OK, I'll reply. The rant referenced raises a sore point with me. Yes - development does slowly harm streams , but 20 condos is not the end of the world. And what do you think TU can do? We are still a capitalist country where the landowner can do what they want with a property as long as they follow the laws. TU can check that a development is built within the zoning laws and make sure the set backs, storm water management plan, etc are in order, but they really have little power to stop a development that is built legally.
I hear people go on and on about building they don't like at the final hearing and all it does is cause one to lose credibility with town officials. The real work is at myriad boring planning commission, sewer authority, etc meetings that determine the zoning regulations. And no growth is not a real option. The US population has more than doubled during my lifetime. Much as I don't like development, what are we do do with all the people. Isn't housing a human need too?
Well, first I'd like to say that it was not my intentions to start a debate about this topic, but then again it is a fishing forum so everything is a debate. :toilet-humor:
Second, I'll refer you to a very recent local article (local to me, I see you are from NJ)
Officials: Village works to recover from sewage leak :: Today :: PostStar.com
I do not intend this article to exemplify what could occur on the Ausable specifically, but rather to show that human error is common! Lake George is one of the most pristine lakes in the United States, with water quality so high most seasonal camps and some full time homes along the shoreline simply use a coarse pre-filter for their drinking water and nothing else, yet we still literally let shit spill into it.
To delve further I'll say that I am into my third year of study in Aquatics and Fisheries Science at SUNY-ESF (I am not saying this to start a game of who's dick is bigger, but rather to suggest I've seen what happens with "development"). Hell, I had to do an entire course on Best Management Practices, walking logging operations and contstruction sites seeing what actually happened rather than what is said will happen as far as environmental impact. Have a look at most of the tributary streams to Lake George, they all have massive deltas. Why? Because the amount of sediment carried down the waters has skyrocketted after human growth became inevitable.
Obviously we cannot cut-off further development, but do we need to do it next to one of the best trout fishing waters in New York(IMO, lets not start that.)? I think those 20 condos would do just fine somewhere else. Why the hell would you even risk it? And as much as I believe all the rules and regs will be followed (my ass) I don't foresee this having minimal ill effect. That could be over one hundred people, many cars, pavement, tree removal, new landscaping, fertilizer, lots of sewage, etc.
As far as TU's involvement. They are one of the greatest watch-dogs fishermen, as well as any environmentalists, have! Of course I'd want them involved! Who else will sound the horn if something has gone awry? The developer? And when...I mean if...something is damaging the environment as a result of this, is average Joe going to have the power to stop it? No, that's something for TU.
I don't mean to start a huge argument as to whether this is right or wrong, inevitably ending in someone solving all human-kind's problems with their ultimate wisdom. I mean to alert the masses this is happening, and to ask for involement if you so happen to feel the same way as me.
