To the editor:

Lawrence and Douglas County are taking positive steps toward improved environmental management: pending adoption of floodplain regulations by the city; consideration by the county commissioners of adopting floodplain regulations in sensitive or flood-prone areas in the county; discussions by the planning commission to manage growth in the unincorporated areas of the county; and possible establishment of a more formalized ECO2 committee.

If all of these groups would have strategic communications about long-range vision planning among themselves, the timely convergence of these efforts could present a singular opportunity to incorporate a geographic- and watershed-based approach into the comprehensive plan for Douglas County. It could provide for both economic opportunities and natural resource protection. A shared and mutually supported vision has greater focus.

Debra Baker,

Lawrence