Mo-Co Alliance
  • Home
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • A Brief History
    • Board & AC
    • Staff & Volunteers
    • Contact
    • Buy MCA Gear
  • About Ag Reserve
    • Rooted in the Reserve Podcast
    • Growing Legacy Film
    • History of the Ag Reserve
    • Benefits of the Ag Reserve
    • Agriculture Education
    • Farm Facts
    • Threats to the Ag Reserve
    • A Place with Purpose
  • News
  • Events
    • Local Events
    • Royce Hanson Award
    • Ride for Reserve
  • Support Local
    • Agricultural Guide
    • Local Food Connection
    • Good Fences Grant
    • Community Supported Agriculture
    • Restaurants & Retail
    • Artists of the Reserve
  • Community Resources
    • Land Link >
      • Labor Link
    • Re-leaf the Reserve
    • PLENTY Magazine
    • Producer's Resources
    • BIPOC Farmer Guide
    • Directory of Local Services
    • Friends of Ten Mile Creek
  • DONATE

News

UPDATE: Council Votes to protect Reserve from Sewer Sprawl- Thank your Councilmembers!

3/31/2018

 
Picture
Protecting the Ag Reserve and rural transition zones from sprawl helps maintain water quality
​Update - May 1 

The Council is still working on the details of the County's Ten Year Water and Sewer Plan. They are making sure that home owners with septic systems in rural residential areas have all the tools needed should they experience or clearly be at risk of septic failure. Important stuff.

Council will take this up again in June. Stay tuned...

The Montgomery County Council today voted 5-4 in favor of the Elrich Amendment to the Water and Sewer Plan.

This is good news for our rural communities and Ag Reserve. The Elrich Amendment is aimed at preventing unnecessary sewer sprawl, which threatens our clean stream areas with higher-density urban development, sewage spills, leaky sewer pipes, and stormwater pollution. Cheers to those who took action and our partners including West Montgomery Civic Asso., Conservation Montgomery, MC Sierra Club, Potomac Conservancy, Audubon Naturalist Society. 🌟Our core team: Diane Cameron, Ken Bawer and Susanne Lee. The best! 


Read More

Protecting Regional Water Resources: Now More Than Ever

4/25/2017

 
Picture
Dry spring soil at Mckee Beshers - 2012
Update: The ICPRB (Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin has just released a new comprehensive plan for the region's water needs in the coming decades. 
Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail 
Did you know that the DC region is currently operating without a regional water supply plan? 
 The Little Seneca Reservoir and many other water projects were built as part of a 50-year plan for water supply to the DC metro area, a plan which expired in 2010. We need a water supply plan for the next 50 years that considers diminishing water supplies in the context of an increasing urban population as well as the increasing severity of droughts. Read on for how climate change makes the need for careful planning even more dire. On our 2017 work plan is a collaborative effort to push for a plan for our precious water resources for the next 50 years and beyond. Help us make that happen with your gift today. 

 What effect will climate change have on the Washington region’s water resources?

According to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin – Plenty.

Their report indicates that by 2040 climate change could cut stream flows by as much as 35% on an annual average.Science should inform the region’s planning and goals of resource protection.

AP Coverage

​
Some more resources about our coming water crisis: 

​How Maryland is adapting its drinking water plans to climate change
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Climate Change Fact Sheet
EPA Addressing Climate Change in the Water Sector
​
A Case Study: The City of Frederick's plan for addressing Climate Change Impacts on Watersheds
Water Storage: 
Evaluation of Travilah Quarry for Water Supply Storage (Phase 1 and 2)

​
The Journal of the American Water Resources Association- "Benefits of Water Supply Forecasting in the Washington, DC area. 
​Montgomery County Park and Planning Water Resources Functional Plan  (May 2010)

Sharing Resources and Their Protection: Poolesville and the Reserve

1/24/2017

 
Picture
Update:
The Developer of the proposed Wilshire project has now proposed 75 homes on 13 acres - still too big! In partnership with our friends at Protect our Poolesville (POP) - we've prepared a petition. Take one minute to support a sustainably sized Poolesville (and please share!)
Sign the Petition
Poolesville, Maryland is a small municipality located within the Ag Reserve. The Reserve's sole source of water, The federally designated Piedmont Aquifer, serves Poolesville as well. The aquifer is currently adequate in quantity and quality but it is fragile, subject to overuse and contamination, and must be guarded. Beautiful rustic roads  serve the Reserve and Poolesville. The Poolesville Cluster schools serve residents of the Reserve. So when discussion of ultra dense development proposals is undertaken, it is within our mission to lean in to ensure that care is given to protecting shared resources. And so we did recently when a proposal to develop a 13 acre parcel next to the Town green "Whalen Commons" with 93 or more homes landed. Members who are Town residents as well as members who live nearby in the Reserve asked for help. We have partnered with the newly formed Protect Our Poolesville to engage a land use consultant Richard Klein, provided groundwater material including recent water availability forecasts, and presented at public gatherings.

