Montgomery County's Forest Conservation Law Strengthened by Council Vote

1/26/2023

“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

Update: The Public hearing for this bill took place on 2/7/23 - see MCA's testimony here. The law was unanimously passed on 3/21

Thanks to all that took action, County Planning staff and the members of the MoCo Forest Coalition (below).
The MoCo Forest Coalition Press Release
Our own Caroline Taylor explains the impact of this law: "The well being of our communities and needed resilience in the face of climate change are inextricably tied to the health of our forests. Three cheers to forward thinking council members and collaboration!"
350 MoCo
Bethesda Green
Biodiversity for a Livable Climate
Cedar Lane Ecosystems Study Group
Cedar Lane UU Church
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Conservation Montgomery
Friends of Sligo Creek
Friends of Ten Mile Creek & Little Seneca Reservoir
Green Sanctuary Committee of Unitarian-Universalist Church of Silver Spring
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
MOCO CAP
Montgomery Countryside Alliance
Montgomery County Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions
Nature Forward
Potomac Conservancy
Rock Creek Conservancy
Safe Healthy Playing Fields
Sierra Club Montgomery County Maryland
Sugarloaf Citizens Association
Stormwater Partners Network
Takoma Park Mobilization Environment Committee
Transit Alternatives to Midcounty Highway Extended (TAME Coalition)
White Acres Farm

Potomac Almanac Coverage of Tree Loss

From our partners at Reforest Montgomery- a deep dive into what the Forest Conservation Law means on the landscape:

The County Must Prohibit Use of Fertilizers With Off the Charts Levels of Forever Chemicals (PFAS)

1/24/2023

The Piedmont Sole Source Aquifer - especially susceptible to contamination and the only water source for much of the Ag Reserve.

Update: EPA has just proposed limits on PFAS in drinking water

“These are some of the highest levels of PFAS in biosolids we have seen in the country,” stated PEER Executive Director Tim Whitehouse, a former enforcement attorney with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and resident of Poolesville. “We are urging Montgomery County to take immediate steps to stop the use of contaminated sewage sludge on county farms and other lands.”

In mid-December two wells in Poolesville tested positive for PFAS - often called "forever chemicals" because they never break down in the environment. This group of around 5000 different man-made compounds created for foams and non-stick coatings among other purposes have been linked to serious health issues including hormone disruptions and various cancers.

Laboratory testing of biosolid fertilizers sold in Maryland has confirmed ultra-high levels of toxic per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), according to results released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

PEER, the Montgomery Countryside Alliance, and the Sugarloaf Citizens Association are asking Montgomery County officials to prohibit the application of class A and B biosolids, such as Bloom fertilizer products, on county agriculture fields, golf courses and public lands to prevent further contamination of ground and surface waters.

Letter to the Council and Executive
Press Release
Summary Lab Test
Full Lab Report
EPA Risk Assessment of Pollutants in Biosolids
What Are Biosolids and Why Are They Such a Problem?

Press:
DCist

PFAS from biosolids migrate to surface water and groundwater. They are also taken up by plants and ingested by humans and livestock. Impacts of spreading these biosolids have lead to farms in Maine with elevated PFAS levels having to shut down. Governors in New England have banned biosolid fertilizers for this reason. It is important to note farms certified USDA Organic and Certified Naturally Grown are prohibited from using biosolids.

The Reserve is particularly at risk of this kind of contamination of drinking water as it sits atop the federally designated Piedmont Sole Source Aquifer - the only source of drinking water for local wells in the western Reserve - outside the WSSC envelope by design. (How does a well work?). With the thin soils and fractured geology of the area, there is more transmission between ground and surface waters in this area.

The EPA will complete the risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS in biosolids by December 2024. It would be prudent at minimum, given the persistent nature of these chemicals, to suspend land applications (all sources in MC) until the assessment is complete.

Why This Matters:

Health: PFAS have been documented to cause long term health issues in humans - particularly in children.
Forever - Means Forever: These are chemicals that can't be "washed off" farm products and they evade most filtration systems. The EPA is looking into how to handle groundwater contamination but in their words “The answers can’t come soon enough.“
Economics: Farms and Ranches from Maine to New Mexico have had to shut down because of PFAS contamination. A broader contamination - or perceived contamination-of Montgomery County's farms could be devastating for local businesses.

What can a reasonable person do?
From a study at Duke of the most effective water filters, “Home filters are really only a stopgap. The real goal should be control of PFAS contaminants at their source.” PFAS are already everywhere but many of them bio-accumulate, meaning reducing further exposure can mitigate health impacts. Track PFAS contamination with this interactive map from Environmental Working Group. It is important to note that these substances are widespread, toxic and largely un or under regulated - leaving the consumer to invest in their own protection. When the level of protection is based on what solutions a household can afford, this becomes an environmental justice issue.

Your Water:
- Check to see if your drinking water source has been tested for PFAS; if not, consider collecting tap samples and sending them for testing to My Tap Score. Given the relatively reasonable costs, consider ordering both the advanced water test AND the PFAS test.
-Duke and NC State compared a number of water filters for their ability to filter out PFAS. This was one that fared well in testing.

Your Home:
-Ditch any teflon or other non-stick cookware
-Use the Environmental Working Group Database to find personal care items that have been found to be safer. Start with your floss.
-Achievable steps from the EPA

News

Montgomery County's Forest Conservation Law Strengthened by Council Vote

“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” - Martin Luther King Jr.

The County Must Prohibit Use of Fertilizers With Off the Charts Levels of Forever Chemicals (PFAS)

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