Policy Forum

New Directions for
Natural Resource Policy


May 23, 1997


Allocation of Natural Resources

Agricuture uses one of our nation's most
precious natural resources, land. However, as
the use of different management practices and
the rise of more chemical applications to crops
should we not protect this valuable asset? One
suggested method to protect the land would be
to implement land use controls. The
appropriation of land is a sensitive issue to
Americans, who primarily fear and oppose land
use controls. These controls are viewed as being
contrary to the freedom of an individual to use
the land as desired. Some Americans believe that
private land includes the right to destroy natural
resources. This attitude needs to be changed
because it illustrates the lack of environmental
concern the American people, as a whole, display.
Northern and Central Europeans and much of the
rest of the world view land ownership as a
privelege and ownership is conditioned on
preserving it for future generations. For example,
in Germany, 80% of the country is in agriculture
and forestry uses, despite a population density
8 times that of the United States. Isn't there a
we can address the need to maintain the earth so
that we continue to provide for the nation
implementing, what may seem violating, land-use
restrictions?
J. Pedrotty



May 28, 1997


In my opinion, the government should
extend its Natural Resource Policies not only to
farm production, but also to urban development.
I feel that many of the nation's farmers are
concerned with environmental issues since their
livelihood depends on the land. Many of the
country's producers are small family operations.
If they do not protect their own acreage against
environmental deterioration, then they are
shooting themselves in the foot. The majority
of them cannot afford to expand by buying more
land to compensate from lost production and
environmental damage.
Environmental policies should be extended
to urban development as well. Tremendous
amounts of land are destroyed by urban
encroachment and very few people object to this
as it is in the name of progress. At the same time
these cities expand into what was once farm
country, many of our downtown districts are
becoming run-down. Futrthermore, what was
once thriving business and shopping areas are
left empty, taking up space. Why is the urban
sprawl problem not addressed and harped upon
as is the agricultural environmental deterioration
issue? Could it be that money and representation
talk?
N. Rider


To participate in the formu send your response to this address,
and use as a subject "Natural Resources Forum".
fwhite@agecon.uga.edu






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