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Top Priority

Protecting Maryland's Natural Heritage

We have seen far too many of our forests, farms and fields turned into strip malls and subdivisions. We can focus new development in well-planned smart growth zones and make sure that valuable natural areas are protected.

Communities put a lot of effort into updating local growth plans every few years, but public officials too often ignore those plans and approve developments that are grossly inconsistent with the common vision for smarter growth.

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Latest News

The Environment Wins in 2008 Legislative Session 4/08/2008

The 2008 legislative session was full of important steps forward for the environment. In partnership with a statewide coalition of partners, Environment Maryland helped win key victories to protect the Chesapeake Bay, improve our energy policies, and take steps forward on other environmental issues.

Our Latest Reports

Unprotected Shoreline: Failures in Limiting Development along the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays 2/27/2008

With weak enforcement mechanisms, broad loopholes, and 64 separate jurisdictions implementing their own standards, the Critical Area Act has failed to stopa many irresponsible developments that continue to threaten the health of the Chesapeake Bay, its tributaries and Maryland's Atlantic coastal bays. This report highlights seven case studies of harmful development allowed by deficiencies in the current law.

When it Rains, It Pours: Global Warming and the Rising Frequency of Extreme Precipitation in the United States 12/04/2007

Scientists expect that global warming will cause a variety of changes to precipitation patterns in the United States. Many areas will receive increased amounts of rain and snow over the course of a year; some areas will receive less. But scientists expect that, all across the country, the rainstorms and snowstorms that do occur will be more intense – increasing the risk of flooding and other impacts.