It is a county in transition. Beyond certain thresholds, these trends become counterproductive, even in Cattaraugus County. They can destroy the very land base and rural atmosphere that attracted people here in the first place. Yet there is no overall plan or sense of direction. There is no public strategy or process for guiding land use decision making in Cattaraugus County.
Problems usually become apparent after decisions have been made.
The best time to influence, guide or redesign such decisions is before they are made, not after. A balance is therefore needed. Cattaraugus County is not looking for decline, nor is it seeking unbridled development that destroys an established way of life along with the environment. Because of changing times and new development trends since 1977, the Cattaraugus County Planning Board has initiated, beginning in 1991, a new planning process at the county level that has included eight major community forums, four focus groups, a countywide survey on goals and values and several major studies on highway corridors, land use and infrastructure and park development. The proposed County Park is strategically located in a portion of the county where no large recreational facilities exist.