From environmentmaryland.org:
Development in Maryland is out of control, and it is paving over our open
spaces, polluting the Chesapeake Bay, and hurting our quality of life. That’s why
Environment Maryland is working to pass policies that will help Maryland grow in a
smarter, more sustainable way.
To prove that uncontrolled growth is a problem, we need to document cases of
sprawling development from all across the state. Do you live, work, or play near a
development that is going up and paving over a farm or forest? Is your local
creek polluted by runoff from a construction site or new development? Write and
tell us your story, and send us a picture if you have one.
To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
https://www.environmentmaryland.org/action/land-preservation/my-story?id4=ES
Then, ask your friends and family to help by forwarding this email to them.
Background
Much of the development in Maryland over the past 50 years has been poorly
planned. Development is too often characterized by the conversion of natural or
agricultural land to low-density subdivisions and strip malls, only accessible by
car.
This dispersed development pattern threatens our quality of life and harms the
environment. Poorly managed growth destroys valuable open space and farmland,
leads to the abandonment of our cities, forces us to drive long distances between
home and work or shopping, increases traffic congestion, wastes tax dollars, and
pollutes our air and water.
From Terrapin Run in Alleghany County to Blackwater Wildlife Refuge in
Dorchester County, uncontrolled development threatens our parks, forests, and farms.
Uncontrolled growth puts our water quality and quality of life at risk and sprawling
development increases commute times and air pollution.
Cities and counties should focus growth in areas inside or near existing
development. When cities and counties expand outside of existing high density areas,
they must take undeveloped lands-whether forests or farms-and those pristine
lands are lost forever. Expanding outside existing development also puts a heavy
strain on our tax base. New development requires new roads, schools, and services,
which everyone pays for.
Environment Maryland is working to pass policies that will help Maryland grow in
a smarter, more sustainable way. This summer we are researching solutions and
building support for change, and we need your help. To convince legislators that
uncontrolled growth is a problem we need to document cases of bad, sprawling
development across the state.
We need you to write and tell us your story, and send us a picture if you have
one. We will compile the stories we receive and use them to document the damage
done by sprawling development and the need to control growth across Maryland.
To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
https://www.environmentmaryland.org/action/land-preservation/my-story?id4=ES
Then, ask your friends and family to help by forwarding this email to them. [See oldId.20060803125806227