Many of us have been pursuing land preservation as a concept but have not put it into context other than to say that “it’s good”. Well, land preservation is actually a part of the larger matter of planned development. The continued unplanned development in Maryland and elsewhere has brought us to a point where our children face a crushing financial burden simply to own a home. When my mother bought a split level rancher in 1962, it cost $16,000.00 What does it cost today? Over $300,000 is a good bet. Are our children earning 19 times what an average person earned in 1962? The minimum wage worker would need to be making about $98,900.00 for that to be true!!
Whence global warming, there are steps that can be taken now without waiting for salvation by technology. One of these solutions is planned development. Autos may pollute but the amount of pollution is related to the miles driven. If land is preserved and development directed to higher density developments, our children can acquire housing without the enormous cost of the present suburban/rural sized parcel of land. The population of Maryland has increased by 1.4 million in thirty years. As the government grows, Maryland continues to increase in population. Consider just the Military Base Realignment changes that will add approximately 50,000 jobs to Maryland. It just keeps on going. Land preservation will not only save the natural beauty that we treasure. It will eventually force planned development as a result of the shortage of land for traditional suburban lots.
We are not an end in ourselves. We are part of the larger evolution of society in the 21st century. The Boston-Washington corridor will not go away. Population will increase. How the increase is handled is the question. Remember another bit of the 60’s – If you are not part of the solution; you are part of the problem. Keep up the effort.
Cornelius J. Carmody
