Putting the life back in science fiction

…Are actually the sounds of me silently cursing a bunch of developers. I’m volunteering for an environmental group, reviewing some environmental impact statements that are due in a few weeks. Sigh. They’re all simply lying on the biological parts of their statements. The only reason they get away with it is that the environmental community is spread too thin to call all the idiots on their bad projects.

One of these steaming piles is a big, public project. If they had just followed the Endangered Species Act and other relevant environmental laws, it would probably have been cheaper than what they’re going to end up spending on the lawyers (assuming someone sues, which is likely). It would also probably be designed better. And your standard biologist costs bills at 20% of your standard lawyer.

The lesson for the business community is to get the biologists, archeologists, and other experts in at the initial design phase, rather than hiring some conslutant to greenwash a bad design after all the major design decisions are made. I much prefer helping a developer design a cost-effective green community, rather than doing these reviews. It’s fun to save client money and the environment at the same time.

Yes, following the law is cheaper and results in better projects. Amazing, isn’t it?

Blogging will resume after I finish this mess.