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The Maryland Forest Conservation Act was designed to protect Maryland's forests; it implemented replanting requirements and minimum forested thresholds, and required more county oversight to protect our forests from over-development. While the law slowed forest clearance in some places, the law is falling short of protecting priority forests, especially where development pressure is intense and there are large, contiguous forests.

It is time to update the Forest Conservation Act!

Senate Bill 610, sponsored by Senator Young, and House Bill 766, sponsored by Delegate Healey, would amend the

Baltimore's sewage system is in trouble. Sanitary sewage outfalls allow untreated sewage to spill into our streams during rainstorms. Overflowing pipes spill water into our streets, and even our basements. And major capital improvements are needed at our wastewater treatment facilities and throughout the system for Baltimore to clean up our waterways that lead to the Inner Harbor and keep pollution out of our neighborhoods.

A consent decree signed last year by Baltimore City, the Maryland Department of the Environment, and the EPA outlines the steps that Baltimore must take to fix these

Public transportation systems are a key air quality and climate change issue. About a third of Maryland's total greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector. Public transportation uses at least half as much energy to move a single person as a private vehicle, and one study found that replacing private vehicle trips with public transit trips reduces carbon monoxide by 95%, volatile organic compounds by 90%, and carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide by 45%. Robust public transit systems allow commuters and travelers to get out of their cars, reduce demand for parking, help cities