.

Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully submitted,

David K. McGuire, Ph.D.

Chair, Executive Committee
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