Folks are always asking:  Where do I get that beautiful illustrated map of the Ag Reserve. Many thanks to Reserve resident, conservationist and artist Tina Brown for creating it! For $12 it can grace your home. Makes a great gift too! The map measures 24″ x 18″.

Rocklands Farm- June 19- 7:30 pm
14525 Montevideo Rd, Poolesville, MD

Please join us for an Info Session on Land Link- a program started by MCA to “link” new and expanding farmers with landowners offering land for long term lease, sale or other arrangement. Learn more and read current listings at mocolandlink.org

Please Click here to RSVP

Our friends at Future Harvest CASA have put together a list of local eateries that source from local farms. (Did they miss your favorite- you can update the list yourself.
Chefs know more than anybody- local food just tastes better. Bon Appetit!

From MC Planning Staff:

Planning Board Draft Released

Late last week, the Planning Board approved a draft Zoning Code and Zoning Map and transmitted them to County Council.  The draft, in addition to an interactive version of the proposed Zoning Map, are available on the project website.  Hard copies of the draft Zoning Code will be available at the Planning Department information counter on Thursday.

The draft was introduced to the County County this morning and a Council public hearing is scheduled for June 11 at 7:30pm.  For more information about speaking at a Council hearing and other ways to contact the Council, click here.  On June 14 at 9am-12pm, the Planning, Housing and Economic Development (PHED) Committee of the County Council will begin a review of the draft Zoning Code and Zoning Map.
Interactive Zoning Map & Questions about the Draft Zoning Code

For questions about the interactive zoning map, or any other aspect of the project, contact Matt Johnson at Matt.Johnson@montgomeryplanning.org or 301-495-1325.

Action Needed:  Planning Board to take up the bills (detailed below) on May 30th – County Council will hold public hearing on June 18th.  Directions for your emails below.

Background:

Green building technology has made great advances, no question.  But great care should be employed in how and under what circumstances these tools are implemented, especially if their use is designed to maximize building density in areas with fragile resources. Permeable surfaces now used for driveways, roadways and parking lots can aid in storm water run off issues. They are also attractive alternatives to asphalt and concrete.  Yet, these surfaces may actually provide greater opportunity for contamination of groundwater resources and are contraindicated in recharge areas for sole source aquifers. The reason our current regulations do not discount area coverage with pervious pavement is that the use by cars and trucks tends to compact the soil,  which prevents or substantially retards percolation of water into the soil beneath and the pores in the material become clogged over time, converting the covered surfaces from pervious to impervious. This is different from its use for walking paths and other light impact areas.

See:  US EPA’s Stormwater Technology Fact Sheet:  Porous Pavement

Implications of the proposed legislation relate to the density of development throughout the County, most immediately Clarksburg’s last phase of development – Stage 4.

As Montgomery County evaluates the potential effects of Stage 4 Clarksburg development, planners must look at the specific conditions of the area.  The factors to be considered prior to accepting that permeable surfaces will mitigate environmental harm include, but are not limited to, proximity to sole source aquifer recharge, geological conditions (how permeable are the soils?), and topography.  The Piedmont Source Source Aquifer, the sole source of drinking water to thousands of area residents outside the WSSC water/sewer envelope, is a fragile resource requiring special planning consideration.

Moreover, per the EPA Fact Sheet, there is a 75% failure rate for pervious surfaces.  That does not lend comfort in terms of long term protection of the region’s critical natural resources, especially our drinking water.

Take Action: Your Voice Needed!

Two recently-introduced bills in the Montgomery County Council,  Bill 13-03 and Bill 13-13, would enable pervious pavement to be 3/4 exempt from any impervious surface limitations that the County rightly applies to protect sensitive waters such as Upper Paint Branch and Upper Rock Creek, or Ten Mile Creek in Clarksburg.  This bill, introduced by Councilmember Craig Rice, would define permeable pavement; require the DPS Director to count only 25 percent of permeable pavement area toward any limit on impervious surface area; and specifically allow permeable pavement as a method to limit impervious area. A public hearing at the County Council is scheduled for this bill for June 18th.

Let’s properly evaluate this now – not later when we may not be able to undo harm to our drinking water resources.

The Ask of the County Council (please personalize -do you live near a stream or rely on well water for example.):

Dear Planning Board and County Council Members,

Please oppose Bill 13-13 and companion Bill 13-03, as written, they fail to properly protect the County’s critical water resources, especially the Piedmont Sole Source Aquifer and important Ten Mile Creek.  Please ensure that any future legislation that promotes green building technology is informed by solid science, practical and long term effectiveness and specific on the ground circumstances.  We need our planners and elected representatives to take the long view with regard to the protection of our natural resources and human health and welfare.

Respectfully,

___________________________

Please send your comments/questions/concerns by May 30th (if possible) and certainly by June 17th (by the latest) to:

county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov

MCP-Chair@mncppc-mc.org

cc:

mark.symborski@mncppc-mc.org

gregory.russ@montgomeryplanning.org

bcc:  info@mocoalliance.org

The historic Darby Store in Beallsville:  Before and After

Update:  Thanks to your votes, Darby Store received a share of the money offered for interior renovations. It is a small start but a good one.  Way to go Montgomery County mouse clickers!

_____________Previously:

Hey, a local landmark is right in there with some major landmarks, competing for funding for restoration. While outside renovations are complete, the inside is awaiting funds sorely needed for completion. Once completed, the building can serve in any number of ways:  Gateway/museum, commercial venture, non-profit(s) headquarters…

C’mon, vote for the little guy, the underdog, the off the beaten path – The Darby Store, whose future is bright – right here in Montgomery’s Agricultural Reserve!

Everything you need to know to take action is here.

]]> http://mocoalliance.org/2013/05/historic-darby-store-your-votes-needed-funds/feed/ 0 http://mocoalliance.org/2013/04/6450/ http://mocoalliance.org/2013/04/6450/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 20:30:32 +0000 kristina http://mocoalliance.org/?p=6450 A ‘Mega’  Evening for the Ag Reserve

Please let us know if you can join us for a Fundraiser graciously hosted by Peter and Ineke Kreeger at their home:
Fox Hill Farm 25115 Old Hundred Rd. Comus, MD 20842.
Please direct any questions to Caroline Taylor of MCA- 301-461-9831 or info@mocoalliance.org. Thank you for your support!

Please click below to donate securely online

If you’d rather donate by check- please make it payable to:
MCA
PO Box 24
Poolesville, MD 20837
Thank You!

Potomac at McKee Beshers 2012 - Photo: Caroline Taylor

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 newly released report indicates that by 2040 climate change could cut stream flows by as much as 35%.

Statistics based on science should inform the region’s planning and goals of resource protection.

Washington Post coverage.

Lets get down to it- Local Food just tastes better and supporting your local farmer has benefits to our whole community. However- we each have our favorite foods. This page will attempt to help you find those (peaches, tomatoes, etc) at the peak of their season.

First the when- Check out the calendar at pickyourown.org (scroll down)

Next Find your local farmers market, or search by food item at Maryland’s Best. Check out their recipes section as well.

To see just Montgomery County Specific Markets- check out MoCo Ag Services

Another great resource is Local Harvest

Why not pair your farm trip with other fun Ag Reserve activities- check out this Reserve Road Trip!

Thank You for Your Support!

You will receive an email receipt from PayPal and snail mail acknowledgement of your tax deductible donation from us.

Please mark your calendar for May 17th and look for an invitation in your inbox and mailbox!

Back to the MCA Homepage