Dear Editor:
I have been biting lips to keep my mouth shut, and I lost that war. I want to address the idea of changing the development size of lots to fit anyone, including a county commissioner. When you make exceptions for one you make them for all. It is a very bad precedent to set. I would like to explain why this is a bad idea.
While living in New Mexico I worked for major developers for over 27 years. I know what major growing pains are and how they can impact the local people, wildlife and environment in general. Water, water run-off, water that we drink, water gardens and crops with, are all impacted. The idea of downsizing what is acceptable for a septic system is extremely bad for ground water. It is that simple. When there are septic tanks and leach fields that are overdeveloped you will see a major increase in high nitrates. That is not good for the ground water, and especially the river. It damn sure is not good for people.
If changed, every Tom, Dick, and Harry can then take five acres and develop them because a standard has been set. I am speaking from personal experience. This was a major issue in New Mexico. No one listened and now much of the ground water is contaminated in a major way. It was about greed. Not with just nitrates, but things like hepatitis, and many other diseases. The water has, in many areas, become dangerous to use. Doing such a change puts everyone at risk. It’s bad for the land, it’s bad for the water, and in the end bad for the community. One should know and understand state laws before subdividing their land. The moss in the river I would bet is coming from higher nitrates from septic systems from homes built on the river along with the excessive spraying..
It’s bad enough we have tires that stack up, sometimes ground (no dust control) on top of a main ditch, close to the river and without addressing the water run-off of the toxins in the tires, or the disease factor. It is a major mosquito farm that also carries disease. We can also add that it is extremely unsightly along with toxic. I am not opposed to the effort even if there is no market for it, but it should be out at a land fill, NOT by water. Water is the most precious resource we have. You can go without food, but no one can go without water. The quality of that water is imperative for health of everyone, man and animal. I urge everyone to do some research on what I said. Demand better from everyone, even the county commissioners.
Sincerely,
Michelle E. Hale CH.t.
Meeker
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