Give the SEQR process a chance to work

In order to survive, our need as human beings for clean water is second only to our demand for fresh air. The northeast, especially the Finger Lakes region, is blessed with plenty of high quality water. This is true of both surface water (lakes, rivers) and groundwater (aquifers). In the future, as groundwater supplies in the southwest and southeast are depleted and/or polluted, the northeast will be in a position to attract business. This will be an economic benefit to our communities and citizens, if we plan wisely and implement that plan.

During the 2006 growing season (spring, summer and fall) it seemed to rain all the time. The 2007 season was just the opposite; very dry. We can only pray that God will bless us with adequate rainfall. To assure that our water supply is of high quality, we must make smart decisions on where and how we develop land. That is why there is a SEQR process which addresses development in sensitive areas like the area on the north side of Bath along Rte. 54. We need to let that process work.

We should not presume that more development is OK in that sensitive area, just because there is already development there. What has been done is done. If it was the wrong thing to do, let's not make the same mistake again. Hopefully, we are smarter than that. Let the process work.
John Wildeman
Bath