Re: "The Economic Benefits of Open Space"

[TommeY@aol.com]

Reponding to  Mr. Graham,
	The point is a good one, but the fact is that environmental 
conservation cannot be founded on (or at least not solely on) governmental 
mandates and governmentally funded programs.  Enlightened self interest has 
been one of the primary factors behind most successful conservation programs 
for many years.  (And for that matter, the concept is the same for all 
property owners -- if the area is more attractive, it will be more valuable.  
The owners in poorer and minority areas are less likely to have the 
wherewithal to undertake significant conservation projects, hence more 
governmentally funded conservation activities are needed (and in my 
experience offered) in poorer areas.)
	If you can speak of environmental justice in this context, it is the 
fact that the primary benefits of most types of conservation activities are 
"benefits for all"  (beach access, parks and protected areas, wildlife 
preservation, etc.)  The fact that the nearby landowners (whose voluntary or 
involuntary choices create the protected areas, etc,) benefit financially as 
well is the means for achieving the public benefit.

Tomme R. Young
UN Legal Consultant on Environmental and Conservation Legislation



In a message dated 5/19/99 1:16:25 PM Mexico Standard Time, 
"egraham"@ci.wilmington.de.us writes:

> t becomes increasingly apparent that one of the attendant impacts of
>  efforts to preserve open space is an increase in the value of land in other
>  existing uses. As our efforts to spur economic development succeed, those
>  who are existing land owners will find themselves the beneficiaries of
>  windfall profits and rents driven by government supported programs.
>  
>  What happened to "environmental justice.?