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Concerns are growing about the future of the Finger Lakes. The expansion of urban sprawl is converting farmland and open space into large lot development. One of the consequences is the decline of the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes Region. Another consequence is that, over time, the viability of the agricultural industry could also be impaired through the loss of a critical mass of farmland
to support not only growers but also the farm suppliers, food processors, equipment sales and other businesses who are partly or entirely dependent on a healthy agricultural industry. Finally, the quality of ground and surface waters could be jeopardized with a variety of negative results including further impact to the agricultural industry and contamination of drinking water sources.
To counter the expansion of urban sprawl, a prototype project has been funded that will test an approach for working with local governments to strengthen the local development planning process. The project—being conducted by the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board (CNY RPDB), the Cayuga County Planning Department (CCPD), and the Institute for the Application of Geospatial
Technology (IAGT)—will identify the environmentally sensitive areas encompassing surface, ground water and other parameters, and suggest remedial steps to address the undesired impacts of development.
The project approach is watershed based, given the long-standing local interest in maintaining water quality and open space, while protecting the viability of the Finger Lake's farming community.
Check out our newsletter, The Crossing Place, on line
August 2005
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