Stormwater Partners Network

Actually, this is an entry for the Build a Better Burb contest in New York to envision a retrofitting of suburban Long Island, Long Island Radically Rezoned.  In the conception of architect Tobias Holler and his team, 50% of the land is designated as open space, 8% as high density agriculture, 35.4% as suburban fabric, and 6.6% as downtown areas.  The forested areas have a high degree of connectivity.

LIRR Long Island Radically Rezoned from LIRR on Vimeo.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a coupon worth $25 towards the purchase of one tree with retail value of $50 or more.  The coupon is valid for trees listed on the Marylanders Plant Trees Recommended Tree List, which is at  www.trees.maryland.gov/pickatree.asp.  

You may remember that last December, the Stormwater Partners sent a letter to Governor O’Malley that noted that the Intercounty Connector has resulted in a net loss of 320 acres of forest in the Anacostia Watershed, despite Maryland’s pledge in the 2001 Anacostia Restoration Agreement to protect and expand forests in the Anacostia.   The Stormwater Partners’ letter asks for the State’s plan to make up for the 320 acre deficit of forest it has caused, in addition to beginning to actively protect and expand the Anacostia Watershed’s forests.

I have gotten my hands on a scan of the Governor’s reply to the Stormwater Partner’s letter.  It seems either to be an expression of contempt, or some sort of mistake.  The Governor’s reply makes no mention about anything related to Anacostia forests, but instead seems to be some sort of form letter that notes the challenges facing Maryland with the global economic downturn.   I have to hope that the State sent out the wrong letter by mistake.

The Montgomery County Water Quality Advisory Group, a group of diverse citizens representing business, education, environmental, and other communities charged with advising the County on water quality issues, has released its 2009 annual report to the County Executive.

Some of the recommendations include:

• Water Quality Protection Charge- provide incentives for homeowners and business owners to participate directly in water quality improvements; restructuring exemptions from the charge; and, re-examining whether the charge might be considered a fee so that Federal and State properties pay for their water quality impacts.  (The Group had previously written a separate letter to the Executive about the Charge).
• The average citizen of the County is being asked to pay more for resources he or she often does not appreciate or fully understand.  The County should take the lead in developing an interpretative signage plan for its water quality environment.
• Restore the $247,000 cut being made to the County Department of Transportation street tree planting budget. The Anacostia Watershed Forest Management and Protection Strategy has noted the importance of trees not only for water and air quality, but also their connection with property values, shade, temperature, crime reduction, noise reduction, carbon sequestration, aesthetic and recreational values, and other benefits.  Cutting the street tree budget is short sighted.

Audubon Naturalist Society - Woodend
6:30 pm - 7:00 pm social time
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm meeting

Main topic:

* Stormwater Partners’ Comments on DEP’s Watershed Implementation Plans for Montgomery’s Stormwater Permit

Some of the other topics:
* Forest Conservation Law reform update

* Outreach planning and the March meeting.