Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Cluster of Power Plants in Brandywine

4 existing and 1 proposed

Public HEARING, August 17, 2015 • Brandywine, MD  •  Volunteer Fire Department  •  7:00 PM




Brandywine 

Where the Farms, the Preservation and Conservation Land Uses have been changed and no longer called the Rural Tier.  Community residents are of the opinion that Brandywine has become an industrial environmental sacrifice zone.

Mission

An Alliance for Environmental Justice that’s working towards an Clean Air, Clean Water, Clean Soil environment protecting our resources for the Future of our kids.

Statement of Concern


Natural gas (and oil) power plants add dangerous pollutants to the air that seriously impact the health of people within a ten-mile radius, with children and the elderly most susceptible.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked air pollutants with cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory symptoms, reproductive issues and birth defects. 

We are of the opinion that the North Keys and the Panda Mattawoman proposed project gas power plants will also create water problems, both in sourcing and disposal.  When operating on natural gas, it can consume 58,000 gallons per day; in oil mode, can use 1,000,000 gallons per day.  We believe that consuming such a large amount of water could disrupt our aquifer and cause water shortages. This does not include the Quarry Mines, Surface Mining Plants that consume massive about of water.

We ask for legislation that pertains to a Department of Energy pledge with a 20/20 program: 20% of its energy coming from renewable sources by the year 2020.  We are currently at 3%.  The construction of the power plant will not contribute to this goal.  The plant is also unnecessary, based on Forecast Reports that concludes electric generation supply will be adequate through 2022. 

Various constituencies in opposition of the plant are in the process of assessing all options available to attempt to stop this plant from being constructed. In the weeks ahead they will be looking to the vast numbers of supporters who have expressed their opposition to the plant in joining together to continue the effort of looking at the environment disparity aspect.

The Executive Community Citizens Board(ECCB) is a permanent standing committee of the Brandywine| TB Southern Region Neighborhood Coalition located in Brandywine Maryland, 20613. The ECCB assertion, in part, states that the "effects” on the natural environment; ecological integrity and balance; public health and safety; scenic, historic, and recreational values; forests and parks; air and water purity; and fish and wildlife are disproportionate either alone or cumulatively with other effects when compared to public benefit. Even if the Power Plant is not in conflict with policies of the State of Maryland concerning “effects” of such there are sufficient reasons

As we move forward in evaluating the environmental disparity we urge our governmental agencies to propose strong standards to minimize methane pollution from new and modified sources in the oil and gas industry and also provide a solid foundation for required standards reducing methane emissions from a broad range of existing sources. Comprehensive and rigorous methane standards covering, at a minimum, the sources currently subject to VOC standards as well as those examined in the five 2014 EPA white papers will deliver important public health and environmental benefits. Effective curbs on methane emissions from new, modified, and existing sources are critical to provide much needed clean air protections to local communities, to meet EPA’s obligations under the Clean Air Act, and to meet the administration’s international climate goals.

The ECCB is uniquely situated to evaluate and advise about the potential impacts of the Project. The ECCB is still in the process of evaluating all concerns of the community related to the missions and operations that may be impacted by the Project. As such, the concerns are not an exhaustive list. The ECCB will supplement its concerns as information becomes available and in the event any additional impacts are identified.

  1. The cumulative effect of methane leaks before burning makes natural gas more climate-unfriendly than coal. Every independent study of gas-field methane emissions has corroborated this fact, including those from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Purdue University, and the Cornell University research team that was the first to explore the climate impacts of natural gas and shale gas production.
  2. Traffic Concerns (Brandywine Road Club) and emissions
  3. Truck Traffic (over 1500 truck trips)
  4. We deserve our Clean Air, Water and Land (soil).
  5. Flammable, toxic, and a potent greenhouse gas; Mixed with: Acid, Corrosive inhibitor, Bactericides, Friction reducer, Iron control, and Scale inhibitors which end up in the wastewater and drilling slurry; erodes Air, Soil and Drinking water Quality 
  6. Environmental and public health hazards are serious and irreversible
  7. Pipeline drilling uses millions of gallons of water/creates adverse environmental consequences to farms food chain, citizen’s communities and conservation land
  8. At risk of possible rupture and explosion causing loss of life and property damage
  9. Accelerates Climate Change
  10. Erodes property values and impact consumer mortgages and insurance. National research studies have shown that property values will decline; and a safety risk will be introduced into populated areas.
  11. Stresses local communities resources and damages infrastructure
  12. Subverts needed investments in carbon-free fuel alternatives
  13. Wealth and income shift from 95% to 5%
  14. Along with the other environmental disparate industrial uses in the Brandywine such as Aggregate Surface Mining, Fly Ash, Lagoon Sludge Fields pollution
  15. The percentage of Distribution of the Environmental Burdens of impaired or threats to the environment in the Brandywine area are in the 90% to 100% for health risks, exposure, emissions, and major chemical releases or waste generation. 
  16. Cooling Tower Are Total Dissolved Solid (TSD) levels in the cooling tower water expected to exceed the assumed average with regularity and is there a significant difference in PM emissions from the cooling tower complex using maximum TDS levels versus average TDS levels? 
  17. Ammonia Emissions Mattawoman's estimated ammonia emissions (198 tpy) are approximately five (5) times higher than Maryland's largest point source ammonia emitter in the 2011 version 1 NEI. These emissions are also significantly higher than reported ammonia emissions for comparable facilities in the NEI and reported emissions in PA DEP's eFACT site. 
  18. The proposed site boundary must have adequate public access controls to qualify as an ambient boundary for modeling purposes. (Brandywine Road Club inefficiencies).
In closing it’s been brought to the attention of the ECCB that the emissions for Brandywine seem very high given the nature of the source. The off-site inventory should, in our opinion, reflect limits during normal base-load operations. CO modeling completed by PPRP indicate the proposed Mattawoman facility exceeded the 1-hr CO SIL when the combustion turbines were in startup modes.

