OFBD Forum April 2004 ~ Environment Comments

http://www.keysregion.org/surveyresults/surveyresults.htm

 

 

á   Renewable energy-in particular, photovoltaric (solar electricity)

á   There are no borders to the natural environment

á   Bioregional influences, i.e., watersheds

á   Anti sprawl measures, open space initiatives, anti ground/water pollution, financing stewardship of community land

á   Need to discuss the built environment sprawl and the visual environment.  Need to discuss how growth threatens natural environment, increases traffic, has led to ugly development esp. along Rte. 1 and Rte. 236, the loss of access to views and sprawl that decreases walkability, sense of community and livability

á   Task force for clean up/monitoring Mt. A and beaches, green space

á   Regionalization/resource protection & understanding of MaineÕs most valuable asset, our natural habitats!

á   Connect with tourism as well as individual cost/increases

á   Greenspace Ð conservation that doesnÕt lock up land and/or prevent public use

á   Continuation of regional, non-governmental groups to ensure long range solutions

á   Work across town lines to advocate for the protection of priority areas Ð wildlife habitats, open space, clean water, public access to waterways and trails, develop a plan for controlled growth

á   Control of spread by saving land, where will $ come from

á   Regional look at zoning to protect wildlife corridors, transfer of development rights

á   Monitor the environment and all that affects it with an environmental report cad and action team

á   Preserving large blocks of unfragmented wildlife habitat.  Practice land use that protects water quality and quantity

á   This vision misses the part and connection humans play in the environment.  We need a healthy environment to survive

á   That we conserve the unique and integral aspects of our working landscapes and natural world reflecting the values of our individual communities

á   Prioritization for preservation of open spaces and a balanced approach to planning for conservation of land and resources with respect to community, appreciation and involvement re:  importance to our future (i.e., having community spaces to use as well as wild lands that remain untouched)

á   Stakeholders meetings re:  river, wetlands wealth

á   Regional approach to sensible development that does not jeopardize natural resources

á   Need for legislation to effect changes in pollution caused by ineffective standards in other regions of country.

á   Recreation areas Ð walking, biking trails

á   How to educate the general populace (not the choir) as to the importance of working to preserve the natural resources

á   Mt. Agamenticus coalition, open space protection, wildlife habitat

á   Need to consider regional coordination of local ordinance for land use to provide improved development and protective applications

á   Better Keys-wide recycling, more hiking opportunities

á   Regional cooperation with planning for natural resources, cooperating among the KEYS communities for understanding relationships

á      Land use rules across town boundaries, advocate for land bonds, river protection with adequate set backs, code enforcement

 

 

OFBD Forum 9/29/05 Environment Table Notes

Citizen input as written on the tablecloth during cafŽ style conversations, in response to this vision/goals statement:

 

Environment: We envision a regional community where all people respect and nurture the physical environment and itÕs resources, ensuring its sustained health and wellbeing, so that it may continue to support all forms of life.

 

Goals to move us toward that vision:

 

a.          Land Management: Decrease the spread of development in rural parts of the region, focusing it instead in regionally designated growth centers.

b.         Water Management: Improve the quality of regional fresh, estuarine and marine waters to ensure that they are drinkable, fishable and swimable.

c.          Stewardship: Increase the percentage of KEYS communitiesÕ waste that is recycled.

 

Table Notes (lines separate clusters of notes):

 

á      Need more collaborative approach at state level

á      What happens when town says grown enough?  When build out in growth area?

á      Unintended consequences of desig. growth zones

á      Growth centers shouldnÕt be imposed in all towns Ð where most appropriate

á      Env. need Ð not teach to test Ð foster stewardship with youth

á      Need to consider all elements of community life in coordination

á      In initial phases of comp planning Ð be regional in approach Ð 2 meeting of address regional impacts -- Not state forced -- but state recommend process for coop. as opp. arises.

á      Need for relationship between comp plan and ordinances

á      Inconsistent support at state level for plan dev. and review

á      Issue of state forced planning

á      Dev. comp. plan implementation committee to constantly revisit comp plan

 

á      ab+c Ð education of youth Ð environment.  We need to teach young people about what is here to value.  Incorporate Maine Learning Results in historical, wildlife, & heritage areas of our communities Ð to provide a forum for teachers to be able to implement.

á      Also economic development can be complimentary with environmental conservation

á      Drawing Ð tree with river and person in canoe

 

¥    Goals for environment

  1. increase amount of land conservation for habitat, recreation, etc.
  2. instill an environmental ethic in schools throughout region.  Through more env. ed. opportunities, place & experience-based in our local communities.

 

 

á      integration/collaboration

 

á      reframe the messages

 

á      imagineÉ.

 

ÒÉfear is the mindkiller, the little deathÉÓ  Frank Herbert, Dune

 

á      Buy in Ð politically manipulating

 

á      Irony:  Tim Decoteau as spokesman for Mt. A to the Sea

 

á      Question old assumptions!! (Discovery)

 

á      State planning is screwed up!

á      Need more carrot less stick!

á      The growth zone approach does not fit in many of our towns.

á      York is dealing with the consequences of what was forced on us by State Planning and in the comp plan

 

á      Need link at state level for growth centers with open space planning

á      Community land trust Ð to cons. land while dev. affordable housing (Trans. Dev. Rights)

á      3 local land trusts could create/unite to dev. comm. land trust

á      Overlapping env. projects Ð need for coord. for support, coord. not avail at town level, also need for add $ to IFW

á      Could there be a regional master plan? with designated regional growth zone Ð would there be support for this?  Need focus on reg.  plan element and local comp. plans

 

á      Education is key

á      Overlap with environmental functions, projects. Can these be streamlined??

á      Bring H2O and stewardship down to the elementary school level.  This starts early.  Make 4 town ÒcompetitionÓ to see which is doing better.

á      Can people get a ÒstipendÓ and some recognition level, for some of these ÒcoordinatorÓ or facilitator positions to get environmental staff rolling!