Open Space - Sprawl

In 1999 the Department of Agriculture announced that During the period from 1992 to 1997 an average of 3.2 million acres were developed per year, more than double the annual average of 1.4 million acres during the previous decade.

A USA Today Article in Mar. 2002 stated:
"Controlling sprawl remains popular with voters: 73% of the open-space protection measures on ballots last November passed. Despite a state deficit that could hit $17 billion, California voters this month approved Proposition 40, which allocates $2.6 billion to land protection."

The need of greenways 
protection of watershed areas to maintain safe drinking water,
endangered and threatened species are an important indicator of pristine areas. 
open space is better than active recreation (soccer, baseball) greenways
biodiversity,

Sprawl and development
aquifers emptied on steep slopes where bedrock is blasted . 
polluted streams and drinking water,
flooding and eutrophication of both lakes an reservoirs,
diminishes the  natural resources while it increases the need for them.
reduced quality of life.
invasive plant problem that is destroying the state's natural landscapes

Increased traffic and commute time; tax increases for new roads; threatens historic places and open space; new school costs; disinvestment in education and community; property values decrease.

Sprawl causes dilution of: infrastructures; schools (teacher/student ratios, closures/enrollments, investments and repair); services (police and fire response times; water supply, main breaks and repairs; sewage system; street maintenance, potholes, orange barrels, insurance claims; stakeless stakeholders -- taxation in one jurisdiction pays for growth in another; fairness versus choice.

Loss of Farmland
Issues: Food safety, supply, and security (not to rely on foreign imports); economic contribution of farming (and related industries) to community; agriculture doesn't demand much of local community; we feed the world; loss of wildlife near town; loss of open space; community separations and boundaries; watershed and water quality; less cement; viewshed to supply relief from urban life; rural way of life, family farms; quality of food, fresh food, farmers market; agricultural land provides diversity of open spaces, food, etc.

See:
The Mysteries of Smart Growth Explained
Biodiversity in the National Parks: Looming Threats to America's ...
Smart Growth Online

Terms:
Eutrophication is a condition in an aquatic ecosystem where high nutrient concentrations stimulate blooms of algae.

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last updated 16 Nov 2003