The residents of Brandywine shouldn't have to trade their safe drinking water, clean air, climate, health or communities for energy.

First, notice to the BTB Coalition was around May 20, 2015 therefore limiting the chance for meaningful input was and has been grossly inadequate.

The BTB Coalition mission is that we focus on providing a clean energy future –- one centered on clean, safe, renewable sources of power, used efficiently, that ends our dependence on fossil fuels as quickly as possible. Energy efficiency and renewable energy must be our country's top energy priorities because they are the quickest, cleanest, and cheapest solutions to global warming and other pollution problems.

Although burning natural gas can reduce harmful pollution when it displaces coal in power plants, the extraction of both coal and natural gas is currently resulting in public health threats and climate change pollution. The full extent of those threats from natural gas extraction remains largely unknown and ongoing study indicates substantial concerns and major uncertainties. To the extent near-term use of any fossil fuels continues, we must curb emissions of harmful pollutants and implement strong safeguards for production and use of all fossil fuel energy sources to minimize risks to our health and environment.

The ECCB would greatly appreciate the Maryland Public Service Commissions leadership in protecting public health and addressing harmful pollution. We urge you to establish protective safeguards addressing methane pollution from new and modified sources in the natural gas sector, including the standards that will establish a strong foundation for required actions to address methane and other harmful emissions. Priority actions should include:

Putting sensitive lands and watersheds completely off limits to oil and gas production;

  1. Curbing air pollution across the entire system, from drilling and production to distribution, by setting strong clean air standards that minimize methane leakage and prevent dangerous smog-forming and cancer-causing toxic air pollution;
  2. Mandating the strongest well siting, design, construction, and operation standards and other drilling best practices;
  3. Protecting the landscape, air, and water from pollution by closing clean air, clean water and safe drinking water laws loopholes, reducing toxic waste and holding toxic oil and gas waste to the same standards as other types of hazardous waste, funding robust inspection and enforcement programs, and requiring that oil and gas companies post adequate bonds or other financial securities;
  4. Mandating full public disclosure of information regarding chemicals used in fracking;
  5. Prioritizing renewables and efficiency to replace fossil fuels;
  6. Ensuring full transparency and public participation in permitting and regulatory processes associated with oil and gas development, and allowing citizens to bring enforcement actions against lawbreakers; and
  7. Allowing communities to determine their own future by restricting fracking through comprehensive zoning and planning
In January, President Obama administration took an important step by committing to a suite of actions to reduce harmful methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, the largest industrial source of this pollution. These protections are urgently needed for the health of our communities and families.

The BTB Coalition mission is to ensure that citizen’ rights to oversee their communities are not diminished in the regulations in exercising ones first amendment their right to enforce and defined local legislation ordinance against drilling companies protecting our right to be heard. Maryland should enact a fracking law, such as the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act, which ensures citizens’ rights to public hearings concerning proposed permits, to appeal permits that are granted, and citizen enforcement against violations of law or permit. The law should also impose bonding and insurance requirements to hold drilling cause and more.

