Forested streamside buffers are critical to protecting water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Also called riparian buffers, they help control stormwater erosion, decrease pollution and provide wildlife habitat. Minimal buffer size should be at least 100 feet on each side of a stream or river. (Photo Credit: Carol Falk). Photo by Carol Falk
Find out about RainScapes Rewards rebate program including native plants, with maximum $7,500 rebate for residential properties.
WMCCA Meeting at the Potomac Community Center
NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 – 7:15 p.m.
SPEAKER: Ann English, Program Manager for DEP RainScapes Program
This past summer, many of us experienced the damaging effects of uncontrolled stormwater on our personal properties. Damage from stormwater extended to our public infrastructure (think roads and bridges) and natural areas (washed out and degraded stream valleys). One way we all can help is by installing a RainScape. A RainScape is a landscape or design technique that helps reduce stormwater runoff from individual properties. Our speaker, Ann English, PLA, is the Program Manager for the Department of Environmental Protection’s RainScapes Program. This program offers education and rebates for qualified RainScapes projects which reduce runoff voluntarily from private property. Native plants add further ecological benefit to the onsite solutions offered using a RainScapes approach. She will bring information on the RainScapes Rewards rebate program including easy native plants, RainScapes Rewards Rebate amounts (now a maximum of $7,500 for residential properties), and how to apply to do a project. Detailed information can be found at:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/water/rainscapes/
As always, the public is welcome to attend.
President’s Letter
by Susanne Lee
So Glad WMCCA Appealed
Given the size and impact of this summer’s wet weather events, even the current County, State, and Federal stream buffer and wetlands requirements may not prove adequate to protect our streams and homes. But what is clear is that the Montgomery County Planning Board has utterly failed to apply even the current bare minimum legal requirements. And they are doing so with impunity. Our most recent example occurred when they approved construction in the Piney Branch Special Protection Area (SPA) stream buffer. The lot in question is on Glen Mill Road just northeast of the intersection with Boswell Lane. It has severe environmental constraints – wetlands, steep slopes, mature forest, and the Piney Branch stream runs right through it. One house maybe could be squeezed onto the lot. But the developer wanted two and the Planning Board obliged approving a site plan that illegally provides for construction of the 2nd house on steep slopes in the stream buffer.
We joined with abutting neighbors who opposed the development and WMCCA recently appealed the decision to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals.
We thought long and hard about whether to appeal. Litigation is expensive and although in the SPA, it is only one lot. In the end we decided we had to appeal. We could not let stand a Planning Board decision that so clearly violated the legal requirements for development in the County, putting streams and homes at risk, and doing so in a way that violated basic tenets of administrative law.
At issue are the Environmental Guidelines for Environmental Management of Development in Montgomery County at:
https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/environment/environmental-guidelines-reports/environmental-guidelines/
The Guidelines are not just recommendations. The document is a compilation of the County, State, and Federal laws and regulations that govern the “protection of sensitive areas during the planning and development process.” (p. viii) They are scientifically based and written in simple, plain English. It does not take a rocket scientist to perform the calculations for stream valley and wetlands buffers. The developer did not follow the requirements and when we documented the errors the Planning Staff failed to make the corrections. Instead, they invented their own bizarre stream buffer calculations allowing the second house while also admitting that they had no wetlands expertise. We pressed the Planning Board to correct the calculations. We also demanded that if they did not, that they make clear the basis for their decision. The public has an absolute right to know which requirements the Planning Board has decided it will not enforce. They did neither. They merely rubber stamped, with no findings, a plan that clearly violates the requirements for stream buffer and wetlands protections.
The wisdom of appealing was further confirmed when we received the developer’s revised plan for the 30 acre Heritage Gardens townhouse development on South Glen Road. Notwithstanding the fact that the Planning Staff correctly determined the first plan violated the Environmental Guidelines prohibiting buildings and construction in stream buffers and on steep slopes, the revised Plan appears to continue these violations. Now more than ever we need the Courts, the Planning Board, and the Office of Zoning and Administrative Appeals to enforce these requirements essential for protecting our streams, our water quality, and our downstream homes.
INTRODUCING THE WMCCA MEMBERS CORNER
Tell us your story!
Moderated by Barbara Hoover
Many of our members are involved in advocacy and activities that benefit our community. We would like to “shine the spotlight” on your activities via a “Members Corner” as part of our monthly e-Newsletter. Because our printed newsletter is limited to one page, there are many things going on in our area that we do not have room to include, but are important to the Community. Please email a summary of your issues, or civic and environmental activities you have participated in that affect the Potomac Subregion, or tell us what brought you to WMCCA, or how WMCCA has helped you. Please include your name and contact information when you send your information to me at: membership@WMCCA.org. We reserve the right to edit, include or exclude submissions at the discretion of our Editor.
THRIVE 2050
Submitted by Ginny Barnes
Park and Planning has started the process of updating the 1964 General Plan and the 1993 General Plan Refinement. This document drives all individual master plans. Planners are seeking input from citizens in creating a shared vision of how the County will address three core themes in the next 30 years: economic health, community equity, and environmental resilience. For background on the initiative go to https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/master-plan-list/general-plans/thrive-montgomery-2050/.
WMCCA is looking to schedule a presentation on the initiative for an upcoming General Meeting.
REMINDER: It’s time to renew your membership for 2019-2020!
Please renew or become a new member of WMCCA. Go to our website www.wmcca.org to download a membership form or join using PayPal: Individual: $25 / Family: $50. We welcome donations to our Legal Fund. Over the past decade, we have spent over $50,000 in legal fees to protect your local interests. For example, contributions from members enabled us to join the fight against the Brickyard Road soccerplex, the Old Anglers Inn event complex, the Brandywine Senior Living facility, and most recently the Glen Mill Road Piney Branch Stream Valley subdivision.
If you have any issues or concerns in your neighborhood, please contact WMCCA. We appreciate the input from our neighbors and are glad to review and address issues as they affect the Potomac Subregion Master Plan, zoning, and environmental threats to the “Green Wedge,” our creeks and water supplies, and the Agricultural Reserve.