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The Monocacy River deserves a better Monocacy Plan
For the past two years, Frederick and Carroll Counties have been debating the Monocacy Plan: an advisory document meant to guide both counties on improving the health of their shared Monocacy River. But between 2017 and 2018, drastic changes were made to the Plan that gutted its value for protecting and improving the Monocacy's water quality and environmental health. We're urging the Frederick County Council to reject the 2018 Monocacy Plan - a position the Frederick County Planning Commission just unanimously agreed upon, as well. For more on our position, read our coalition letters to the
Stormwater Practices Need Inspection and Maintenance
In November, Jennifer and I had the opportunity to take a storm water tour with Richard Klein, of Community and Environmental Defense Services. In off and on rain, we looked at the health of two different sections of streams and looked at two different storm water facilities.
We first went to a section of the Jones Falls, where it is one of the healthiest and most vibrant sections of stream in Maryland. We looked for macroinvertebrates in order to sample stream health. Macroinvertebrates are organisms without a spine that are big enough to be seen with the naked eye. Specifically, we were
Keeping Antibiotics Effective - An Update and Call to Action
Last year, we worked with the Keep Antibiotics Working Coalition to mobilize to phase out the practice of feeding healthy animals antibiotics. In the United States, approximately 70% of antibiotics human use are sold for use on animals. These drugs are often fed to animals that aren't sick in order to prevent disease. This routine use of antibiotics contributes to the breeding and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These bacteria can then travel off the farm and into our communities.
Ultimately, the General Assembly passed the Keep Antibiotics Effective Act, which passed without Governor
2018 Legislative Wrap Up
Another legislative session has come and gone. We saw some wins and some losses, but no matter the outcome we continue to work on issues that impact water quality in Maryland.
Septic Stewardship Plans (HB1765): This legislation incentivizes local jurisdictions to create Septic Stewardship Plans, which require education, pumpouts, and record keeping, based on septic system best practices. This bill passed unanimously by both the House and Senate and it now awaits Governor Hogan's siganture.
Complete Streets ( HB535/SB407, HB744/SB850): Both bills passed and are now on the governor's desk for
Visualize 2045
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is developing a new longterm transportation plan for the region: Visualize 2045. While focused on road and transit projects, this plan will also include bicycle and pedestrian projects as well as land use issues. While inclusion in the plan does not guarantee that something will happen, exclusion from the plan makes it more difficult.
The transportation system has a major impact on our waterways, whether pollution from cars, acres of impervious surfaces in the form of roads and parking lots, or sprawl development spurred by more highway