State Rep. Rob North in his March 6 “Legislative review” incorrectly equates phosphorous with dirt. Phosphorous is one of the essential building blocks of all matter. It is one of the 118 elements of the periodic table we all learned about in high school chemistry/science class. Other examples are magnesium, sulfur, potassium, gold, silver, uranium and lead.

The words dirt and soil are more often used interchangeably. In fact, this is the first time I have seen anyone equate phosphorous and dirt as the same. Soil [dirt] is made up of organic matter, minerals, water and air. One of those minerals is phosphorous.

The average phosphorous content of Addison County clay soil [dirt] is 0.065%. Not very much. So, to get a kg [kilogram] of phosphorous out of soil [dirt] into the water system you need to wash 1,538 kg [3,385 lbs.] of soil [dirt] into the water. This is  why the 3-acre rule is so important. Because it’s that size of impervious development where massive quantities of storm water runoff, if not properly contained, can overwhelm local brooks and streams. Stream banks wash out carrying all that phosphorous containing soil into the lake.

A pound of phosphorous will support the growth of 500 lbs. of algae, 500 times its weight. Just to clarify another of Mr. North’s incorrect points, Rutland is very closely connected to the lake by Otter Creek. And the Rutland Fair site is adjacent to and drains into a wetland and an already compromised brook. Perhaps it would be better if the Rutland fair considered moving to a better site.

This portion of the clean water law was designed to make sure that large development projects don’t ignore storm water runoff, stream overflow and lake pollution. Big box stores with their acres of roof and big asphalt parking lots are a perfect example of where the most damage can come from if water runoff is not properly contained and controlled. Oh, that’s right, Walmart is going to be building a new super store in Rutland…interesting.

I am also curious why Mr. North did not use the Addison County Fair and Field Days site [in his district] as his example. The directors of Field Days have done an excellent job managing the Fair and fairgrounds. And while there will be expenses, they appear to be in a good place to handle them. I do agree with Mr. North that it is unfortunate that our fairgrounds are subject to the 3-acre rule the same as large development. It would seem to me that a bill that would provide state financial assistance to the fairgrounds that are on good financial ground and environmental ground, to make the fixes needed might be an adequate solution. But eliminating the 3-acre law entirely seems like overkill.

I do not think that excusing big box stores and big businesses from paying their fair share of keeping our state safe and attractive to residents and visitors alike is a smart idea.

And finally, I encourage Mr. North and others to consider contributing what they can to the Addison County Fair and Field Days capital campaign. See their website at www.addisoncountyfielddays.com.

Gardner Merriam

New Haven