Need to protect water qualtiy

The critical issue in the Whitefish Critical Areas Ordinance is that the bottom line of this new law is to protect the quality of our water.

Whether we've lived here for a short time or for generations, the water quality is still the main issue for all of us.

History has shown that water issues are the key to sustainable communities. When the water quality fails, the community fails.

I know that it seems like bad water is something that happens elsewhere and not here. Now however, we have just learned our beloved Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park is suffering from past over development.

Back in the good ol' days, no one thought building on the lakeshore would hurt anything or anyone. But it has happened.

The best way to protect property values is to make sure that they have good water. Over development along waterways and wetlands is a short-term economic gain but a losing gamble in the long run.

I don't think we need to gamble with our quality of life in Whitefish. I encourage the citizens of Whitefish to support the city council in its pursuit to protect the quality of our lakes, streams, creeks, watersheds, wells and wetlands.

Richard Smith

Whitefish