We are destroying the ‘lungs of the earth,’ the natural filters that keep our communities and our families healthy. Development is cutting down about 2,000 acres of forest a year in Maryland, this despite a state policy that says we should be dramatically increasing our tree canopy. The loss of … Continue reading
Montgomery Parks has a beautiful park planned for the Willett Branch in the Westbard Sector. The residents of the Housing Opportunity Commission’s Westwood Tower Apartments will be big winners with this park, enjoying the benefits of nature, a sparkling restored creek, pedestrian trails that connect to the Capital Crescent Trail … Continue reading
Strong public transit that reduces car use and urban sprawl is an essential part of protecting our region’s land and water. But when new transit infrastructure is built, it must be done right. Right now, the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and the Maryland … Continue reading
ANS joined 16 other organizations, including the Stormwater Partners Network of Montgomery County (which ANS serves as Vice-Chair), in asking the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) to ensure that the process for issuing a new stormwater permit for Montgomery County is fair, open to the public, and results in … Continue reading
By ANS Conservation Director Eliza Cava Last week, ANS submitted a comment letter to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Maryland Department of the Environment on their combined environmental permits for the proposed Purple Line. If constructed, the Purple Line would come close to … Continue reading
The Chesapeake Bay Journal wrote about our letter to the Maryland Department of the Environment about the inadequacies in many of the counties’ plans for funding to prevent polluted runoff: The legislative compromise that resolved the controversy over Maryland’s unpopular “rain tax” is failing to live up to its promise, … Continue reading
As ANS’ Stormwater Consultant Bruce Gilmore described in his recent post, “How Are Maryland Counties Going to Pay to Fix Stormwater Pollution?“, it’s important that counties meet their responsibilities to manage stormwater under state and federal law. On October 11th Bruce attended a hearing of the Prince George’s County Council … Continue reading
By Bruce Gilmore, ANS Stormwater Advocacy Consultant In 2012 Maryland passed a first-of-its kind law enacting a new stormwater charge to manage stormwater pollution, improve water quality, and reduce flooding, etc. Unfortunately, last year the legislature overturned the statewide charge, but counties are still required to reduce the pollution. How … Continue reading