It is urgent that the Maryland Public Service Commission takes immediate protective action for the health of our communities and families. The Brandywine community has the right to limit oil and gas development locations, including prohibiting such development entirely along with community efforts we will continue to champion in our effort to protect public health and pass a permanent moratorium on fracking in lue of the limited moratorium so the state can study the risks and impacts and determine whether—and if so, how—communities can be protected.  In the meantime, we are working with our government agencies to ensure that regulations are as strong as possible to protect residents who are exposed to fracking now.

In closing, and well stated “Rising sea levels. Raging storms. Searing heat. Ferocious fires. Severe drought. Punishing floods. This is what climate change looks like. It threatens our health, our communities, our economy, and our security. It is the greatest environmental threat of our time.






Please Voice Your Opinion


Friday, March 21, 2014

Prince George's People Counsel in Comparison

For years we have suggested that in matters before the Zoning Hearing Examiner, the Board of Zoning Adjustment, and the Alcoholic Beverage Regulatory Administration (liquor licenses), that citizens groups should be afforded representation by "the state" to represent their interests because the applicants usually have funds and the citizens don't and it is a hardship to require citizens and citizens groups to come up with the funds to hire professional representation.

Plus, we think it's a bit of a 14th amendment violation (such cases are difficult to win), because neighborhoods of high income households have a greater likelihood of being able to retain or provide quality representation, and low income neighborhoods are less likely to have such resources, and therefore have less or minimal representation in comparable situations.


I suggested that a model be created for this, in the manner in which People's Counsels represent citizen interests.


Hearings are held during working hours of most citizen's. Maybe we give consideration to lobbying for a "People's Advocacy Counsel", to represent the community concerns in land development issues?

Prince George's County People's Zoning Counsel
"There's just such a big gap between the developer, who can afford the different fees and representation, and those of us who are part of community associations who can't afford that, the people's zoning counsel is to act on the part of the public."

Many are of the opinion that at the zoning examiners and the people's counsel for whom we as county residents pay there salaries sometimes oversteps its role and gives developers a boost. "It is responsible for the county to defend its decision. It is irresponsible for them to take the posture of directly attacking the environmentalists and communities who are protesting,".

Whether the developer is right should be irrelevant, because it should be up to the developer's attorneys to make their own case.

M-NCPPC Planing Board on Special Exceptions
We expect that upon a request for a public hearing before the Commissioners that our "Planning Board" whom we are of the opinion should protect the interests of people and "Community Input", for who they serve would honor such request for a "public hearing"... 
In past experiences of such request before the Honorable Samuel J. Parker, Jr., Chairman Prince George’s County Planning Board, Chairman the Commissioners never denied such requests.

Therefore we are of the opinion that this Commission lacks the "Transparency" and the welcoming of "Community Input", but waiver towards ones own self-serving interest.


Prince George's County Zoning Attorney & Lobbyist
http://pgspring.org/node/317
Registered LOBBYISTS • Miscellaneous (in a MISCELLANEOUS organization entry.)
Stan Brown (People’s Zoning Counsel)
Andre’ Gingles, Calverton +1 301-572-5009
John Lally
John Barr
Wayne K. Curry
Marvo Jo Camp
Suellen Ferguson (Municipal Atty)
Derick Berlage, Rockville (Former Chair Mont CO. Council & MNCPPC)
Vernell Arrington
Abigail Bruce-Watson

Good Examples of People's Zoning Counsel

Harford County Council...
PEOPLE'S COUNSEL CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD

In April 1976, the County Council introduced legislation in the form of a Charter amendment providing the authority to establish the position of People's Counsel and the People's Counsel Citizens Advisory Board.

At that time, commercial and residential development was rapidly moving throughout the County and the Council felt many citizens and communities did not have the means or money to present organized opposition to the development. Although this Bill was vetoed by then County Executive Charles Anderson, the County Council overrode the veto, and Bill No. 76-35 was approved by a majority of the voters at the general election in November, 1976.


Subsequently, the County Council introduced Bill No. 76-103, which set forth the powers, duties and responsibilities of People's Counsel. The intent of the County Council was to employ an attorney to "represent the interests of the public in all matters and proceedings preliminary to, arising out of, or affecting the zoning classification or reclassification of land in the county."


An important provision of this Bill gave authority to People's Counsel to be "free to make an independent determination as to the matters and proceedings in which he shall participate and the conduct of the affairs of his position in performing his duties and functions." 


Bill No. 76-103 also established the People's Counsel Citizens Advisory Board, a group of seven citizens appointed by the County Council, "broadly representative of all segments of the County's population." The Board has the authority to "provide guidance and make recommendations to the People's Counsel regarding any matter referred to them by the People's Counsel, County Council, or as requested by any citizen or group of citizens of Harford County."




More to come on this subject but welcome your comments...




