2012 Session Updates and Action
Clean Local Waters
Counties across Maryland are preparing a plan to reduce their share of water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. These plans are charting a new course; for the first time they are creating local plans that will lead to clean local rivers and streams and a healthy Chesapeake Bay. The plans, called Watershed Implementation Plans (WIP), will create cleaner, safer water in our communities, and local jobs for our residents, and a more robust local economy.
How do the plans stack up so far? See barometers released by 1000 Friends of Maryland and a coalition of organizations for more information.
1000 Friends supports strong local and State plans that will clean local waters and the Chesapeake Bay.
Clean Our Communities and Curb Costly Sprawl
Maryland must aggressively pay down our clean water debt. For decades we have grown without regard to the impact to local waters, borrowing from our future to pay for our immediate development needs. We must act fast because the cost of clean water will rise the longer we wait. We must also stop sprawling into our rural lands, since this development is very expensive to taxpayers and is the fastest growing source of water pollution. Allowing new growth on septic systems is a hidden subsidy for sprawl and pollution. To save tax dollars and clean up or waters, we must develop smarter.
Learn more about the Clean Water, Healthy Families campaign here!
Read our recent poll showing broad support for clean water and smarter growth! Nearly two-thirds of Maryland voters support increasing funding for Bay restoration efforts, and large majorities believe the State should actively manage growth and restrict septic systems. This strong support from across the state is a strong testament to our legislative work this session!
1000 Friends supports legislation to clean up our existing communities and save taxpayers money by curbing expensive sprawl development on septic systems.
Spend Limited State Dollars Wisely
Our communities suffer from a continued cycle of disinvestment. Every time a new road is built to a new subdivision it draws critically needed infrastructure, whether roads, schools, or emergency response, away from our existing communities and out into those new fringe developments. While there are many funding needs across the state, if Maryland chooses to raise fees for infrastructure - and transportation in particular - then a promise must be made that the new fees will go first to meeting the backlog of needs in existing communities and towards creating new transportation choices for existing residents.
1000 Friends demands that any increased funding for infrastructure, particularly transportation infrastructure, be connected to strong smart growth limitations on how and where the money can be spent.
