Get involved so plan reflects our wishes

In order to protect the vibrant quality of life we experience here, an abundance of native species, and the water that surrounds our lands, I urge you to lend your voice in support of the proposed changes to the Bonner County Land Use Code.

Through measures to protect these resources, we may ensure that Bonner County be a desirable place to live, work, and play well into the future.

The 40-foot setback is not proposed to change; the compromise is that we now require that setback be vegetated along waterbodies to protect the water from pollution caused by runoff from stormwater, construction, and landscaping. This is integral to the quality of the nearshore waters of Lake Pend Oreille; degradation in developed areas is already being documented. A vegetated buffer can be a very attractive, low maintenance attribute to local properties, maintaining resources and land values.

In addition, the proposed stormwater and erosion control grading ordinance is important to keep the soil on the land. Not only does sedimentation degrade water quality, it causes landowners to lose vast amounts of land every year.

County commissioners need your help in deciding what measures to adopt. If we do not adopt more stringent land use regulations, this land will no longer look like your home.

KATE WILSON

Sandpoint