Montgomery County has set ambitious but necessary climate action goals. The first step was climate experts gathering in county convened working groups to recommend steps toward this goal, then the Climate Action Plan (CAP) reflecting these goals was created and released for comment. Productive comments have come in from all quarters to make this plan equitable, practical and effective. MCA has signed on in support of three different sets of comments meant to improve the plan. What other climate actions are we taking?
- Supporting climate bills in Annapolis
- Re-Foresting stream buffers through our Re-Leaf the Reserve Program
- Promoting Regenerative Agriculture and placing sustainable table crop producers through our Land Link program
- Conducting a survey (coming soon) and providing resources to landowners to help site solar under the newly passed ZTA 20-01.
MCA signed on to recommendations as part of the Montgomery Coalition to Prevent Stream Destruction.
The County’s current policy of using “stream restoration” projects to convert our forested natural stream valleys into engineered drainage channels for stormwater runoff is in direct contradiction to the CAP's goal. Every foot of “stream restoration” involves the loss of forested areas, and “To date, the County has completed stream restoration projects, restoring almost 30,000 linear feet of stream…” per the latest report on meeting the MS4 Permit.
The CAP should strictly prohibit the practice of “stream restorations” until the re-examination of this issue has taken place via a dialog among all stakeholders.
The County’s current policy of using “stream restoration” projects to convert our forested natural stream valleys into engineered drainage channels for stormwater runoff is in direct contradiction to the CAP's goal. Every foot of “stream restoration” involves the loss of forested areas, and “To date, the County has completed stream restoration projects, restoring almost 30,000 linear feet of stream…” per the latest report on meeting the MS4 Permit.
The CAP should strictly prohibit the practice of “stream restorations” until the re-examination of this issue has taken place via a dialog among all stakeholders.
MCA also signed on to the recommendations of the Sequestration and Adaptation Technical Working Group - a group of climate experts who's recommendations formed the foundation of the CAP. The comments from this group include better acknowledging nature based solutions such as reforestation and regenerative agriculture - including specific recommendations for incentives for regenerative ag conversion.
Some members of the Clean Energy Working Group Technical Advisory Committee submitted comments on the CAP as individuals. MCA supports these comments.
MCA Signed on to comments from the Stormwater Partners Network
