Dave Rollo

In Carbon County, Pennsylvania, the conservation ethic runs deep. It manifests in the county’s comprehensive plan, its “return on environment” analysis, and most recently, a fund to preserve open space, which voters overwhelmingly supported.

In Monroe County, a decision against expanding Bloomington would be a costly disappointment for growth advocates. However, it would align the city with the aspirations laid out in its comprehensive plan, toward a steady-state future.

Citizens have effectively resisted these ongoing risks—pushing back against Big Ag and mining. Their policies and plans serve as a model for the rest of the state. They demonstrate what a small number of determined citizens can do to safeguard their county.

Wetland restoration and conservation, in combination with agricultural stakeholder best management practices, is a promising model for success.

Tompkins County plays a crucial role in establishing a systems approach to the social, economic, and environmental challenges of the region. It serves as the region’s sustainability hub, from which activities, planning, and policies radiate into surrounding counties like the spokes of a wheel.

Bayfield County has been refreshingly free of growth controversies and displays key attributes that approach the characteristics of  a steady-state county.