Table 2,,
Growth-Related Environmental Issues and Impacts,,
Growth issue,Environmental issue,Potential impacts
Haphazard expansion,Water runoff,"Increased pollution of streams, rivers, and marine environments"
of suburban,,Increased flooding
communities,,Loss of biodiversity in streams
,,Soil erosion
,,Decreased recharge of aquifers
,,Lower drinking water quality
Poor land-use,Consumption of,Loss of contiguous green spaces
planning,open spaces,Loss of natural habitats for native species
,,Loss of wetlands
,,Fragmentation and loss of forestland
,,Increased flooding
,,Increased mountain mudslides and slope collapses
,,"Increased prevalence of non-native, invasive species"
,,Health impacts from proximity to wild animals and confined-animal feeding 
,,  operations
,,Loss of green infrastructure for metropolitan areas
,,Less access to recreation areas
,,Higher temperatures or “heat islands” in metropolitan areas
,,Reduced plant photosynthesis
Traffic congestion,Air pollution,Increased smog and other pollutants
,,"Increased health impacts, such as asthma"
,,Noncompliance with federal standards and limits on new road construction
,Public safety,Increased response times for fires and medical emergencies
,,Road rage
,Energy use,Wasted petroleum
Urban depopulation ,Contaminated land ,Increased human exposure to toxic substances
and decay,and buildings,
,Public,"Decreased maintenance and greater service interruptions for water, sewer,"
,infrastructure,"  road repair, and waste disposal "
"SOURCE: Adapted from National Governors’ Association, Growing Pains: Quality of Life in the New Economy, 2000, available at http://www.nga.org/Releases/"
"PR-05June2000Growth.asp, as of May 2001. "