Growth

I know that cities and businesses have operated under a "If your not growing your dying" philosophy. It seems to me that, in a county where we recently had a moratorium on water taps because of drought, we need to reconsider this philosophy. I think you could argue that growth, when done improperly, could be viewed as slowly bleeding an area to death. The water issues have only begun in the American Southwest. We need to look further down the road than 15 years. Shouldn't towns and cities be looking at a longer term legacy/ existence? The warning shots have been fired. Let's pay attention and think about sustainability.

Thank You Commissioners

The La Plata County Commissioners have decided to delay issuing a permit to the Wildcat Mine because of a lack of information. The Durango Herald stated on Saturday that "La Plata County planning staff has recommended that unless Wildcat Mining Corp. turns in additional information to the county - specifically, how the project in La Plata Canyon will be accessed - commissioners should deny the permit." It is good to see the Commissioners taking a good solid look at the proposed project. Gold mining is not innocuous. Though the options are better than the old Arsenic days there is the potential for heavy impacts to water, in this case the La Plata River, a major tributary to the San Juan. The mine is situated directly above the river. Good work Commissioners.

Head of EPA

Rumor has it that President Elect Barack Obama is considering Bobbie Kennedy Jr. as the head of the EPA. With what little impact my input has, I think he would be hard pressed to do any better for the position. Bobbie Kennedy Jr. has an immense amount of experience with nearly all aspects of the environmental issues that we will be faced with in the near future. He is actively working to generate energy alternatives to oil, understands the Clean Water Act, and the many components of NEPA. It would be great to see someone so proactive head up the EPA.