The decisions of the Sussex County commissions to rezone properties on Route 24 from agricultural to commercial will have detrimental effects on the fabric of the Lewes and Rehoboth communities. Placing trust in commercial developers to safeguard our community’s water source is reminiscent of a significant costly mistake in California. It would be prudent for the commissioners to consider the Anderson et al. v. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. case; the Flint, Mich., water scandal of 2014; and the ongoing challenges related to water supply and current contamination and litigation in Trenton, N.J.
From a public safety and environmental standpoint, an area of such critical importance as this wellhead and water source for Rehoboth should be safeguarded and protected, rather than paved over. Potentially harmful and known carcinogenic substances could accumulate in storm drainage basins only 150 feet away. Most communities prioritize the well-being of their citizens and take significant measures to safeguard water sources from accidental incidents and malicious actions. This land should be acquired by the county, secured, and development on the land should be subject to stringent regulations for community purposes to effectively ensure the safety of Rehoboth’s water source and the surrounding water table for many other Sussex County residents.
In my opinion, when an entire community’s water source is in question, doing the bare minimum is courting potential disaster.
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