Board of Appeals—Public Hearing

MARCH 26, 2014
County Administration Building, Room 2190
Upper Marlboro, Maryland

All Board of Appeals hearings are public hearings; however, if necessary, a part of the meeting may be conducted in closed session.

MINUTES FOR APPROVAL FROM MARCH 12, 2014
CASES FOR HEARING – 6:00 P.M.


VARIANCES NEW CASES

V-119-13 Syed Ahmad
Request for a variance of 8 feet rear yard depth/width to validate an existing condition and obtain a building permit for a new screened porch and landing with steps at 9507 Greenspring Court, Lanham.

V-11-14 Bardon, Inc.
Request for a variance of 7.5 feet front yard depth to construct a conveyor bridge over McKendree Road at 14801 McKendree Road, Brandywine.

V-12-14 Sadie McIntosh
Request for variance of 11 feet rear yard depth/width to validate and obtain a building permit for a new sunroom at 7208 Purple Avens Avenue, Upper Marlboro.

V-13-14 Neil Zsak
Request for variances of 6 feet front yard depth, an additional 5 feet rear yard depth/width and 4% net lot coverage to validate existing conditions and construct a covered front porch at 5604 Seminole Street, College Park.

V-14-14 Michael Matese & Shannon Morris
Request for a variance of 1 foot side yard width to validate an existing condition and construct a two-story addition and covered porch at 1524 Elson Street, Takoma Park.

V-15-14 Cecilio & Juana Vasquez
Request for a variance of 8.3% net lot coverage to validate an existing condition and construct a second-floor addition and covered deck at 5221 Tilden Road, Bladensburg.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Advocate for Prince George's County Surface Mining Legislation

The Danville Floral Park Road Citizens Association d/b/a Brandywine |TB Southern Region Neighborhood Coalition herein after referred to as the BTB Coalition is an alliance of civic, citizens, homeowner, community associations and interested individuals located throughout Prince George’s Councilmatic Districts 6, 7, 8 and 9. We provide information and facilitate networking among civic groups, community activists and individuals concerned about the commonwealth of Prince Georgians in general in the Southern part of the County. We are especially interested in any issues that affect our quality of life and property values.

The organizations Communities Programs seeks to provide technical assistance on the use of various tools to help the community achieve their goals for growth; to overcome barriers and move toward smarter, more sustainable growth. The organization seeks to attain an increase in the community’s capacity to successfully implement smart growth and sustainable approaches that protect the environment, improve public health, create jobs, expand economic opportunity, and improve overall quality of life.


The organizations works is to build active influential communities based on justice, equality and mutual respect as a first amendment advocate for the betterment of community that aims to influence public policy and resource allocation of decisions within the political, economic, and social systems.

AGGREGATE SURFACE MINING LEGISLATION

The Brandywine/TB Southern Region Coalition in conjunction with many other central and northern area environmental legitimate groups whom have expressed serious concerns that the presence of these aggregate excavations are negatively affecting our quality of life through such means as noise, dust, truck traffic and disturbing the scenic beauty of the landscape. While we have been the only group in pursuit of legitimate environmental conditions of Mining Aggregate Operations in order to keep our community safe through the Community Citizen's Board (CCB) representing "Citizens", that has been in existence since 2003 now being represented by the  BTB Coalition, Executive Community Citizen's Board (ECCB).

As everyone knows our towns and cities would not exist in their present state if these materials had not been available. There is a basic conflict between the need for an adequate supply of essential construction aggregates, and the desire of by our organization and many residents of the community that no extractive industry be established. Since there has never been a denial of any Surface Mining Special Exception then the most moderate and equitable solution of the problem would seem to be stricter control of the sitting, operation and rehabilitation of pit and quarry sites, and a fostering of the growing desire among the aggregate producers to improve their public image.

Citizens have the right to engage their government to enforce legislation that protects their communities, the land, and the environment from adverse impacts of surface mining. In order for citizens to exercise that right effectively, they need to have a clear understanding of the industry and the available tools to enforce the laws.

The BTB Coalition plans to keep pressure on our public officials to protect citizens and their communities and ensure sure that public officials are accountable for their actions and/or the lack of.

The fact is in certain high aggregate production areas, where insufficient regard hs not been given to the environment in the past serious problems have occurred and in rural communities.

