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Investing
in Open Space is a Benefit, not a Cost
What
Land to Protect?
How Do We Protect Our Land?
Forests, grasslands, borders along streams and lakes, and all other undeveloped lands help ensure a high quality of life for our homes, businesses, schools, and even our industrial areas. For example, undeveloped lands supply:
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Raw materials for our fuel, paper, furniture, and other products
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A natural filter that cleans ozone, dust, allergens, and other pollutants from the air Forests in particular help keep ozone below those that trigger asthma attacks in children).
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Oxygen for us to breathe by removing excess carbon dioxide from the air and slowing global warming
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A sponge that sucks up and cleans ground water.
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Flood control.
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Stream and bay protection from pollution (toxics, nutrients, sediment)
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Soil erosion prevention
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Habitat for diverse species (20 species of birds and mammals, 27 fish, amphibian and reptile species, and 18 plant species are endangered or threatened in PA)
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Natural areas for human recreation and emotional rejuvenation
Yet,
we are quickly losing the undeveloped lands that are left in Pennsylvania
and the Lehigh Valley. According to the 21st Century Environment
Commission, development has gobbled up land 80 percent more rapidly
than the population has expanded. This sprawl has drastically decreased
undeveloped habitat and has led to a cascade of problems. The environmental
services are breaking down and communities are increasingly dependent
on long and costly supply lines and ever more extensive substitution
of expensive man-made support systems to replace the natural and agricultural
systems that are lost to urban, suburban, and industrial development.
When
you as a community leader protect ecologically sensitive lands, you
receive a significant return on your investment. In short, buying and
preserving undeveloped land saves money.
Protecting the environment is only about creating picture postcards. Some of the most critical areas are not necessarily tourist or even recreational destinations. They are ecologically sensitive and critical areas that provide habitat for wildlife, keep our drinking water clean, and serve critical roles in larger ecosystems that will suffer without them.
To ensure a healthy and viable future, we must protect:
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Wetlands, streams, and their watersheds
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Wildlife habitat, including sufficiently large areas to maintain area-sensitive species
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Historic and cultural resources
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Areas and corridors that provide connectivity between natural habitat areas and cultural resources
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Existing natural resources (e.g. forests, water supplies)
Consider these guidelines as you attempt to identify, protect, and purchase ecologically sensitive lands in your borough or township:
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Have in place an effective stream-corridor-protection ordinance based on a model ordinance before applying for funds.
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Create an open space plan in agreement with current county comprehensive greenway plan (if not already in place).
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Cooperate in regional planning. Numerous regional planning groups have formed in the Lehigh Valley. Contact the Lehigh Valley Planning commission for information on regional planning groups n your area.
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Coordinate plans with your neighboring municipalities for preservation of parks, natural and sensitive areas, and farmlands.
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Look for connectivity and corridors for all types of land preservation within your municipality and with neighboring ones.
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Emphasize passive, not active recreation.
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Leverage funds with tax and assessment policies.
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Use capital funds for asset acquisition, not operating costs.
