Recent action

Smart growth bills pass

Two bills to promote smart growth passed this year, both of which were introduced by Gov. Martin O’Malley.

One bill makes transit-oriented development a priority for state resources. Transit-oriented development is characterized by residential units built alongside or above stores, restaurants, and offices. This design allows residents to choose between walking, driving or riding transit—offering an attractive alternative to sprawling residential suburbs and mega-malls that are accessible only by car.

The other bill creates special development zones near the military bases that will expand due to BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure). State and local governments will use projected future tax revenue to fund good development projects within these zones. The bill passed unanimously in both the House and Senate.

Learn more.

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Bay fund created

During the special legislative session last November, the General Assembly created the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund to provide funding to help improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. During this year’s session, legislation passed to direct the spending from that fund.

The bill creates a system called BayStat, which is designed to assess the Bay’s health and current restoration projects. Using data gathered through BayStat, a team of scientists and government officials will then allocate funding to farmers and developed areas to help minimize their runoff pollution.

Unfortunately, the General Assembly decided to cut half of the funding for the first year. Environment Maryland will be working to make sure this is a one-time occurrence and not an annual trend.

Learn more.

Maryland state agencies will invest $25 million next year in bay restoration programs as part of the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund.

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Misson statement

We all want clean air, clean water and open space. But it takes independent research and tough-minded advocacy to win concrete results for our environment, especially when powerful interests stand in the way of environmental progress. That’s the idea behind Environment Maryland. We focus exclusively on protecting Maryland’s air, water and open space. We speak out and take action at the local, state and national levels to improve the quality of our environment and our lives.

Credits

Photos:Top Banner: Andrew F. Kazmierski*; Shoreline protection bill passes: Jane Thomas IAN Image Library, Sidebar: Staff, copyright2265524729*; Clean energy legislation passes: Brad Kresge*, Sidebar: Adrian Jones IAN Image Gallery; Land preservation initiative: copyright2265524729*, Sidebar: GJS*; Recent Action: Critical Area Commission; *Indicates usage under license from Shutterstock.com.

Editor: Brad Heavner.

Contributors: Cecily Anderson, Justin Boyles, Zach Cullimore, Matthew Curtis, Sara Landis, Ethan Lavine, Jenna Perry Leschuk, Ryan Moeckly, Leana Nordstrom, Dan Platt, Nathan Proctor, Drew Stephan, Jenne Turner, Chris Wand.

Publications Director: Richard J. Hannigan.

Design: Public Interest GRFX (215) 985-1113