To the Editor:

I am astounded that the Highlands Council staff has finally released a regional build out analysis, just three weeks prior to the anticipated adoption of its regional master plan.

Since the build out shows the Highlands will run short of water even if all 88 communities comply, it proves that the plan is not restrictive enough.

To have planned properly, this study should have been the first order of business, not the last. It's highly unlikely that all 88 Highlands towns will choose to adopt the plan, so water shortages are likely to be even more severe than this analysis suggests.

And the council's policy allowing additional building in water-starved areas will only make the problem worse.

On a regional level, the analysis fails to consider a growing urban demand -- where increased development and redevelopment is being encouraged -- further straining and depleting Highlands' water supplies.

Had this build out analysis been used initially, a very different master plan would have resulted; one that protects our water supply and leaves adequate resources for the future.

It's extremely disappointing that the council's staff, entrusted with protecting Highlands' water through scientific study, has instead bowed to development pressure and produced a plan that so completely misses the Highlands Act's goal to "preserve, enhance and restore" our vital water resources.

The Highlands Council must reject this work in progress and demand a plan that protects our water supply for the long term.

ROBIN O'HEARN
Executive Director
Skylands CLEAN, Inc.
Ringwood