In light of the county board’s recent response to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that seems to expand federal control over the waters of the United States, a clearer understanding of the significance of the rule in view of the county’s relationship to water should be considered. The rule is currently pending finalization in the EPA.
Whatever the EPA does about this rule, what’s important is the fact that waters of whatever kind are linked in watersheds and in connected systems. We all likely care about what is upstream of us and our drinking waters, our fishing waters and what seeps into our wells. Thus, we must be vigilant about what goes downstream and we need to better manage those connected hydrological systems. To do this effectively may result in new land management policies. And those policies may impact some property rights.
Locally, the new county septic ordinance for which the county has been recognized, the county zoning ordinance, the Department of Natural Resources shoreland standards and new invasive species laws impact my property rights. But these restraints also protect our waters from pollutants and inappropriate uses. The payback to me is my health and the protection of my property values. The county tourism economy is maintained. And, no expensive fixes or add-ons are necessary to improve already healthy, high quality water.
In a democracy, the greater good is served by careful regulation of actions that affect the “commons,” in this case the waters of the state. What is needed is a proportional balance between rules and behavior. Unfortunately, in some instances egregious behavior needs to be regulated as self control and common sense just doesn’t work.
A good example of this is the growing need to more effectively prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS). We now have laws on the books that make it a crime to transport AIS from one lake to another. However the state’s first response to AIS was to appeal to the personal responsibility of watercraft owners to make certain their craft were not transporting AIS. Clearly, that didn’t work as AIS continued and continues to spread—even with new laws, fines and controls. In 2013, 33 percent of inspected boats were found to be in violation.
I believe our county should support regulations that may result in improved management of our precious water resources; resources that generate significant revenues for the county and are the source of so much recreational enjoyment for our citizens. Until we know how the rules may affect our property rights and constrain our behaviors let us not judge the government’s considered actions.
Biz Clark
Grand Marais
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