This article is funny for a number of reasons.
The new grass cutting method utilized by a horse... I know we may be a little
slow on the uptake, but in Texas we call this grazing.
We think it's a tragedy for the develoopers to destroy this site of natural
beauty when they could keep it an open space everyone can enjoy. This is
practically a communist statement, at least one of a looter. What right or
claim do they think they have for their enjoyment of someone elses property.
That is like people coming around to lobby and gaggle about what they think I
should plant in my back yard, and when I should mow it. None of their damn
business, actually. Their mistake is thinking because their eyes or feet have
wandered across it, that it gives them some right to speculate about it with
any authority or voice of concern.
We don't think any ecological and environmental scientific study has been
taken out ont he site Well, that about sums it up. He doesn't think it has
happened, probably because nobody discussed it with him. Well, let me tell you,
from a few thousand miles away, it certainly has. Before land is ever purchased
by a developer, it is put under purchasing option, and test are run. They run a
geotech analysis, an environmental, soil analysis with plasticity indices, etc
all done by professionals, and certified by engineering firms. These are just a
few of the tests. Seems rather foolish to buy the property first, get ready for
construction, and then say maybe we should do a land survey first before we
dump a bunch of houses on it, what do you blokes think?
So what is going to happen? I'll tell you: Business as usual. The orchids may
be a superficial concern, but it is a mere triviality. At worst, the developer
will have to pay some extra fees for the damage he incurred to the environment
of the orchids. Unless there isn't already a provision by the city for such
things, in which case, the whole thing goes off without a hitch.
How the hell do I know this? Not to sound snotty, but I've worked at the
geotech, survey, and engineering firms. Secondly, my father is a land developer
for the US's largest custom home building corporation, and I am familiar with
the development process from land entitlement to home warranty. No simpler way
of saying it. So, I have a little bit on knowledge on how the whole machine
works.
What do I mean by environment damage? Let's say that the city says we have to
keep so many trees, and we can't affect the water flow across the land. We cut
down whatever trees we want, and put in ponds or drain lakes if we please, and
displace wildlife. In reparation, we pay fees to the city for cutting down the
trees, and we build drainage systems to keep the water flow the same across the
land, and coyotes stroll down the street and eat pets. That is the cost of
doing business. Ecologically disgusting, but business as usual. If you want an
environementally friendly community built into a nature reserve, we could
probably build those at quadruple the land costs and you're gonna pay for it,
but you certainly aren't getting it for free. But people don't want to buy
those. They don't want to pay $450,000 for a smaller home crowded with trees,
instead of a $300,000 home with a nice lawn, backyard, swimming pool, patio,
community center, and home owner's association.
So what should the people do? Ask the developer for permission, enter the land
and take whatever plant life and soil you please. He surely doesn't care. That
is about as good as they can hope for, and is good publicity for all. At
worst, it might cause a slight delay to the development because of publicity
concerns, but they will be steamrolled anyway and you can kiss the orchids
goodbye. The city isn't going to give up the growth, money, jobs, taxes, and
goodwill that the development will bring. Conserving the orchids is in nobody's
best interest, except those who don't have any claim to the orchids themselves,
and don't stand to loose anything by arresting the development. It is the
nature of people to want something for nothing. This is why I advocate buying
land that you want to protect from habitat loss, because otherwise you have no
say. Even nationalized land can be bought from the less affluent countries. So
once again, let's take up a collection and buy up the Philippines. If we really
care, let's put our money where our mouths are instead of speculating about
what private people should do with their private property.
On December 3, 2004, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
news story :
RARE ORCHID MAY BE A THREAT TO GATEWAY SCHEME
CAMPAIGNERS fighting for Harlow's green spaces are hoping a rare plant will
thwart the controversial Gateway Scheme
source and full story :
http://www.herts-essex-news.co.uk/star/news/story.asp?id=176555
Regards,
Viateur
___
the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD)
[EMAIL
