Don't compromise on open space

(Original publication: October 23, 2003)

The concept of open-space preservation has been undermined by varied definitions of the term "open space." As informed citizens, we need to realize that open space refers to the preservation, in perpetuity, of undeveloped land.

The precious and ever-diminishing undeveloped woodlands, meadows and wetlands in Putnam County have inherent value because they perform, free, the otherwise costly services of water purification, air purification and biodiversity protection. Putnam County residents can't afford to equate golf courses, soccer fields and higher-acreage zoning with open space. Profit-minded developers and their allies use these tantalizing terms in their efforts to get their building projects approved. In such circumstances, citizens may feel some sense of comfort that a small percentage of Putnam's natural environment has been saved from home-building, albeit in exchange for allowing development of the vast majority of the acreage in question.

Unfortunately, when woodlot clearings, paved roads, logging roads and the like penetrate or even border a habitat, the neighboring land suffers many ill effects. The moisture supply and nutrient availability diminishes, and evaporation and soil erosion accelerates in a phenomenon biologists call "edge effect." This, in turn, favors early successional species and enables invasive exotic plants to gain footholds in established natural communities. Thus, the priceless services our environment provides for us are thoughtlessly squandered in order to fulfill our shortsighted and empty desires for more roads, shopping centers, golf courses and bigger houses.

Karina Fabbie, Mahopac