Stormwater Partners Network testifies to improve forest conservation in Montgomery County

People enjoying nature at Little Paint Branch Park in Beltsville, MD. Photo Credit ANS (2019)

In June and July, SWPN members submitted testimony to the Montgomery Planning Board in support of stronger protections for forest conservation in the county. Our primary testimony, submitted in June, supported most of the Planning staff’s suggested changes to the regulations implementing the Forest Conservation Law but made additional suggestions to go further towards the critical goal of no net loss of forest. In July, we submitted additional testimony pushing back on a request by the Maryland Building Industry Association to restrict protections for ephemeral streams to only the Ten Mile Creek watershed. We strongly believe these protections should not be restricted, and in fact the door should stay open to better protect ephemeral streams throughout the County. Read both our testimonies below.

June 2020 -Stormwater Partners Network’s Forest Conservation Regulations Testimony

July 2020 – Stormwater Partners Network’s Forest Conservation Regulations Testimony