Candidates for County Commissioner on Environmental Issues

Posted by chris on October 19, 2010

The statements below were submitted by candidates for county commissioner in St. Mary’s County in response to an invitation from the Potomac River Association. Commissioner

On Critical Areas regulation:

“The Critical Area Regulations should be reviewed periodically to protect the Bay wildlife and tributaries. As conditions change then regulations should be made more strict or less strict.”
–Mary Washington

On Global Climate Change:

“Deforestation, agriculture and industrial practices contribute to global changes.”
–Mary Washington

On control inspection and enforcement of stormwater controls:

“According to 4-206 of the Environment Article, ACM, this program should be reviewed every three years. Citizen input and public hearing.”
–Mary Washington

“Additional staff may be required to adequately support inspection and enforcement of storm water control measures either from the state and/or county.”
–Elfreda Mathis

“Stormwater run off has received attention recently with the new state regulations. I will look to grow in the development districts….minimizing sprawl and allowing for pedestrian and bicycle routes. New ways of “going up instead of out” may be in our future.”
–Arthur Shepherd

On the Board of Appeals and the granting of variances:

“Variance may be granted under 77.6 if there are exceptional conditions/circumstances. I do not have the data on how many variances have been granted but would be willing to investigate.”
–Mary Washington

“We must accept the fact that we live on a peninsula with a high water table. Development and variance decisions must consider our fragile environment and the productive livability of people in certain areas. Variances should be considered on a case by case basis to be guided by the topography of the land and the composition of the soil. “
–Elfreda Mathis

“The Board of Appeals makes decisions on a “case by case” basis. I’m sure some cases reflect an adversarial position to environmental protection. Guidelines, regulations, and laws should direct their decision. Not too well informed of their history. Good people I’m sure.”
–Arthur Shepherd

On Governor O’Malley’s oyster restoration program:

“We need to rebuild our oyster population and have a public fishery that is scientifically based.”
–Mary Washington

“The restoration plan started under Gov. Erlich and identified all parts of the St. Mary’s River as a sanctuary. The plan was modified under Gov. O’ Malley. Oysters are natural filters for the bay and rivers. Due to the current health of the rivers it is necessary to have a period of time for restoration It may be about a period of 3 years or more to document the evidence of restoration. This will in the long term impact the healthy production of oysters in other areas. I know that watermen support a healthy bay and rivers. We also need sustainable efforts to reduce pollution. Healthy conditions are necessary for the productive viability of the water from which we get our food sources. I am concerned about the impact to family watermen who will lose income while the restoration efforts take effect. I would support some level of state compensation during the restoration period for those affected watermen.”
–Elfreda Mathis

On the delay or prevention of development plans due to the presence of endangered species:

“If we follow St. Mary’s County Comprehensive Plan then we must adhere to chapter 5.”
–Mary Washington

We must do everything in our power to protect and conserve wildlife so they will not become extinct.”
–Mary Washington

“Nature has determined an ecological balance. Clear evidence of anything that would disturb the ecological balance must be offered. Part of Indian Bridge Road continues to be most suitable for farmland. While other parts on higher ground may be suitable for small development. The problem is informing homeowners about potential hazards when living in low lying areas such as: flooding, mold, and mildew, etc. There are always problem/solution opportunities when decisions affect the natural order of the food chain and the livability of people and animals together.”
–Elfreda Mathis

“It is the goal of man to live in harmony with each other and our environment. The rights of individual property owners must always be respected in a democracy. Informed decisions of property owners must be based on knowledge of environmentally sensitive areas, environmental conflicts, regulations and issues affecting the livability in the area and the possibility of unintended consequences.”
–Elfreda Mathis

On green building standards:

“We must become more proactive in building green, environmentally-friendly structures.”
–Mary Washington

“When possible I believe new facilities should be designed towards green standards.”
–Arthur Shepherd

On environmental issues generally:

“Undoubtedly we are witnessing a changing environment that is being argued by scientists and laymen worldwide. As a County Commissioner candidate I think it is a requirement to enhance and protect our rural landscape from overdevelopment, yet simultaneously balance the needs of our community.

AS A CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION, SIERRA CLUB, AND ST. MARY’S RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION MEMBER, AND POTENTIAL FUTURE COMMISSIONER, I HAVE MANY GOALS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY’S CHARACTER AS RURAL AS WE CAN; YET, I UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN’T STOP THE CONTINUUM OF GROWTH. GROWTH NEEDS TO BE BALANCED AND I WILL NOT BE AN ADVOCATE FOR GROWTH PURELY FOR GROWTH’S SAKE.

One of my major concerns is the development of the Lexington Park development district and its effects on the St. Mary’s River watershed. This watershed is the only drainage basin we can truly call our own and one that we have the ability to protect.

There is much we can do to support environmental initiatives without having to create layers of competing bureaucracies that conflict and contradict each other in interpretation and implementation. Our citizens are penalized by such actions, yet they pay the bills.

IF ELECTED, SOME OF MY EARLY PRIORITIES WOULD INCLUDE ATTEMPTING TO FIND MORE WAYS TO ENCOURAGE RECYCLING. TO ME, IT IS THE SIMPLEST MOST COST-EFFECTIVE FIRST STEP THAT WE CAN ALL DO AS CITIZENS OF ST. MARY’S COUNTY TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY. I WOULD BE A PROPONENT OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD USE RENEWABLE ENERGY ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS SOLAR OR WIND, AND POSSIBLY TRY TO GET ENERGY TAX CREDITS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR ITS USE. FINALLY, I AM A STRONG PROPONENT OF LEED CERTIFIED CONSTRUCTION AND WOULD ENCOURAGE THIS FOR NOT ONLY PUBLICALLY FUNDED PROJECTS, BUT I ALSO ENCOURAGE IT FOR PRIVATE DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL. WITHIN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, I HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF A PRIVATE, NEW CONSTRUCTION FACILITY THAT WILL MEET THE LEED SILVER CERTIFICATION STANDARDS.”
–Todd Morgan

“The number one choice for cleaning up the Bay is restoring the oyster population. Much of the environmental regulations are inconsequential if we cannot naturally filter the water.

The debate on Global Warming is a smokescreen for dividing what could be a unified citizenry regarding clean efficient electric vehicles. The technology exists today for 300 mile per charge high performance EVs. Both sides of Congress are determined to keep this technology on the shelf to assist the fossil fuel industry.

Presently, economic survival is superceding environmental concerns. It makes nosense to have a nice to live if you cannot afford to live there.”
–Larry Jarboe

“Our local environment should be protected. By protecting nature we most often are protecting people and securing our future.

Environmental issues quite often are better managed when citizens are educated on the results of their actions….positive or environmentally damaging. If elected I will lead by example and use my leadership to educate at a consistent and rapid rate. Individuals need to know what they can and should not do to enhance and protect the environment such as: Recycle, utilize re-usable bags (minimizing trash), develop rain gardens, walk and bike, minimize watering lawns and fertilizing, minimize green house emissions

The Chesapeake Bay is our treasure. It must be protected. I also know that our builders and developers need to be positioned to create jobs and claim the most from their property assets. I will seek the best options… with my eye on the Chesapeake Bay.”
–Arthur Shepherd