Environment
Maryland Research and Policy
Center released its new
report, “Our Natural Heritage at Risk: Threats Facing Seven of Maryland’s Most
Special Places.” The report highlights
seven places across Maryland that are at risk from development, and the
environmental importance of preserving those places before they are lost
forever.
“This
report demonstrates the critical need for a renewed focus on preserving our
open spaces in every region of the state,” said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, staff
attorney for Environment Maryland. “Our
forests, farms, and parks are essential, whether to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay, to sustain our drinking water supplies,
or to protect natural habitat.”
The
seven locations include the Prettyboy Reservoir, a key source of drinking water
for the Baltimore region; the Annapolis Neck, which helps protect the
Chesapeake Bay; Assawoman Bay and Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, both
critical sources of habitat; Terrapin Run, which flows through one of
Maryland’s largest forests; and Cayots Corner and the Patuxent River Rural
Legacy Area, both farming districts of historic and environmental significance. All seven of these areas are threatened by
development.
“Development
is one of the most significant threats facing the Chesapeake
Bay,” said Terry Cummings, Manager of Advocacy for the Chesapeake
Bay Foundation. Poorly planned growth
paves over our open spaces, creating polluted runoff and destroying natural
filters that help clean the Bay. We must
do more to better manage development and protect our open spaces.”
These
programs protect not just forests and farms, but help create public parks and
recreation centers as well. “Program Open Space is an essential tool
in preserving and protecting park and recreational opportunities for future
generations of Marylanders. Our quality of life is directly tied to our
parks, our recreation, and our natural and cultural heritage,” said Tom Ross,
Director of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association.
Program
Open Space and the real estate transfer tax were created in 1969 to provide a
dedicated funding source for the state and counties to preserve land. Until recently, the program was so successful
that land preservation actually kept pace with development. However, from 2002 – 2006 the Governor and
the legislature raided over $480 million from this dedicated fund. The uncertainty caused by this funding
shortfall has meant uncertainty for land preservation efforts across the state.
“At risk
is 62% of Maryland’s
lands, which are currently in private ownership and are neither developed nor
preserved. This land is up for grabs,” said Marcia Verploegen Lewis,
Director of Partners for Open Space. “We must decide now what we want Maryland's future
landscape to look like."
Advocates
called on Governor-Elect Martin O’Malley and the incoming legislature to
end the pattern of raids on open space funding in this year’s budget, and
to control sprawling development.
"In November, voters who care about our environment supported
Governor-Elect O'Malley and conservation candidates in the legislature, in part
because of their strong commitment to land conservation and smart growth. Maryland's new and
returning environmental leaders hold the keys to protecting our lands and our
way of life, and we look forward to working on these issues with our partners
in the State House," said Cindy Schwartz, Executive Director of the
Maryland League of Conservation Voters.
Earlier
this summer, O’Malley pledged to fully fund Program Open Space for the next
four years. The pledge was part of a
campaign organized by Environment Maryland to raise awareness of the importance
of land conservation. Roughly a third of
the incoming Delegates and Senators also signed this pledge.
