On this brilliant Spring morning, fitting to remind about the practical benefits of the County’s Rustic Roads preservation program. Today we highlight road user safety: our more narrow and winding rustic roads - lined with vegetation cause most motorists to ease off the gas a bit making for safer passage for all kinds. Posted Speed limits are 25-30.
Farm equipment fares better where speeds and traffic volume are lower. (Studies aplenty)
PS - be respectful of the farmers moving their equipment this planting season, thanks!
The Rustic Road Master Plan is having its first update since the inception of the program.
A public hearing on the planning draft of the update took place on 4/18. we understand the Transportation and Envionment Committee will take the matter up next.
Take a minute to share your Rustic Road appreciation with Council by 4/25
Press and Testimony:
Great article from PLENTY about the importance of Rustic Roads
Rustic Roads Advisory Committee Testimony
Dr. Royce Hanson's Testimony
(MCA’s testimony begins at approximately 6:07:00 - but hear others strong testimony as well.)
The record will remain open until December 9 for folks to write in to support the program and important Rustic Roads Advisory Committee recommendations (testimony here.)
Details (thank you Leslie Saville):
WHO: You, your friends and neighbors, residents, visitors, groups (civic, historic, environmental, recreational), farmers, farm market and CSA operators, vintners and brewers, artists, visitors, cyclists, equestrians, hikers, businesses--anyone and everyone who loves and uses our rustic roads.
WHAT: Please tell the Planning Board how your road (or your favorite road) is special to you. Your testimony doesn't need to be long, but if it's personal and heartfelt, it will be powerful.
Ideas you might include: These roads are historic and unique, as are the bridges, structures and landscapes along them. They are narrow, slow, and safe, leading to places of wonder--to views of Sugarloaf Mountain, to historic communities, both Black and White, past a one-room schoolhouse, a favorite barn or a row of 100-year old cedar trees.
Your testimony would be especially helpful if it highlights how valuable and irreplaceable these historic, scenic roads continue to be, that they are integral to our working landscapes, rural areas and villages, and the functioning of the Agricultural Reserve. They strengthen our rural businesses including our farms, markets, orchards, stables, wineries, breweries and art studios along them. These roads are safely shared by all users, and their narrow pavements protect the water quality in our streams and reservoirs. Heritage tourism along these roads is an enormous economic asset for our rural economy.
Love your own road! Please name your road (or roads). Include a stunning photo or two! Check your road description in the master plan and point out something specific you support. Examples--a new designation, a historic or one-lane bridge that's a Significant Feature of your road, a history write up that highlights things you might not know or that you hope others might learn, or historic sites, views or champion trees shown on the new map of your road.
Send email to:
[email protected]
BCC: [email protected]
Thanks for your support of our Rustic Roads!
Executive Gardner: "We know that preservation is crucial to maintaining our community’s unique characteristics,” Executive Gardner said. “By launching this Rustic Roads Program, we can preserve Frederick County’s rustic roads in their natural and historic settings so future generations can understand and appreciate our rich agricultural history.”
Video of the proclamation here and County press release here.
Frederick's push for more protection for rural roads makes a strong case for continued protection for those same roads as they cross the border into MoCo's rural lands.