MY TURN: Vote with prairie, aquifer in mind
MY TURN: Vote with prairie, aquifer in mind Coeur d'Alene Press
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The Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Coeur d’Alene
Introduction
Our area was settled years ago by miners, loggers, grass and livestock farmers, and millwrights after centuries of tribal stewardship. Our bounty of natural resources appeared to be bottomless.
Yet here we are 150 years later, and the bounty is dwindling faster than any of the settlers could have imagined. We are not good stewards for these times ahead and need to re-engage our leadership.
We share our aquifer with eastern Washington, and the gold rush is on to preserve and protect the now endangered resource for all business and survival of our way of life.
The Challenge of Water Resources
The grass and cattle farmers are aging out and either hoping to pass on the family farm or sell off acreage to the highest bidder. It is their right to do so, especially when the cost to water grass, or feed and breed livestock, no longer pencils out. We, the current and future citizens, cannot expect altruism by these landowners to save our prairie.
We see the extension of sewers and water to serve multiple apartment complexes collaring the farms and pinching into the fields in rapid high-density builds. The other route is the picket fenced 2-acre houses with septic tanks leaching into the aquifer with unaudited water usage that hits the aquifer like armies of ants picking the bones.
Potable water is the world’s next gold. Less rainfall or snow pack, more users, less aquifer recharge.
Sustainable Solutions
Many recent arrivals here left states where water was not their own, costs increased, and availability was vanishing. Kootenai County should see restrictions, drought-tolerant vegetation, and water awareness instead of requiring lawns and high water-use plantings. Shade trees, native plants, and bee and bird pollinators are all at risk without serious reset and intentional advocacy.
Many detractors criticize the apartments springing up everywhere. The most efficient use of land, sewer, and water is compressed into these builds. There is more permeable land left when you go up rather than sprawl out.
When we compress high-end housing into two- or three-story boxes surrounded by asphalt, concrete, and black roofing, we also fail to serve the aquifer. Runoff from cars, roofing, and hardscape all go to our sewer system rather than percolate into the soil to be scrubbed and fed back into the aquifer.
If we condense our building envelopes into condominiums and townhouses with dedicated green spaces and broad tree canopies, we get the housing we need in harmony with nature and the aquifer.
Inclusive Housing Development
Kootenai County and its cities have saturated the top end of housing at Gozzer, Blackrock, Riverstone, and seen a much-needed growth in multifamily rental apartments. Totally passed over and ignored is the middle of the market — the first-time buyers, young professional couples wanting to get a foot into the door of homeownership, the fixed income retiree, the downsizing homeowner, the end-of-career manager wanting to live in our area and keep another property.
The broadest swath of our taxpaying populace has been totally excluded and ignored. This should be our next focus — keep all our generations here and help our aquifer and green natural assets while filling a massive void in the market.
Conclusion
I urge voters to assess the new slate of representatives and politicians as to their aerial view of our community past highways, crime, and an unfettered loss of trees, prairie, and an aquifer at risk.
Lynn Fleming is a Coeur d’Alene resident.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the issues related to the dwindling natural resources, specifically the aquifer, in the area. It also highlights the need for sustainable development and responsible consumption. These issues are connected to the SDGs mentioned above.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
- SDG 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
- SDG 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
The article emphasizes the need to protect and preserve the aquifer as a vital water resource. It also mentions the importance of sustainable land use and responsible water consumption. These targets align with the specific SDGs mentioned above.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Water-use efficiency: The article mentions the cost to water grass, feed and breed livestock, and the need for unaudited water usage. Monitoring and reducing water consumption in these areas can be used as an indicator.
- Access to safe and affordable housing: The article discusses the need for housing options for different segments of the population, such as first-time buyers, young professional couples, and retirees. Increasing the availability of affordable housing can be used as an indicator.
- Sustainable management of natural resources: The article highlights the importance of responsible land use, including the use of native plants, shade trees, and green spaces. Monitoring land development practices and promoting sustainable land management can be used as an indicator.
- Conservation of freshwater ecosystems: The article mentions the need to ensure the conservation and restoration of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. Monitoring the health and biodiversity of these ecosystems can be used as an indicator.
The indicators mentioned above can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets under the relevant SDGs.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. | – Monitoring and reducing water consumption in agriculture and livestock farming. – Ensuring sustainable withdrawals from the aquifer. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. | – Increasing the availability of affordable housing options for different segments of the population. – Upgrading slums and improving basic services. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. | – Monitoring land development practices and promoting sustainable land use. – Encouraging responsible water consumption and efficient use of resources. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | – Monitoring the health and biodiversity of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. – Implementing conservation and restoration measures. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: cdapress.com
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