The process of aggregate extraction results in impacts on the natural environment and on associated wildlife so the industry is the subject of comprehensive policies and legislative guidance. Prince George’s County needs an Aggregate Resources Act (ARA), which outlines the following purposes and a Best Practice Guidelines for Aggregate Rehabilitation Projects:

1. That provide for the management of the aggregate resources;
2. That control and regulate aggregate operations;
3. That require the rehabilitation of land from which aggregate has been excavated; and
4. That minimizes the adverse impact on the environment in respect of current aggregate operations

BRANDYWINE

We have since 2002 ask that environmental concerns be addressed by the Council in these specific Aggregate Special Exceptions that allow this use in our residential areas for a total of current approximately 2,360+/- acres, to operate consecutively, thus this does not include the already being mined acres of Gudelsky Materials located in Brandywine, MD at 14750 Gibbons Church Road.

In addition over 3,800+ acres have been mined and not properly reclaimed, leaving the land destitute and uninhabitable.

The concerns of the community are as follows;
1. Drawdown of aquifer water and
2. Heavy dump truck traffic on rural roads,
3. Noise
4. Dust, exhaust
5. Loss of Residential Water.
6. Air Pollution. Dust from mining, exhaust from dump trucks and heavy mining machinery.
7. Health risk
8. Discomfort
9. Extended pollution as dust settles in region, on land and in water
10. Destruction of Nearby Recreational Waterways & Natural Environment.
11. Very significant portions of the Mattawoman Creek run through this property. It cannot be mined without doing extreme damage to the Mattawoman
12. Mining destroys all plant life on the property, harms or kills animals, including fish.
13. Increased threats to species dependent on these habitats for food and homes
14. Without root systems to help catch it, there is constant runoff of chemicals and silt into waterways where people fish, splash, kayak, etc.
15. Loss of habitat for lots of ground animals and birds.
16. More deer in our roads (very dangerous) and gardens
17. More raccoons, opossums, and foxes in our yards and trash
18. More mice and snakes looking for new homes
19. Birds forced elsewhere to find homes (loss of source of beauty and joy to many)

Wastewater must go somewhere. Where will it end up? Wastewater ponds are poorly regulated, present pollution problems of their own, and cannot collect all wastewater.

For this reason it is imperative that we look into the issue of why these aggregate operations are not required to capture, treat and recycle the water they use and forbidden from using portable water consistently pulling and drawing from local aquifers or water from surface creeks and streams. This would also be the best proceeding in keeping with the current Federal administration’s impetus for sustainable resources usage and would open doors to possible Federal stimulus funding or grant monies.

MINING “SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS

1. SE_4402/4403 Aggregate Industries 1st special exception of 684.5 Acres, with a wash plant.

2. SE_4651 Aggregate Industries has applied for the 2nd special exception. This project is at Accokeek Road Surface Mining, & is on 683 acres S. of Accokeek Rd., W. of McKendree Rd., NE of Garner Rd.

3. SE_4647 Aggregate Industries has applied for the 3rd 2nd Special Exception for sand and gravel mining for which this property consists of 607.9 acres and is located in the R-R Zone. This property address is 6705 Accokeek Road, Brandywine, Maryland 20613. The property is located south of Accokeek Road, west of U.S Route 301 and north and east of McKendree Road. It is comprised of Parcels 87, 189, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, & 81. The property consists of 607.9 acres and is located in the R-R Zone.

4. SE_4700 Aggregate Industries has applied renewal of the 4th - QUEENS PROPERTY, 81.89 of Residential-Agricultural Lands.

5. SE_4669 Chaney Enterprises has applied for their 2nd Special Exception in Prince George’s County for sand & gravel mining on 175 acres 15851 McKendree Rd
Brandywine, MD 20613 on land known as the Robin Dale Golf Club. (Tax Map 164, Grid C-1.) Currently zoned R-A (1 house per 2 acres), in the Rural Tier; ) in the Rural Tier which has wells & septic system usage. Very significant portions of Mattawoman Creek run through this property.

6. Gudelsky Materials was established in 1994 and grandfathered in so that they do not have to adhere to current rules and regulation being that do not have to reapply for there mining special exception.

SE-4646 Gudelsky Materials has applied for their 2nd Special Exception in Prince George’s County for sand and gravel mining on 22 acres on Brandywine Rd. It has road frontage on Evergreen Way. (Tax Map 156, Grid D-2.) Currently zoned O-S (1 house per 5 acres), also in the Rural Tier, also should also be using wells & septic systems.

7. SE-4556 Bevard/Bardon Group, Inc., has applied for their 2nd Special Exception in Prince George’s County for sand and gravel mining on 103.8 acres on SW side of Brandywine Road, at the inter/W Gibbons Church Road.

