Critical Area Law Community Roundtable May 10

Sharon

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Staff member
PREMO Member
A Critical Area Law Community Roundtable will be held Tuesday, May 10 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in Room 206 of the College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus.

The topic of the roundtable is "The Critical Area Law 25 Years Later - Accomplishments and Remaining Challenges." The event will include speakers from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Maryland National Capital Building Industry Association and St. Mary's County Government. It will include presentations on the history and current status of the Critical Area Law, a panel discussion and questions from the audience. Participants will also be encouraged to recommend revisions to the current law.

The Critical Area Law regulates development and construction on land within 1,000 feet of tidal waters and wetlands, and is an important part of the State's strategy for protecting water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. The law also places significant restrictions on property owners, residents and businesses located in the Critical Area. Striking the right balance between environmental protection and property rights has been a subject of intense discussion in St. Mary's County and other parts of Maryland. Roundtable participants will discuss the trade-offs and prospects for future changes to the law.

The Critical Area Law is an especially important issue for St. Mary's County. Approximately 30% of the county's residents live within the critical area, and nearly 20% of the county's land area is covered by the law.

For more information about the roundtable or critical area laws, please contact St. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management at 301-475-4200, extension 1500.
 
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