Ridgetop development

our mountain regions are unique and beautiful places. we must preserve them for future generations.
one of the most serious threats to our mountains is ridgetop development. large housing
developments built on steep slopes and along mountain ridges are unsightly. and they adversely
affect the scenic views that draw tourists to our region each year. who wants to drive to the mountains
to see not the lovely tree-covered outline of the gently sloping mountain ridges against the sky, but
rows of houses jutting from the ridges and slopes with little or no tree cover between them? with
tourism as the biggest industry in our area, maintaining our scenic ridgelines is crucial to continued
economic success here.

ridgetop development not only detracts from scenic mountain views and threatens our area’s top
industry, it also harms the environment. stripping large areas to create multiple building sites removes
the trees and other plants. these resources provide natural erosion barriers on steep slopes. large
housing developments on ridges often increase erosion and runoff into streams and rivers. the
resulting influx of silt and pollutants degrades the waters. this degradation, in turn, harms the habitats
of many native species of insects, fish, and other water animals. habitat loss occurs on the slopes,
too, as lawns replace native plants. and nonnative species are introduced for landscaping large areas
of previously undisturbed land.

ridgetop development poses a potential threat to people living downslope as well as to people living
in the developments themselves. the grading and ground removal necessary in any steep-slope
building project can seriously undermine the integrity of the slope, increasing the possibility for
catastrophic landslides. particularly in stormy conditions, the weakened slopes can collapse, causing
damage to property, danger to humans, and potentially severe environmental problems.

the stunning views and tree-covered slopes that characterize our mountain region are not just a
pleasure to experience. they are an economic necessity. permanent damage is being done to the
very mountains that provide quality of life for our citizens and the economic means to maintain that life.
ridgetop development must be stopped while thoughtful, effective measures are put in place to
restrict future development. concerned citizens must take a stand and urge our city council to impose
a ban followed by much stricter limits on ridgetop development.

which argument does the author use to support his or her position?
a. large housing developments built on the mountains attract tourists to the region, boosting the economy.
b. the citizens have urged the city council to encourage the development of large housing complexes on the mountains.
c. the development poses a serious threat to the lives of people living downslope and to people living in the developments themselves.
d. large housing developments built on steep slopes and along mountain ridges add to the scenic beauty of the region.