Gaining support for a plan for the future is not easy, especially when the need isn’t apparent.
The Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed is a case in point.
A casual look around our hills and shorelines suggests that “all is well.” It begs the question: why do we need to plan ahead? Observations around the watershed include: “Why, our water quality is as good as ever. It hasn’t changed much over the last several decades.”
In fact, water quality degradation is often slow and incremental over time. Increased recreational use of our lakes and river, combined with the aging process accelerated by many septic systems (even when they are functioning well), can cause irreversible aging. Our renowned vibrant blue lakes may even turn green. Once they do that, it’s impossible to roll back the clock.
One protection tool that can be used to slow their aging process is to add supplemental zoning focused on protecting our ground and surface water. This supplement zoning is often called an Overlay District.
A three-year, science based process involving the work of multiple community members has resulted in an opportunity to step up efforts to guide future development. As responsible watershed residents, it’s well worth our time to inspect the proposed Glen Lake/Crystal River Watershed Overlay District.
Remember, what we have today is for tomorrow, but only if we plan ahead.
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