Have Questions About Forests or Trees? Get Answers at MDP’s New Forest Planning Resource Webpage
Environment / Planning and Zoning
Have Questions About Forests or Trees? Get Answers at MDP’s New Forest Planning Resource Webpage

A Maryland Planning Blog article (2019-04-10) highlighted the Maryland Department of Planning's (MDP's) new Forest Planning Resource webpage, which provides useful tools and information about designating protected forest lands, establishing urban tree canopies, and protecting trees during the development process. The webpage was developed by MDP, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Sustainable Forestry Council based on requirements in the Forest Preservation Act of 2013 (HB 706). That legislation required the State provide…

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April 18, 2019
New Ellicott City Flood Scenarios Call for the Demolition of 4-6 Downtown Buildings
County News / Environment / Planning and Zoning
New Ellicott City Flood Scenarios Call for the Demolition of 4-6 Downtown Buildings

A Daily Record article (2019-04-17) reported that Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is reviewing five proposed scenarios to address the catastrophic flooding issues in Ellicott City. The scenarios will involve the demolition between four to six buildings on the historic town's Main Street. The article noted that the scenarios cost between $63.5 million and $175 million and would take between four to seven years to complete. The new scenarios, developed at Ball's request, call for fewer buildings…

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April 18, 2019
Learn About the New Phase 3 WIP at Harry Hughes Center Information Sessions
Agriculture / Environment / Planning and Zoning
Learn About the New Phase 3 WIP at Harry Hughes Center Information Sessions

The Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology is hosting three information sessions and one webinar on the release of Maryland's Phase 3 Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). The WIP details the actions that must be taken by the State and local governments to meet the 2025 nutrient pollution reduction goals under the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load. The sessions and webinar run from April to May 2019, and will include an overview of the draft…

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April 12, 2019
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning & Zoning
Agriculture / County News / General Assembly News / Planning and Zoning
2019 End of Session Wrap-Up: Planning & Zoning

This post summarizes the status of various planning and zoning bills that MACo took a position on during the 2019 Regular Session. Planning and zoning is an integral function of county governments, and an area that spurs a high level of interaction with residents and business owners. In its planning and zoning advocacy, MACo seeks to protect the ability of local governments - those closest to the people and with the most insight into local…

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April 11, 2019
Forest Legislation Update: What’s Budding for Spring & What Remains Dormant
Environment / Planning and Zoning
Forest Legislation Update: What’s Budding for Spring & What Remains Dormant

As we approach Sine Die and the end of the 2019 Session, here is a summary on the status of the various Forest Conservation Act (FCA) bills introduced this year. FCA reform has been a priority of the environmental community, particularly the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, for the last several years. House Bill 120/Senate Bill 203 would change Maryland's “No net loss of forest” goal. Under current goal, 40% of all land in Maryland must be…

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April 5, 2019
Fixing Food Deserts – Now There’s an App for That
Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning
Fixing Food Deserts – Now There’s an App for That

Areas with limited food options (commonly known as "food deserts") pose a challenge to local government planning and health departments.  A Route Fifty article (2019-03-28) highlighted one potential food distribution solution being used in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. The article described how the Allegheny County Housing Authority has partnered with  Pittsburgh-based nonprofit 412 Food Rescue to collect edible food that is either slightly flawed or just past its sell-by (but not expiration) date and distribute it for…

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April 5, 2019
MET 2019 Land Conservation Conference & Symposium Includes Special Focus on Counties
Agriculture / Environment / Planning and Zoning
MET 2019 Land Conservation Conference & Symposium Includes Special Focus on Counties

Registration is now open for the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) 2019 Land Conservation Conference and Symposium. This year's conference runs from May 16 (Thursday) through May 17 (Friday) at the Maritime Conference Center in Linthicum Heights. Friday is largely targeted towards counties and will include panels with local elected officials and county technical staff. Attendees can register for one or both days. From MET's webpage on the event: Each year, this Conference gathers the land…

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March 29, 2019
Preservation Maryland Hosting “Pop-up” Offices in Rural Counties
Agriculture / Planning and Zoning
Preservation Maryland Hosting “Pop-up” Offices in Rural Counties

A Preservation Maryland blog post (2019-03-12) announced this it will be setting up temporary "pop-up" offices in rural areas of the State. The offices are designed to easily allow government officials and members of the public to receive information about and discuss land preservation issues in their part of the state. The endeavor is being funded by the Rural Maryland Council. The pop-up offices will be open from May 3 through June 5, depending on…

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March 29, 2019
Leadership Academy Offers Free Climate Change Training to County Officials
Agriculture / Environment / Planning and Zoning
Leadership Academy Offers Free Climate Change Training to County Officials

A Bay Journal article (2019-03-20) recounted the history and current status of Maryland's innovative Climate Leadership Academy. The Academy, the first of its kind in the nation, offers training to state and local governments employees on planning and responding to climate change. While governments are the target audience, other groups are also able to participate. Educational sessions offered by the Academy vary in length and duration. The article stated that the creation of the Academy was announced during…

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March 29, 2019
Status of Solar Legislation: Sunny Days or Full Eclipse?
Agriculture / Environment / Planning and Zoning
Status of Solar Legislation: Sunny Days or Full Eclipse?

Solar development, particularly the siting of utility scale solar facilities that produce more than 2 Megawatts of power, remains an ongoing issue at both the state and county level. This article summarizes the status of seven different solar bills in the waning days of the 2019 Session. Status of Solar Legislation in the 2019 Session HB 532/SB 744 Protecting Natural Resources and Preserving Productive Farms - Commission on the Development of a Blueprint for Solar…

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March 22, 2019
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