By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@thecitizennews.com

Fayette County's natural resources should be protected from the effects of rapid population growth as much as possible, says planning director Chris Venice.

The Planning Department and the county Planning Commission have begun work on a new chapter for the land use plan, detailing how growth and development should be controlled to have the least impact on soil, water and air.

State law requires an environmental chapter be developed for the county's comprehensive plan next year, and if approved, the new land use plan chapter can be inserted into the comprehensive plan to meet that requirement, Venice said.

Reducing soil erosion, sedimentation of streams and lakes, flooding and contamination of air and water will be among the aims of the new chapter. A rough draft is available in the county planning office.