To the editor:

I have spent the last few days considering the proposal to develop the area around the Lawrence airport into an industrial park. I have driven these back roads for over 30 years. Every few years, a large stretch of land north of the Highway 24-40 and East 1500 Road intersection is under water, sometimes for weeks. When there was previous discussion, maybe 20 years ago, of developing the land west of the airport for high-tech industry, my husband and I dubbed it “Silicon Swamp.” This land is crisscrossed with drainage canals and wetlands.

We now know that wetlands are not wastelands. They soak up rainfall and release it slowly, reducing flooding elsewhere. The wetlands around the airport are also beautiful and home to waterfowl and lotus plants.

Given that our society needs industry to produce what we consume, why not locate that industry where it will not increase flooding or pave over some of the best agricultural soil in the world? The Farmland Industries site seems a much better choice for a new industrial park, as it has already been damaged beyond use for agriculture or homes. The wetlands around the Lawrence airport could be developed as a different sort of resource, with boardwalks, an interpretive center, bird watching, etc.

The higher land around the airport should be protected as agricultural land because someday, perhaps not too far in the future, we may not be able, or want, to import our food from China or Chile. The Kaw Valley once grew a great deal of food beyond the current corn and soybeans, and I hope we don’t make it impossible to do so in the future.

Joy Lominska,

Lawrence