Severn River Report Released

Today's Post reports on the recent release of the Severn Riverkeeper's state of the River report. Bad news, particularly for the yellow perch.

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.

Severn Becomes Poster-Child for Aquatic Damage

A report in today's Post describes how local biologists are using the Severn River as a cautionary tale about the environmental degradation that occurs when watersheds are overdeveloped.

Fire Near Severn Run

Today's Sun reports that firefighters are battling a 60-acre blaze near the Severn Run Natural Environment Area west of Interstate 97. The fact that it has been so dry lately has dramatically increased the incidence of brush fires. If you happen to smoke, please don't throw cigarette butts out the window of your car, where they can easily ignite these difficult to control infernos.