Thread: Unsustainable Growth in Vermont?

(The most liberal state in the Union complains about population growth. Why don't we advertise Vermont as a Sanctuary State so they really get the message?)

Unsustainable Growth in Vermont?


http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7994476&nav=4QcS

Shelburne, Vermont - March 10, 2008

Clean air, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas. These are some of the environmental assets that many say are the reasons they live in Vermont. And according to a new report-- those very things at risk because so many people want to live here.

"We're not saying build a fence around Vermont-- we're here now and you can't come. We're just saying we need to begin the discussion about population," says George Plumb of the citizens group called Vermonters for a Sustainable Population.

The group released a report Monday called "Disappearing Vermont?" It measured 50 indicators, such as population size, acres of developed land, number of dairy farms, and number of housing units.

Plumb says overpopulation is degrading the state's environment: "You might say it still looks rural, but if you lived here back in the 60s, it's totally different than it was then. If you lose those views, you have more housing, more density of housing, it changes the feeling, the character, the appearance of an area, and I think that has an impact on our quality of life."

Plumb acknowledges the report runs counter to many recent headlines. Census statistics that show Vermont has the lowest birth rate in the country, and a growth rate of just 2.5% this decade-- less than half of the national growth rate of 6.4%. But he says the ideal population for protecting Vermont's environment would be about 300,000-- half of what it is now.

"We've got plenty of space in which to grow responsibly while preserving the beautiful character of our state," argues Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vermont.

Douglas said reducing the state's population would not be sustainable for either the environment or the economy.

"Vermont needs to continue to grow. We need to encourage more young people to stay in our state, to be a part of our economic future, we need to encourage more people to move to Vermont, young, working families who can contribute to our economic success," says Douglas.

The title of the report has a question mark-- suggesting this is not the final word on the issue, but just the beginning of the conversation.

"At least we'll get people thinking with the question mark," says Plumb.

The group says it is not advocating any specific policy change or lobbying the legislature to do anything. But it says fertility rates and immigration policy need to be part of any discussion on the environment.

Click here to read that report online.

Kate Duffy - WCAX News

Oh don't worry, the IA's will be going north soon.

"We've got plenty of space in which to grow responsibly while preserving the beautiful character of our state," argues Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vermont.

Hold that thought, we'll revisit it again next year.

Originally Posted by miguelina

Oh don't worry, the IA's will be going north soon.

"We've got plenty of space in which to grow responsibly while preserving the beautiful character of our state," argues Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vermont.

Hold that thought, we'll revisit it again next year.

Be careful what you wish for. Look what happened in Calif when the welcome mat was put out for illegals.

Originally Posted by GFC

Originally Posted by miguelina

Oh don't worry, the IA's will be going north soon.

"We've got plenty of space in which to grow responsibly while preserving the beautiful character of our state," argues Gov. Jim Douglas, R-Vermont.

Hold that thought, we'll revisit it again next year.

Be careful what you wish for. Look what happened in Calif when the welcome mat was put out for illegals.

Exactly, GFC, exactly.

It just goes to show that many of the most liberal parts of the country are in areas with the least illegals and therefore the least negative experiences with illegals. This is why we must encourage illegals to move to those Sanctuary areas as a means of educating liberals with direct experiences with illegals other than an occasional dinner in an ethnic restaurant.