The NY Times has reported on social conflict emerging in rural areas over natural gas development.
This situation sounds like a replay of the hog issue here in Manitoba. I have also seen this story play out in wind energy development.
The common feature I have observed is the as more people in an area earn income from sources other than natural resources, they tend to increase their opposition to development (including tourism assets).
As a small farmer, I do not like to be perceived as one of these NIMBY objectors. From my perspective, there is no reason why I cannot live in harmony with natural resource enterprises like oil, gas, mineral or intense ag production operations. Indeed, I would be at the front of the line to work with these types of companies as long as they respect my need to live and make a living from my land.
