Connecticut Sprawl Hearings Produce Few Takers

While growth and environmental protection have made some headway in achieving greater coordination in many areas, there are still many conflicts and differences of opinion about how development should proceed. Connecticut officials have been searching for ways to minimize what they describe as urban sprawl. From a recent state meeting on the topic, it appears that the public is not really paying much attention to the "sprawl-fighters," at least not at the moment.

I have observed over the years that concern about environmental issues grows when the economy is chugging along and more growth is taking place and it wanes in interest when economic growth is slow. Environmental issues, including their close cousins farmland preservation and urban sprawl control, have diminished in importance over the past 3-4 years with the economy sputtering and the relatively weak support for environmental protection in Washington during the Bush Presidency.

Go here to read more about the Connecticut situation.