Letters to the Editor 05-24-2006
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Erosion Control
Erosion Control
Editor, Times-Union:We applaud the Kosciusko County Commissioners for taking a first step when they approved an amendment to the county's erosion control ordinance that was badly needed.
This recent action is only part of the equation. Our county officials are tardy in fully realizing their responsibility for the land around our lakes. Our lakes, by statute, belong to the State of Indiana and its people. It is the state's responsibility to assure these recreational assets are available to all. It is, on the other hand, county government's responsibility to carefully manage land development around each lake to assure lake viability-local control, not state control. Managed land use development, or lack of it, falls on county officials.
The Area Plan Commission is still wrestling (a correct description) with two zoning amendments vital to our lake resources. Rapidly increasing cultural eutrophication endangers our lake eco-systems. Here's what has been proposed: 1) A Lake District Residential Zone around each lake over 10 acres; and, 2) Standards to prohibit excessive back lot development (commonly referred to as funneling). Only common-sense zoning measures such as these to help manage growth around and near our lakes will have any real impact. Special interest group pressure to stop or neuter these amendments is fierce.
While we are grateful one hurdle has been surmounted, approval of these other two important zoning amendments is critical. Think about this: Property in only four county townships provides a majority of the total assessed valuation tax base needed to support county governmental services. Lakeside property accounts for a whopping 37 percent!
If our county officials decline to approve these two additional zoning amendments, or dilute them into ineffective nonsense, it will be tantamount to biting one of the hands that feeds the county coffers. Lake water clarity, quality and purity will ultimately suffer and property values will decline. You will not want to swim in the water. It's happened elsewhere.
We would ask our planners and commissioners this: What will be your legacy for the children of our grand children? Will you be remembered as commissioners who accepted their public responsibility and took steps to safeguard the future of our natural lakes? Or, will you be known as one of those who, when offered the opportunity, ignored the facts and did little or nothing?
Dan Lee, President
Chapman Lakes Conservation Association, Inc.
Warsaw
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- Erosion Control
Erosion Control
Editor, Times-Union:We applaud the Kosciusko County Commissioners for taking a first step when they approved an amendment to the county's erosion control ordinance that was badly needed.
This recent action is only part of the equation. Our county officials are tardy in fully realizing their responsibility for the land around our lakes. Our lakes, by statute, belong to the State of Indiana and its people. It is the state's responsibility to assure these recreational assets are available to all. It is, on the other hand, county government's responsibility to carefully manage land development around each lake to assure lake viability-local control, not state control. Managed land use development, or lack of it, falls on county officials.
The Area Plan Commission is still wrestling (a correct description) with two zoning amendments vital to our lake resources. Rapidly increasing cultural eutrophication endangers our lake eco-systems. Here's what has been proposed: 1) A Lake District Residential Zone around each lake over 10 acres; and, 2) Standards to prohibit excessive back lot development (commonly referred to as funneling). Only common-sense zoning measures such as these to help manage growth around and near our lakes will have any real impact. Special interest group pressure to stop or neuter these amendments is fierce.
While we are grateful one hurdle has been surmounted, approval of these other two important zoning amendments is critical. Think about this: Property in only four county townships provides a majority of the total assessed valuation tax base needed to support county governmental services. Lakeside property accounts for a whopping 37 percent!
If our county officials decline to approve these two additional zoning amendments, or dilute them into ineffective nonsense, it will be tantamount to biting one of the hands that feeds the county coffers. Lake water clarity, quality and purity will ultimately suffer and property values will decline. You will not want to swim in the water. It's happened elsewhere.
We would ask our planners and commissioners this: What will be your legacy for the children of our grand children? Will you be remembered as commissioners who accepted their public responsibility and took steps to safeguard the future of our natural lakes? Or, will you be known as one of those who, when offered the opportunity, ignored the facts and did little or nothing?
Dan Lee, President
Chapman Lakes Conservation Association, Inc.
Warsaw
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