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Alternative Futures |
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Change: Conservation 'B' |
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'Conservation 'B'' is based on principles that are generally considered to be essential to "good conservation practice." Lands proposed for this conservation policy set include areas from each of the landscape evaluations: From the Geologic Evaluation are areas of importance to maintaining high surface and ground water quality, wetlands, non-septic soils, and soils with high agricultural productivity. From the Biologic Evaluation are areas of highest biodiversity, bear habitat, and Monroe County's "special areas of natural importance." Finally, from the Visual Evaluation are existing agricultural lands, water bodies, and other areas considered scenic in views from roads and major public viewpoints. Taken together, these are the areas which form the basis for the special character of the Poconos, and Monroe County in particular.
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The orange color on 'Conservation Priorities: 1993 Land Cover' shows landscape that should have been protected, under these criteria, but which by 1993 had been lost to development. Most land falling under the policies of Conservation 'B' is privately owned, and conservation rights would have to be acquired by purchase or other means. To implement this strategy now (and we realize what an heroic assumption this represents) would cost each person now residing in Monroe County an additional $1000 per year for twenty years. But paying for this, will have insured the future of the most important landscape resources (and it may seem a bargain after considering the Alternatives).
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