Mason County, WA USA
DECADES OF ABUSE HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL
Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive
Too often those engaged in efforts to spur economic growth in our community fail to consider that success ultimately depends on our environmental health.
Industries that are considering relocating to our community tend to monitor local politics because they know the opportunity for increased enforcement of existing environmental regulations or the creation of new regulations comes about with each new election cycle. For this reason, it is best all stakeholders in the community be involved in economic decisions that may result in degradation of our environment. This is especially true in communities where the major economic drivers are based on its natural resources, as is the case in Mason County.
As it currently exists, timber and shellfish play a large part in our economy, so clean water conditions are critical to our survival. But the timber and shellfish industries are not necessarily compatible with each other, as evidenced by the large volume of storm-water runoff that comes from clear-cut timber harvesting. This is problematic because contaminated storm-water is the leading cause of pollution of the marine environment in which shellfish are grown. This condition is made worse by the fact that our marine waters are located at the southernmost reaches of Puget Sound, which makes flushing contaminates from our shellfish beds more difficult.
If history is any lesson, preventing environmental pollution is far less costly than cleaning up after it has occurred. And one of the most effective methods of prevention is to keep new sources of industrial pollution from gaining any more of a foothold in our county than it already has. With a little cooperation, those concerned about our environment and promoters of economic growth can find uncontaminated common ground. In this way, our community can look forward to a healthier, more promising future for everyone.
Toward that end, if Mason County is to achieve a sustainable and desirable pattern of growth it would serve us well to consider the following: 1) Agree on a plan that has continuity of purpose among County, City and Port municipalities. 2) Approach growth less as facilitators of business and more like architects of appropriate opportunities for our time.
We find our environment in its current condition as a result of greed, ignorance and apathy, in that order. Blissfully, many think of our County as an environmental paradise, but that is not entirely true. Those bothered to look beyond the tree farms and pond waters know that decades of abuse have taken their toll on our air, our waters and, in some cases, our soils.
In this most important of elections lies the long term economic and environmental health of our community. Short term leaders with shorter term views have left us with few choices. We have no diversified economic drivers to fall back on; we are a natural resource based economy, dependent on the very environment we have so carelessly abused.
The timber industry knows that our soils have been sorely depleted, that is why they’re looking for greener pastures, literally. Our shellfish industry is threatened by ocean acidification, and decades of accumulated contaminates that have built up in local marine waters.
No matter who gets elected, we will survive. But if we elect the right people, we will do more than just survive; we will thrive. New leaders with new vision are essential, if we are to change our course.
No matter what your priorities: the economy, clean water and air, preserving our rural lifestyle, or just holding our community together, the time will never be better to preserve the things you love about Mason County.
Before you vote: think, think it thorough, now think it all the way through. Putting the same (type) people in office year after year has brought us to this point. Allow our County to live up to its potential as both an environmental paradise and an economic powerhouse.
Given all we have, it’s really not that hard. And it starts with change at the top.
Photo by Christine Armond
SHELTON BLOG NOTE:
Link to KMAS News Voters Guide:
http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/voter-guide-2012
Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive
Too often those engaged in efforts to spur economic growth in our community fail to consider that success ultimately depends on our environmental health.
Industries that are considering relocating to our community tend to monitor local politics because they know the opportunity for increased enforcement of existing environmental regulations or the creation of new regulations comes about with each new election cycle. For this reason, it is best all stakeholders in the community be involved in economic decisions that may result in degradation of our environment. This is especially true in communities where the major economic drivers are based on its natural resources, as is the case in Mason County.
As it currently exists, timber and shellfish play a large part in our economy, so clean water conditions are critical to our survival. But the timber and shellfish industries are not necessarily compatible with each other, as evidenced by the large volume of storm-water runoff that comes from clear-cut timber harvesting. This is problematic because contaminated storm-water is the leading cause of pollution of the marine environment in which shellfish are grown. This condition is made worse by the fact that our marine waters are located at the southernmost reaches of Puget Sound, which makes flushing contaminates from our shellfish beds more difficult.
If history is any lesson, preventing environmental pollution is far less costly than cleaning up after it has occurred. And one of the most effective methods of prevention is to keep new sources of industrial pollution from gaining any more of a foothold in our county than it already has. With a little cooperation, those concerned about our environment and promoters of economic growth can find uncontaminated common ground. In this way, our community can look forward to a healthier, more promising future for everyone.
Toward that end, if Mason County is to achieve a sustainable and desirable pattern of growth it would serve us well to consider the following: 1) Agree on a plan that has continuity of purpose among County, City and Port municipalities. 2) Approach growth less as facilitators of business and more like architects of appropriate opportunities for our time.
We find our environment in its current condition as a result of greed, ignorance and apathy, in that order. Blissfully, many think of our County as an environmental paradise, but that is not entirely true. Those bothered to look beyond the tree farms and pond waters know that decades of abuse have taken their toll on our air, our waters and, in some cases, our soils.
In this most important of elections lies the long term economic and environmental health of our community. Short term leaders with shorter term views have left us with few choices. We have no diversified economic drivers to fall back on; we are a natural resource based economy, dependent on the very environment we have so carelessly abused.
The timber industry knows that our soils have been sorely depleted, that is why they’re looking for greener pastures, literally. Our shellfish industry is threatened by ocean acidification, and decades of accumulated contaminates that have built up in local marine waters.
No matter who gets elected, we will survive. But if we elect the right people, we will do more than just survive; we will thrive. New leaders with new vision are essential, if we are to change our course.
No matter what your priorities: the economy, clean water and air, preserving our rural lifestyle, or just holding our community together, the time will never be better to preserve the things you love about Mason County.
Before you vote: think, think it thorough, now think it all the way through. Putting the same (type) people in office year after year has brought us to this point. Allow our County to live up to its potential as both an environmental paradise and an economic powerhouse.
Given all we have, it’s really not that hard. And it starts with change at the top.
Photo by Christine Armond
SHELTON BLOG NOTE:
Link to KMAS News Voters Guide:
http://masoncountydailynews.com/news/voter-guide-2012
KMAS NEWS
PRIMARY ELECTION CANDIDATES' FORUM
on
Thursday, July 12th
at
6:00 - 9:00 PM
at
Sentry Park Pavilion
190 West Sentry Drive
Shelton
PUBLIC IS INVITED
Send your questions for the candidates to
tips@kmas.com
or bring your questions to the broadcast
PRIMARY ELECTION CANDIDATES' FORUM
on
Thursday, July 12th
at
6:00 - 9:00 PM
at
Sentry Park Pavilion
190 West Sentry Drive
Shelton
PUBLIC IS INVITED
Send your questions for the candidates to
tips@kmas.com
or bring your questions to the broadcast
Well said Tom.
ReplyDeleteI hope our citizens will become more involved in the political process and cast their votes based upon close examination of the candidates and their records. Does the candidate's record match his or her words?
Special care should be given to the candidates who wish to replace Fred Finn as a representative for the 35th District, in particular Lynda Ring Erickson... Lynda Ring Erickson, who speaks like a true progressive and votes like a true republican.
Look for candidates whose actions, and record, match their words... when you can find them!