Identifying Invasives on the Bay

This week's Bay Weekly describes the work being done at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) to identify and deal with invasive plant and animal species that have made their way into the Bay.

Leopold Steps in to Save a Resource

Once again, venturing where the previous Administration failed to tread, Executive Leopold has requested that MDE deny a permit to a developer attempting to build in the bog protection area in Pasadena.

Bogs are ice-age relics that are generally nutrient poor environments where organic matter (i.e. peat) accretes, and serves as a high quality water filter. These rare natural resources are also home to some of the State's most endangered and threatened plant species, including several species of carnivorous plants.

Once again, Leopold wins serious kudos for stepping up to protect Anne Arundel County's environmental treasures.

Compost Coverage

Today's Capital has a good piece on the benefits of composting, and local composting guru, Dr. Frank Gouin.

A Jewel in Edgewater

Late last week, the Sun ran a profile of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. The 3,000 acre preserve and research station is one of the county's true environmental gems.

Target, Wal-Mart Fall by Wayside

Citizen activism has prevailed again in Anne Arundel County, in the short span of a few days, we learn that both the Target planned for Wayson's Corner and the Wal-Mart planned for Crofton have been beaten back. Walt Petrie's oversized plans for Wayson's Corner were turned back by the County Executive's announcement that the County will purchase the 30-acre property with $6.1 million in Program Open Space funds.

William Berkshire's foolish floodplain fill project for Wal-Mart was scrapped based largely on the fact that it had tremendous public opposition and would have been an environmental nightmare.

Water Quality Bad, Air Quality Worse

The latest news from the American Lung Association is pretty grim. We earned an "F" for ozone and particle pollution.

Anne Arundel County Report Card

Executive Posts Proposed Budget

The County Executive's FY 2008 proposed operating and capital budget for Anne Arundel County can now be found online.

Villemaire Retires

Only a few months into her stint as Director of the Office of Planning and Zoning, Lois Villemaire has decided to retire. This is certainly no time to have someone in the position who isn't fully committed to the massive amount of work that needs to be done.

Her vacancy will be filled by Larry Tom, a former Annapolis community development chief and previous member of the Callahan administration.