These Aggregate companies need to be held to a high standard; and we need to demand Hydrologists from an outside independent source that can provide a non-bias opinion to examine the physical characteristics, distribution, and circulation of water above and below the earth's surface, and not leave it up to what maybe non-bias reports and examinations by the Applicants. To also study rainfall and other precipitation, the paths precipitation takes through the soil and rocks underground, and its return to the oceans and air. I’m concerned about the dust, if it can seep down to the aquifer. Prince George’s County needs to do the same as the government and private industry and use this information about water properties and movement patterns for a variety of purposes but specifically related to mining in one area.

We ask that you support our efforts by signing our petition as a request that concerns be addressed by our government legislature.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Clinton/Brandywine Water Zone Storage Project

WSSC Community Meeting
Community Meeting
For Proposed Water Storage Tanks in the Brandywine, Cheltenham,
and Rosaryville Areas of Prince George’s County, Maryland
February 28, 2013
Time: 6:30 pm 8:30 pm
Location: Stephen Decatur Middle School
Address: 8200 Pinewood Drive, Clinton, MD 20735
 

WSSC offers this meeting as an open forum for residents to learn more about potential sites for additional water storage tanks in southern Prince George’s County. 

A brief presentation will address:
· How elevated storage ensures water supply reliability,
· The site selection process,
· Potential tank sites, and
· The process and timeline for the project.

Drawings and renderings of the proposed water storage facilities will be available. WSSC officials and its design engineers will be available to answer questions.

For more information, please contact:
Mr. Simon Baidoo, WSSC Project Manager (301) 2067148
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Project Website: http://www.wsscwater.com/home/jsp/content/clintonzone.faces

WSSC SR3 Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in Piscataway Creek Basin

Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) is doing its part to protect water quality in streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay by enhancing its sewer system through the Sewer Repair, Replacement and Rehabilitation (SR3) Program.

Sewer Repair, Replacement and Rehabilitation (SR3) FAQs


Public Meeting
Topic: WSSC Sewer Improvements in
Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) in
Piscataway Creek Basin
Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Place: Surratts-Clinton Branch of Prince George’s County Memorial Library
9400 Piscataway Road    Clinton, Maryland 20735
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.



Sunday, November 8, 2009

CR-082-2009 & Brandywine Crossing II

Mining In Subregion V, South Prince George's County

Special Exception Applications for Mining:

In addition to the five (5) SE Applications filed with MNCPPC for sand and gravel mines
in residential/rural tier areas for a total of 1,590+/- acres, to operate consecutively.

Active Mining “Special Exceptions” Applications are as follows
Aggregate Industries- McKendree Rd., NE of Garner Rd.
Aggregate Industries- 6705 Accokeek Road, Brandywine, Maryland 20613
Chaney Enterprises- Previously Robin Dale Golf Club
Gudelsky Materials- On Brandywine Rd. It has road frontage on Evergreen Way
Bardon Group, Inc.- On SW side of Brandywine Road, at the inter/W Gibbons Church Road.


Brandywine and the portion of the PPA south of Accokeek Road contains some old, active, and future sand and
gravel mines. mining sites can sometimes be reclaimed for development, but the land will be rendered entirely barren, even down to a microbial level. It's natural attributes cannot be reclaimed. Overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that breaks in ecosystems, whether woodlands, wetlands, or watersheds, degrade those systems, and threaten the viability of the species therein. Further, direct and indirect air and water pollution resulting from mining activities make them a poor choice in residential and environmentally sensitive areas such as these.

Strategies
Priority Preservation Area

Gain state certification of the recommended PPA within Subregion 5.
  • Implement the PPA through code revisions, amendments, and programmatic changes as outlined.
  • Develop an installment purchase agreement option.
  • Require mitigation for activities that use soil productivity classes I, II, III agricultural or forest soils in the Rural Tier in Subregion 5. What kind of mitigation? How much?
  • Stimulate and facilitate landowner interest in selling easements under the county’s
  • Woodland Conservation and Tree Preservation Ordinance. This is a great idea. Increase the open space easement requirement in conservation subdivisions.
  • in the PPA: in the O-S Zone from sixty percent to seventy percent and in the R-A Zone from fifty percent to sixty percent.
  • Establish an agricultural zone for the express purpose of encouraging agriculture as an intended, long term land use. We are in strong support of this concept, but would like more information included in this document. What will the guidelines for the agricultural zone be? Will it be mandatory or voluntary?
Mineral Resource Areas
Evaluate the utilization of a mineral overlay zoning district that corresponds to the
unexploited sand and gravel deposits, avoiding already developed lands, to protect mineral resources. The boundaries of the district could be limited to the PPA. Within the overlay district require the following: Promoting sand and gravel mining is in direct opposition to the principles behind land and ecosystem preservation. Sand and Gravel mining has the potential to cause serious human health hazards, air and water pollution, and watershed depredation, and the failure of reclamation efforts to achieve acceptable levels of vegetation structure. (see studies by the U.S. House of Representatives; Washington State Department of Ecology; Fisheries Research, Missouri Department of Conservation, and The Biodiversity Conservation Unit of the Department of Infrastructure, Planning, and Environment.)

