Welcome to the Conservation Montgomery news hub. Scroll down and use the links on this page to find a collection of the latest county and state civic and environmental news. Please note that news articles on this page do not reflect the views or policies of Conservation Montgomery or our partner organizations but provide an update on items of mutual interest.
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Peruse the news...click a title to find civic and general environmental news within this month. But be patient! We are currently updating this site with new items.
Some hits but little action on the environment in Annapolis. April 12, 2011, Baltimore Sun online
O'Malley offers further compromise on wind energy bill. March 30, 2011, Baltimore Sun Online
Montgomery ranked as one of area's healthiest counties. March 30, 2011, Delmarva Now.
Did taxpayers get soaked for pumping station construction? March 29, 2011, WTOP Radio
Green bills winning in Annapolis? March 29, 2011, Baltimore Sun Blog
Census shows Chesco, Montgomery County rank 1-2 in housing growth. March 28, 2011, The Mercury
O’Malley Pushing Several Priority Bills That Ran Into Resistance. March 28, 2011, Offshore Wind Biz
Did building Metro bring growth? It depends where. March 28, 2011, Greater Greater Washington
Chesapeake advocates target lawn fertilizer. March 28, 2011, Associated Press
Will Bag Fees Spread Beyond D.C.? March 28, 2011, Kojo Nnamdi Show, WAMU-Washington
Council discusses the challenges of restructuring government. March 23, 2011, Gazette
Leggett calls for layoffs, increased costs to employees in budget proposal. March 15, 2011, Gazette
County Executive spends $160K a year on longtime political ally. March 15, 2011, Washington Examiner
Silver Spring elementary school plan still causing controversy. March 9, 2011, Gazette
Silver Spring group wants to save McKenney Hills forest. March 9, 2011, Fox News
Northwood High School students testify on the State bag bill. March 8, 2011, Patch
Montgomery County proposes a bag tax. Check the following links for coverage:
- Washington Post
- Gazette, March 7th
- Gazette, March 9th
- NBC
- Washington Examiner
- Washington City Paper
- Washington Business Journal
- TBD Online News
- WAMU
- MSNBC
- Hot 995 Radio
- WTOP Radio
- Rockville Patch
- Tree Hugger.com
Big bucks are blocking Chesapeake Bay cleanup. March 7, 2011, Washington Post
Forest advocates rally to change MCPS plans for McKenney Hills trees. March 7, Patch
Montgomery neighborhood centers closed, now what? March 9, 2011, Gazette
Organic farmland on Brickyard Road could become a soccer field. March 7, 2011, Patch
Clean may not always be green where wind power is concerned. March, Bay Journal
Bike advocate sees positive signs at Maryland DOT. March 7, 2011, Baltimore Spokes
First wind turbine blade factory planned in Maryland. March 8, 2011, Offshore Wind.biz
Video and Patch story on groundbreaking for Bioscience Center at Montgomery College. March 7, 2011
Farmers, environmentalists battle over the Bay. March 6, 2011, Capital Hometown Annapolis News
U.S. Gets a Lesson from Developing Countries on Buses. March 6, 2011, New York Times
Reuters story on traffic-busting buses; Councilmember Elrich noted. March 6, 2011
First drive on the Inter County Connector. March 6, 2011, Patch
O'Malley touts offshore wind energy. March 4, 2011, WTOP News
Maryland wind energy plan raises cost concerns. March 4,2011, Washington Post
20-year Plan for Kensington approved. March 4, 2011 City Biz Real Estate
Silver Spring Green ready for launch. March 4, 2011, Patch
Bag tax could be coming to Montgomery County. March 3, 2011, WTOP News
Septic bill flushed. March 3, 2011, Bay Daily
Community to weigh in on Chevy Chase Lake sector plan. March 3, 2011, Gazette
Montgomery Council angry about Pepco Holdings' Reported Earnings Last Year. March 2, 2011, Gazette
County asks Pepco to replace lost trees. March 2, 2011, Gazette
Leggett to propose a bag fee. March 3, 2011, Gazette
O'Malley to fight for septic bill. March 2, 2011, Capital Hometown Annapolis
Leggett calls for government reform. March 2, 2011, Gazette
Montgomery task force to address funding for rapid transit. March 2, 2011, Gazette
