Court of Appeals Ruling Threatens Vital Wetlands

Earlier this week, the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled [pdf] against the Olde Severna Park Improvement Association, and for homeowners wanting to build a 610-foot bridge/pier across extremely sensitive wetlands on the Severn River.

The decision essentially set forth that waterfront homeowners have riparian rights unless they are expressly excluded in the deed.

The particular significance of this decision is that in this case, the proposed bridge/pier spans a highly sensitive wetland called a bog. The area is also adjacent to one of the County's gems, a forest protected by the Nature Conservancy.

Here's hoping that MDE or the good sense of the new homeowners will prevail, and this bridge to nowhere will never get built.