Sunday, February 5, 2012
Posted by chris on June 9, 2009
Survey Categories:
Critical Area Concerns • Low Impact & Sustainable Development
Climate Change • Pollution of Waterways • Environmental Education
Protect & Restore Native Species
Posted by chris on February 17, 2009
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) has just released “Farms for the Future: Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission 2009 Report,” a comprehensive account of the commission’s multi-pronged strategy to support local farmers as they transition away from tobacco into sustainable, economically viable agricultural alternatives.
The report outlines the creation of the commission, which was established in 2000 (in conjunction with Maryland’s Tobacco Transition Program), to support transitioning farmers and promote agricultural land preservation.
“We are proud to say that as of 2009, SMADC has aided many more than the original 900 former tobacco farms and helped preserve more than 22,000 acres of agricultural land, forests and wetlands in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties, the state’s main tobacco transition region,” said Dr. Christine L. Bergmark, executive director of SMADC. “This report examines what we have accomplished so far, and gives some insight on what remains to be done. We hope it may even serve as a roadmap to other areas facing these same challenges.” WAIT! There is more to read… read on »
Posted by chris on February 15, 2009
“Opportunities To Improve Environmental Protection In The Critical Area Of Saint Mary’s County”
Babcock, Jason. “Report calls pollution protection inadequate along water’s edge.” The Enterprise. 4 January 2008. http://somdnews.com/stories/010408/entetop171902_32082.shtml.
Staff Reports. “Stormwater Tactics Called Flawed.” Washington Post. 3 January 2008. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/01/AR2008010101997.html.
Report Summary:
The Potomac River Association retained Community & Environmental Defense Services(CEDS) to evaluate major development projects approved for sites in the Chesapeake BayCritical Area of Saint Mary’s County between 2002 and 2005. The Association’s goal was to identify opportunities to improve the level of protection afforded the fish, wildlife, and human uses associated with the critical area.
The study designed by CEDS to meet the Association’s goal called for a thorough examination of approximately ten critical area projects. After completing a review of project files compiled by two County agencies – Department of Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM) and the Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPWT) – an initial visit was scheduled to the project sites. The purpose of this first visit was to verify that each project had been completed, determine stormwater facilities and other features were accessible from public areas, and to get a feel for likely opportunities to enhance environmental protection.
During the initial visit on October 19th the Association and CEDS found that the stormwater facilities at three of four sites had been poorly maintained and were in a condition precluding prevention of pollution and other environmental impacts. The Association directed CEDS to halt all other work on the project except that necessary to:
CEDS reported the failing facilities to the Department of Land Use & Growth Management on October 20th. As of the date of this report, we have not heard the results of the Department’s inspections. These results and subsequent discussions with Department officials should reveal the causes of the maintenance deficiencies. This information should then allow CEDS to draft recommendations for how the Association can support the County in improving this critically important quality of life protection program.
The 379+ existing stormwater facilities drain about 4,000 acres or 11% of the developed portions of Saint Mary’s County. To determine the extent of the maintenance deficiencies the Association directed CEDS to develop a program to train volunteers in how to assess the condition of a stormwater facility. The Association has set the goal of conducting the first volunteer recruitment drive and training session next Spring, 2008.