O'Malley curb on septic hits roadblock. March 2, 2011, Baltimore Sun
Leggett's park police merger killed again. February 28, 2011, Washington Examiner
A push for rapid bus transit in Montgomery County. February 27, 2011, WTOP News
Task force says rapid bus transit is a solution. February 27, 2011, WJTV News
Author and activist Mike Tidwell Op/Ed piece on climate change. February 25, 2011, Washington Post
Montgomery County forms transit task force. February 24, 2010, Washington Post blog
Leggett retreats on police merger, plans new push next year. February 23, 2011, Gazette
Builders to offer support to weakened septic requirement. February 23, 2011, Baltimore Sun online
County plans to expand Sligo Creek Valley Park. February 23, 2011, Gazette
Maryland schools can't pass on environmental education. February 23, 2011, Washington Examiner
ICC aesthetics: earth tones and more that motorists won't notice. February 23, 2011, Washington Post
Maryland suburbs turn to urban building around Metro stops. February 23, 2011, Washington Examiner
Montgomery government reform gets Leggett support. February 22, 2011, Washington Post
Governor O'Malley, leaders open ICC with promises of jobs and Purple Line. February 22, 2011, Patch
ICC Controversies don't end with ribbon-cutting. February 22, 2011, WUSA-TV
Board of Ed removes Environmental Ed Loophole. February 22, 2011, ABC News
Montgomery homeowner learns his back yard is a no-mow zone. February 18, 2011, Washington Post
ICC debut poses larger transportation questions. February 18, 2011, Washington Business Journal
Woman works to uncover family's link to slavery in Sandy Spring. February 18, 2011, Patch
Montgomery County Council might weight outright panhandling ban. February 18, 2011, Gazette
Move to merge parks police suffers setback. February 15, 2011, Gazette
Environmental groups back Gov. O'Malley's offshore wind plan. February 11, 2011, Washington Post
Governor O'Malley proposed offshore wind power mandate. February 9, 2011, Huffington Post
O'Malley introduces offshore wind bill. February 10, 2011, Baltimore Business Journal
Cardin touches on Pepco, transportation during visit with Council. February 9, 2011, Gazette
County planning board approves Science Center scope. February 11, 2011, Patch
Lawmakers want arsenic removed from chicken feed. February 10, 2011, Baltimore Green/Sun blog
Montgomery County gets $15 million in stimulus funds for transit. February 8, 2011, Washington Post
Montgomery County Council members raise possibility of replacing Pepco. February 7, 2011, Gazette
Gazette news link
Washington Post link
Keep scrolling for links to environmental news and links to older stories by category.....
General topics
County Council release on the organizational reform report, February 1, 2011
O'Malley to streamline permitting for some small businesses. January 27, 2011, Daily Record
Officials eye changes to electoral boundaries. January 27, 2011, Washington Post
Pepco outrage: 'Elongated outages must end.' January 31, 2011, TBD
Governor's Legislative Agenda Announced. January 23, 2010, Baltimore Sun
Sen. Raskin's start of the session letter, Maryland Politics Watch, January 2011
Legislative action to pressure utilties makes sense. January 21, 2011, Gazette
Safe Silver Spring's mission is heading off crime. January 14, 2011, Patch
State and local governments team up to fight pollution. January 13, 2011, College Park Patch
State land eyed for solar project. January 13, 2011, Washington Post
CBS Baltimore coverage of the bag bill. January 13, 2011
An infusion for Montgomery County parks. January 12, 2011, Washington Post
Top 10 Green Stories of 2010. Baltimore Sun Green Living. January 3, 2011
2012 State Budget -- Section on the Environment.
Montgomery takes modest priorities to General Assembly. January 19, 2011, Washington Post
State lawmakers to deal with Bay, bags, budget. January 15, 2011, The Capital, Annapolis Hometown
State budget outlook,the worst isn't over. January 13, 2011, Stateline
General Assembly opens with $1.6 billion deficit. January 13, 2011, Patch
O'Malley says cuts to environment are on the table. January 12, 2011, Baltimore Business Journal.
