Experts Comment on Wetlands Public Hearing
Kate Farrell
January 14, 2008
"Thank you for allowing me to speak tonight on your work to develop policies regulating the disturbance of wetlands in Washington County. The proposed ordinance is an important first step towards more effective wetlands preservation, and you are to be commended for it. At the same time, I wonder if the proposed ordinance goes far enough: now would seem to be the right moment to extend protection to smaller wetlands (< 0.25 acre) that are so important to healthy ecosystems in the Town of Washington."
-Bill Schleshinger
The following commentaries were presented at the public hearing on the Town of Washington's proposed Wetlands ordinance on January 14th at the Town Hall:
Dave Clouser and Dr. Michael Klemens, conservation biologist and ecologist, submitted reviews of the Wetlands Ordinance. In addition, William Schlesinger presented his opinion as both a resident of the Town of Washington and the Director of the Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies.
The comments have been recorded into the public record and submitted for consideration by the Wetlands Ordinance Committee. This expert opinion will join the research gathered by Councilman Mike Murphy and his committee members Frank Genova, retired soil specialist, Brad Roeller, IES horticulturist, Matt Rollins, owner of Rollins Landscaping and Dan Weller, retired forester.
Councilman Murphy also gathered a focus group for input: Peter Devers, Whalen Real Estate, Bob Campbell, Campbell Construction, Dick Whalen, farmer, Ted Rathgen, nurseryman and landscaper, and Peter Groffman, microbial biologist, Cary Institute for Ecosystem Studies.