In order to control the copious airborne particulates (dust) produced by sand and gravel mining that put humans at such a direct high risk for developing serious health problems, millions of gallons of water must be used every day. This is almost guaranteed to cause a serious runoff problem, endangering nearby watersheds and waterways, but also poses a serious and direct risk to residential water supplies.

In the predominantly Rural Tier area in which sand and gravel mining would occur, residents rely on private wells for water. Many of these are in danger of “drying up.” In other words, the water table in the aquifers from which the wells draw water is dropping so quickly and significantly that water will no longer be available for use if serious measures are not put in place to curb large-scale usage. This plan does not identify alternative potential water sources for use in mining activities.

Finally, the increase in dump truck traffic would cause a great increase in noise, wear and tear, and dust on rural roads which are not designed to handle the weight or level of such traffic. The effects of these impacts on residents will have a negative impact on their quality of life.

  • Surveys of mineral resources prior to development for other uses. Recommendations to promote mining are wholely inappropriate if appropriate surveys have not even been completed; planners are suggesting uses which might cause incredible depredation without bothering to find out where this might occur.
  • Offering access to mineral resources, if present, prior to development.
  • Penalizing developers for deciding not to engage in mining, at the great detriment of people and ecosystems, is unfair to both developers and the general public.
  • Increased setback requirements from outside property lines of development parcels to minimize potential effects of noise and dust from future mining on adjoining unexploited parcels.
  • Post mining reclamation requirements that match preservation, community recreation, and environmental needs. Within the PPA these should encourage reclamation for agriculture or woodland. Please see attached studies referenced above.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Temporarily Suspending or Tolling of Fees

Public Hearing
June 2, 2009 – 10:00 a.m.
County Administration Building, Council Committee Room 2027
14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive in Upper Marlboro


Bills Updated Status
CB-07-2009 / CB-08-2009

Proposer(s): Dean

Sponsor(s): Dean, Bland

Item Title: An Ordinance



1. CB-7-2009 (Sponsored by Dean) - An Ordinance concerning Validity Periods for Detailed Site Plans and Specific Design Plans for the purpose of temporarily suspending or tolling the validity periods of all Approved applications for Detailed Site Plans and Specific Design Plans that are currently in a valid status. (Held)

2. CB-8-2009 (Sponsored by Dean) - An Subdivision Bill concerning validity periods for Preliminary Plans of Subdivision for the purpose of temporarily suspending or tolling the validity periods of all approved applications for Preliminary Plans of Subdivision that are currently in a valid status (Held)

The hearing held on last Wednesday, March 18, 2009 on the above legislation with the Planning Zoning Economic Development Committee (PZED,) with no doubt would have passed through without our testifying in opposition as the community leader and association member, and President, of the Brandywine / TB, Rt 301 West Region Neighborhood Coalition (The BTB), along with a representative of the District V Coffee Club.

We must inform you that Mr. Tom Dernoga was the only Council member who required investigative questions regarding this legislation. It has been tabled until Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 1:30 pm., these bills look as if they will get pushed through - with or without amendments concerning the public safety surcharge, without the adjustments in the exemptions, and the new School Surcharge for which the Land Developers have paid or are paying a fee of $5,000, instead of the current fee since 2005 of $12,000+.

At the March 18, 2009, PZED hearing it was stated: “For that reason, we did not collect ANY surcharge fees until recently, to date for the last 18 months a total of $794, 000, for 2008 and $22,700 for 2009”. Now, we are collecting a little, but the plans in the pipeline are to exempt!


The Planning Board submitted a letter to the committee in support of CB-7-2009 and CB-8-2009. The Office of Law determined that these Council Bills are in proper legislative form with no legal impediments to their enactment.


Tom Haller, representing MTM Builders, and Tom Farasy, representing the Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association spoke in support of CB-7-2009 and CB-8-2009. Catharine Taggart-Ross and Kamita Gray addressed the committee in opposition to both Council Bills.


The Prince Georges County Association of Realtors submitted a letter in support of CB-7-2009 and CB-8-2009. Remember these are the same Developers that sold us these inflated houses made the profits...now come back to us the community and cry wolf.


