Longmont is an All-American City, an award we should all experience with pride. But Longmont's all-American status is more than an award. It is a microcosm of the nation as a whole with its dreams, hopes, and fears. Our choices will be influenced by forces and actions on a national, and indeed global, level. And our choices along with every other community in the country will influence our national future.

I'm reminded of the summary visions in Longmont's Open Space and Trails Plan. It reads: "Connecting our people with our natural resources, preserving our environment, defining our community, balancing our growth, treasuring our children's futures, protecting what we value." What a wonderful premise for the future of Longmont.

All too often there are those who would trample on our natural areas and wildlife habitats for the sake of questionable agendas. Here in Longmont, around the state, and throughout the nation some of the most environmentally valuable and sensitive land it repeatedly targeted for exploitation. Locally, this applies to Union Reservoir.

Union Reservoir serves many important purposes. It is a major repository for water for reuse as vital potable drinking water, irrigation and water exchange; and Longmont is to be commended for its foresight in purchasing the controlling interest.

Union Reservoir serves important recreational uses including swimming, picnicking, fishing and limited other activities. Thus far, wildlife seems to have adapted to this level of human activity. But planned exploitation of the area in Weld County will damage the environment for humans and severely threaten wildlife habitats.

There is the presumption that Union Reservoir will need to be expanded at some time in the future. The Longmont City Council needs to thoroughly reexamine the existing plans. It should search for the assumptions, written and unwritten, that are the foundation of those plans. Is the vision for Union Reservoir and the surrounding acreage reflected in those plans appropriate for Longmont's future needs, challenges, and values?

The plans for expansion as they now exist call for a 13' expansion of the Reservoir using berming and damming. At a recent city council meeting, Councilmember Levison pointed out that this would entail a 25' structure on the southern edge if the expansion does not inundate surrounding properties. It is my genuine belief that only a very few of the citizens of Longmont would endorse this approach.

I would like to offer an alternative vision. This vision assumes expansion of the Reservoir and the preservation of existing recreational activities, but rejects the unnatural, unsightly structures and urbanization that other plans have proposed.

I envision the Union Reservoir as a blend of low-impact district park and wildlife preserve. I envision the expansion inundating the surrounding acreage to maintain a natural environment. I envision not only the replacement of lost wetlands but the creation of additional wetlands. I envision the planting of large groves of cottonwoods to preserve and encourage the nesting and roosting of the bald eagle. I envision additional groves of trees native to Colorado and the Rockies in clusters throughout the surrounding area. I envision native flora to enhance the beauty of the area. I envision open space protected from urban lighting in order to enjoy clear skies and bright stars. I envision a multitude of trails for quiet communing with nature. I envision secluded areas for meditation and reflection. I envision large, unfragmented, diverse and complex habitats buffered from intensive human use that are able to support more species and more of them. I envision an environment with clean, fresh air. And I envision an environment that will be a wonderful place for Longmont's citizens and visitors alike to experience and enjoy. I hope you will embrace my vision.