Winton: Castner Range monument brings many benefits
Author: Scott Winton
From: El Paso Times
Winton Homes recognizes that a healthy environment makes for a healthy city and people want to live in healthy cities. Much of Texan identity can be attributed to the state’s diverse landscape.
El Paso is diligently working to attract new businesses to the region and part of that appeal is the wealth of outdoor activities. A Castner Range National Monument within the city limits would be a major attraction to businesses thinking of setting up shop in the Sun City.
Research on the economic contribution of national monuments in the West created in the last generation found that adjacent economies grew, adding new jobs, and per capita income increased, in real terms, in every case after the creation of these national monuments.
Simultaneously, within the last five years, 88 percent of Texas experienced an exceptional drought. While the drought conditions have eased for many of us, the drought of 2010-2015 was the second worst in the history of our state. And scientists have warned us that frequent droughts may become a permanent part of our lives.
Nothing is more important for our lives – and livelihoods – than having clean water to drink. Conserving land will ensure that more of the precious little water that falls will soak into the ground and our aquifers, replenishing our water supply…