Please pass on: Your “PRESENCE” and “VOICE” is absolutely critical! We know that this information can be overwhelming, but please read all for YOURSELF, and be empowered.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND… In 2005, there was an influx of applications due to the fact that Surcharge Fees where about to increase and the State placed a grandfather rule on the public safety surcharge so that it does not apply to subdivision plans filed prior to 7/1/05. The development community filed a lot of plans just prior to that date to avoid the surcharge. They did the same thing in 2003 or 2004 when the education surcharge increased from $5,000 to $12,000.

So, while the purpose of CB-7, CB-8-2009 is to waive surcharge fees, one possible consequence of the extension of the validity period is that “Grandfathered” plans will become a “GREAT” Grandfather! …. while the County Executive, Jack Johnson, and some of the County Council members were in favor of Legislation to Raise our property taxes (Homestead Bill) due to the Economic downturn, the Land Developers have been working to get “CREDITS” ... Since 2005! Land Developers Builders have ONLY paid a fee of $5,000 when the fees should have been $12,000+, and NO PUBLIC SAFETY SURCHARGE FEES!

We have a shortfall in the Prince George’s County Budget for Public Safety, we may loose Police Officers and Services to furloughs and layoffs, why are we not speaking out about this injustice to the tax papers, when the “Public Safety Surcharge” is not being paid by the Land Developers and Builders, therefore a major contributing cause of the shortfall in the “Public Safety Budget” a direct cause of “Public Safety” cuts.

On Monday, March 30, 2009, 08:00 AM-10:00 AM, Greenbelt Marriott 6400 Ivy Lane Greenbelt, MD 20770….The Annual Breakfast of the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association Prince George's Liaison Committee with the County Executive and County Council.

This event was a celebration and is held every year with our Prince George's County Council, and in our opinion is a conflict of interest. They facility direct access to decision makers. If this legislation is passed that will give the Land Developers a BIG SAVING$ on us the Tax payers. FYI, the same “Party” was held in Montgomery County but the Legislation was only proposed for 8 Months and very limited, Prince George’s County Proposed Legislation is for 24 Months Or 2014.

TRANSFORMATION: We can not stress enough how outraged and appalled we were, in discovering this Legislation and all constituents should be. Again, we are not sure as to why there is not more outraged, for reform but all that we are getting is the “Spare Change” oh that’s right there is no “Spare Change”. 2010 we need change and that starts at the grassroots level, US. One, by one, we must come together and become many, power is in the people. We proved that in the 2008 elections let’s do it again!

Remember, this is no more than the AIG scandal. Big, profits before people and greed.

The Land Developers and the Builders sold us these homes that are now, in foreclosure, or upside down in our County. We as Prince Georgians have to bear the brunt of this downturn while these Land Developers and Builders go back to their Counties, and States, with our fees and their profits. Fiscal Responsibility: If the Council were to grant an exemption for the Public Safety surcharge fees, the fees are waived from the general fund. And guess who gets to make up the shortfalls to pay for the new infrastructure and police and fire coverage increases created by new development, if impact fees aren't collected? Current taxpayers, and if I remember correctly, aren't the impact fee payments delayed on developers who build homes until the property is sold? And, why do we need more homes in a sea of foreclosed homes, and new homes elsewhere in the County, that just aren't selling? Why? HAS THE MAJORITY OF COUNCIL MEMBERS ALREADY DISCUSSED THIS IN PRIVATE, AND DECIDED TO RUBBER STAMP THIS?

Please, VOICE YOUR OPINION, good, bad or indifferent!

THESE BILLS…CB-07 / 08-2009 are Crossfiled with
HB Bill 921 EMERGENCY SENATE BILL 958.


GAZETTE 1. Council proposes extending development deadlines [ 5.068%
.. size of the development. Two bills, CB-7 and CB-8, sponsored by Dean, ...
Publication date: Thursday March 5, 2009
Issue: Prince George's County

HB921 assigned to Environmental Matters Committee

Delegate Maggie McIntosh, Chair Maggie.mcintosh@house.state.md.us
Delegate James E. Malone Jr., Vice Chair Jame.malone@house.state.md.us

SB958 assigned to Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee
Senator Joan Carter Conway, chair Joan.carter.conway@senate.state.md.us
Senator Roy P. Dyson, Vice Chair, Roy.dyson@senate.state.md.us
Jack B. Johnson County Executive, countyexecutive@co.pg.md.us

PZED Committee Members:
Samuel H. Dean, Chair, SHDean@co.pg.md.us
Eric C. Olson, Vice Chair, EOlson@co.pg.md.us
Marilynn M. Bland, mmbland@co.pg.md.us
Thomas E. Dernoga, TEDernoga@co.pg.md.us
Camille A. Exum, CAExum@co.pg.md.us