A major manufacturing firm wants to open in your rural town. Your town currently has a population of fewer than five thousand people. Much of its land is undeveloped and heavily forested. The firm has submitted a proposal to clear a three-mile tract of land on which to build the plant. The town council is considering the proposal and is concerned about the consequences of clearing so much forest land to make room for industry. What concerns are they likely to have?
a: Increased biodiversity
b: water runoff
c: reduced precipitation
d: increased pollution
e: soil erosion