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Alternative Futures |
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Impacts: Geologic |
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The analyses and Future Alternatives that have just been presented are complex. To highlight the relative impacts of each of the Alternatives, we will now compare them with the six criteria used in the earlier evaluations: The Geologic Landscape, The Biologic Landscape, The Visual Landscape, Demographics, Economics, and Politics. The Geologic Landscape concerns the physical processes of Monroe County, primarily soil and water. They are directly impacted by being destroyed or displaced by development and by septic discharge. The Plan-Trend and Build-Out have negative geologic impacts because both cause widespread development while only utilizing Conservation Policy 'A' areas currently publicly owned or regulated by law. Simply stated, Conservation 'A' alone does not sufficiently protect the sensitive landscape areas of Monroe County. By concentrating new development in smaller areas, the Township mitigates much geologic impact. However, the Townships must fully coordinate their individual plans into a comprehensive water quality management program. The Southern strategy of dividing the County into two areas for planning purposes may successfully protect the geologic landscape of the area. Through the practice of Transfer of Development Rights, the fragile soils of the mesic pine barren eco-system in the north will be left intact, while less sensitive areas in the south are more densely developed. |
By concentrating development in the central section of the County, the Spine protects much of the existing undeveloped land. However, the preservation of this open space comes at the expense of severe impacts in the expanded 611 corridor, which will be irrevocably urbanized. The Park provides the greatest protection for the Geologic Landscape. Not only does it propose conservation of the largest amount of land, but by using the strategy of densification in selected sewered areas, there is little threat of ground water contamination by the over use of septic tanks. Maps showing geologic impacts Existing Geologic
Impacts
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