INTRODUCTION


 Lee County (Fig. 1), like many areas through-
out this country and around the globe, is faced
with economic, ecologic, and energetic uncertain-
ties. The uncertainties are so closely related
that it is very difficult to untangle the causes
and effects of many current problems. Local
areas can no longer function separate from these .
global and national uncertainties. The county has
become dependent on the exchange of food, fuel,
and fiber with other regions. Local wellbeing
depends on national and global economics. Con-
sequently decision-making and planning must take
into account ecologic, economic, and energetic IB
thinking on the national, state, and local levels. 'L -D

 Some of the current problems are: What can be
 done about the decay of our cities? How many ---.
 people can Lee County accommodate and still retain
 the high resident values it now has? Is there a LEE
 way to prevent the loss of good agricultural lands
 during the expansion of our cities? Can we provide ---
 adequate services, jobs, and quality of life to all
 citizens? Will population growth continue to
 rise? Will we find adequate supplies of energy?
 What kind of life style will follow if energy costs
 continue to rise? Table 1 presents a broad list of STUDYAREAOFTHE
 current problems. SOUTH FLORIA STUDY

 Growth and Energy

 Ths list of problems in Table 1 are all as- FIGURE 1. Lee County and the Surrounding South Florida Region.
 sociated directly or indirectly with population
 growth which is based on expanding energy.
 Through 1973 Americans consumed more per capital
 than the year before. Thus, while the population
 of an area such as Lee County may have increased goods and services consumed by the population
 by 6 percent in a year, the demand for total may have risen by 8 or 9%.