​PoP has engaged the candidates currently vying for 3 seats on the Poolesville Town Commission through an 
online candidates survey in order for the Town residents to better know their positions on growth and resource protection. ​

Understanding and Protecting Ag Reserve Groundwater

9/27/2016

 
Picture
Montgomery County’s Ag/Openspace Reserve is, by design, wholly outside the WSSC service area.  Reserve residents, farms and businesses rely on ground water from the federally protected Piedmont Sole Source Aquifer- which also stretches into Frederick, Howard and Caroll Counties. According to the EPA, because the aquifer has just one source and serves such a wide swath of communities,  the aquifer  ”if contaminated, would pose a significant hazard to public health.”Whether you reside, work or play in the Reserve, understanding the finite and fragile nature of this high quality resource is important.  We can all work to protect it and continue to enjoy it’s high quality sustainably. 

See these links for more information.
​Town of Poolesville Wellhead Protection Zone

USGS Water Science Center
​
MDE Groundwater Protection Program
National Groundwater Association
​
Montgomery County Water Resources Master Plan Appendix

Sewer vs. Septic - It's Complicated

5/5/2016

 
by Kristina Bostick
The pros and cons of public sewer treatment vs individual septic is a complicated subject. One thing is clear: Public sewer systems do leak and when they do, they leak big.

Read More

Don't Flush Ten Mile Creek Protections!

1/15/2015

 
by Kristina Bostick

​Sewer Plan Threatens Ten Mile Creek

Picture
Important Sewer Meeting: Show your support for keeping sewers out of Ten Mile Creek by attending the first meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the WSSC Clarksburg-Ten Mile Creek Sewer Study on Thursday, Feb 12th from 7-9pm.  The meeting will take place at the Montgomery County Government Upcounty Regional Services Center, Room A (12900 Middlebrook Road, Suite 1000, Germantown, Maryland 20874).  The public is invited to attend and there will be time at the end of the meeting for public comment.  Three board members of the Friends of Ten Mile Creek are on the Citizens Advisory Committee and we welcome you to attend and show your support.  And if you can't make this meeting, don't worry -- there will be others so please stay tuned.

Read More

2014 Wrap Up

11/7/2014

 
by Kristina Bostick

What has MCA done for me lately? Well...

Our Shared Environmental Resources


​
Supporting a Strong Ag Sector
Connecting New and Expanding Farmers with Land

​Strengthening the Producer Community with a  Listserve and Summits
Successfully Pushing for a New Farm Pilot Program
Proud Lead Organization of the Farming at Metro's Edge Conference
Supporting A proposed year-round daily farmers market in North Potomac 
Connecting farmers with new opportunities under the new County Zoning Code

Community
Producing "Growing Legacy"  film about the Reserve for students and the public
Creating an Ag Reserve Candidate Questionnaire/Voter Resource
Creating an Ag Education Pilot - 180 students reached so farHelping to Found the MoCo Food CouncilKeeping Monocacy Elementary Open

Zoning
No Commercial Recreation or Camps in the Ag Reserve
No Sewer Extension for Mega Churches
Battling Back Plans for Massive Cell Towers

Currently working on supporting new farm businesses and expansion of sourcing local farm products in County stores/restaurants.  We are pushing to add to our farmland inventory for the LandLink program.  Our education initiative has expanded and we are working with MC Farm Bureau to secure funding for mobile ag science lab for the use of the County's elementary schools.  How about that! Every elementary school student should have exposure to what farming is all about and why our Ag Reserve is so special.

​And the list goes on and on... help us add more victories to this list- join MCA - a yearly membership is just $25
Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Barnesville Oaks/Greentree
    Bike
    Climate Change
    CSA
    Development
    Education
    Energy
    Events
    Fun!
    Growing Legacy
    Land Link
    Local Food
    Master Plan Update
    Mega Church
    Montgomery Council
    News
    Open Space
    Outer Beltway
    Parks
    Planning
    Potomac Bridge
    Racial Justice
    Recent Accomplishments
    Recipes
    Reducing Waste
    Regenerative Ag
    Releaf
    Rocklands
    Rural Schools
    Sewer
    Solar
    Take Action Now
    Ten Mile Creek
    Thrive 2050
    Transporation
    Water

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2012
    September 2012
    November 2010
    October 2010

ABOUT US
What We Do
A Brief History
Board & AC
Staff & Volunteers
Contact
​​Buy MCA Gear
ABOUT Ag RESERVE
History of the Ag
Benefits of the Ag
Farm Facts
Threats to the Ag
​A Place with Purpose
NEWS
EVENTS
Local Events
Ride for the Reserve
Royce Hanson Award
SUPPORT LOCAL
Ag Guide
Local Food Connection
Community Supported Agriculture
Restaurants & Retail
​Artists of the Reserve
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
​Land Link
Producer's Resources
Directory of Services
Picture
Montgomery Countryside Alliance
P.O Box 24, Poolesville, MD  20837
301-461-9831  •  ​[email protected]
Picture
Picture
Picture

Picture
MCA is proud to announce that we have been recognized for a third time as one of the best small charities in the D.C. region by Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. A panel of 110 expert reviewers from area foundations, corporate giving programs, and peer non-profit organizations evaluated 270 applications.

​MCA is known as an effective and innovative non-profit whose efforts to preserve and promote Montgomery County’s nationally recognized 93,000 acre Ag Reserve have brought increased public and governmental support of local food production and farmland and open space preservation. Most importantly, MCA’s efforts are putting more farmers on the ground and keeping them there.
COPYRIGHT © MONTGOMERY COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE 2008