O’Malley may merge environmental agencies. Hometown Annapolis, January 8, 2011
In a recession, it's not easy being green, officials say. Gazette, December 17, 2010
Montgomery County to trim $32.2 million from the budget. Gazette, December 15, 2010
State budget may quash legislative initiatives. Patch, December 13, 2010
Clean Energy
Governor seeks venture capital, wind farms in State of the State speech. February 5, 2011, Wind Watch
Chamber members pooling resources for cleaner, cheaper energy. January 26, 2011. Rockville Patch
Green hopes in Annapolis ride on offshore wind energy. January 26, 2011, Baltimore Sun
Good ideas from O'Malley...January 28, 2011, Offshore Windbiz.com blog
Montgomery Countryside Alliance in the news supporting offshore wind energy. Gazette, January 11, 2011
Story on Maryland offshore wind bill posted by Maryland Reporter.Com. December 26, 2010
Groups push for offshore wind energy in Annapolis, The Capitol, Dec. 5, 2010
CCAN Offshore Wind Energy Meeting in Annapolis, Business Gazette, December 3, 2010
Governor O'Malley announces $2 million clean energy grant program, City Biz List, December 1, 2010
Environmentalists meet to push for offshore wind energy, Baltimore Sun, November 29, 2010
Smart from the Start: Story about offshore wind power in Maryland, November 29, 2010
Sen. Cardin's press release on a wind energy plan, November 23, 2010
Chesapeake Bay
Governor O'Malley proposes ban on new developments with septic systems. February 5, 2011, Bay Daily
Our Bay: Green groups join forces in Annapolis. January 29, 2011, Capital Hometown Annapolis
Governor pledges $25 million toward Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. January 24, 2011, Southern Maryland Online
Lobbying efforts against Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan. January 16, 2011, The Capital, Annapolis Hometown
Van Hollen: Bay bill may get pared down. January 14, 2011, Baltimore Green, Baltimore Sun blog
Farm bureau to Bay: You're on your own. January 12, 2011, Baltimore Green, Baltimore Sun blog
Large fish kill reported in Chesapeake Bay. Centre Daily Times, Jan. 5, 2011
2010 State of the Bay report shows slight improvements in Chesapeake Bay health
EPA unveils massive cleanup plan for the Chesapeake Bay. Washington Post, December 29, 2010
Maryland unveils revised Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan, Baltimore Sun, December 3, 2010
Farmer: Chesapeake Bay cleanup will require collaboration, Frederick Post, December 3, 2010
Agriculture under siege by environmental groups over nutrient plan, Delmarva Media Group, December 2, 2010
Eco-friendly farming should be rewarded, according to University of Maryland, Water World online, December 1, 2010
Chesapeake Bay cleanup would spur economy, Delmarva Media Group, November 29, 2010
Green Space: Trees, Forests and Our Parks 
In Takoma Park, trees triumph over solar panels. January 26, 2011, Gazette
Neighbors rally to save cherry trees. January 19, 2011, Gazette
Champion trees are roots of Montgomery. January 7, 2011, Patch
Compromise reached on McKenney Hills School environmental footprint. Gazette, November 17, 2010
Environmentalists express concern over loss of green space in McKenney Hills. Gazette, October 27, 2010
Green Choices
Maryland-Virginia considering taxing bags. Examiner, January 8, 2011
Del. Al Carr to seek 5-cent charge on bags in Maryland. January 5, 2011, Business Gazette
Head out for a daily dose of green space, New York Times, November 29, 2010
Parks and Green Space, Feelin' the Love, Ann Caffee, Pop City, Oct. 13, 2010
Stormwater 
Cardin Bill to force federal government to pay more for stormwater cleanup passes. December 23, 2010
Environmentalists hail Councilmember Elrich's runoff bill. Gazette, December 16, 2010
Grant money will help restore Booze Creek in Montgomery County. Patch, December 15, 2010
Montgomery County Reaches Compromise with McKenney Hills Environmentalists. Gazette, November 17, 2010
Climate Change and Air Quality
Report: Out-of-state air pollution threatens Maryland. January 26, 2011, Baltimore Sun B'more Green
The Potomac Plunge Against Climate Change. January 24, 2011, The Nation.
Maryland studying emissions around ICC. Washington Post, December 31, 2010
States raiding the fund for the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. NPR, December 19, 2010
Rewarding eco-friendly farming can help combat climate change impacts, Science Blog, December 2, 2010
First U.S. Cap-and-Trade initiative under threat, Change.org Blog, December 2, 2010
Land Use 
County amends new White Flint taxes. February 2, 2011, Gazette
White Flint: Rising to meet the 21st century. February 1, 2011, Washington Examiner
Olney library spared in Leggett's amended capital construction plan. January 26, 2011, Gazette
Council discussion on Takoma Langley plan postponed until Feb. 1. January 26, 2011, Gazette
Planners aim to better connect Bethesda, White Flint, Rockville. January 26, 2011, Gazette
What's to be done with the historic Poole's General Store? January 23, 2011, Washington Examiner
Panel backs Holy Cross Montgomery Bid. January 20, 2011, Washington Post
Scope of Burtonsville neighborhood plan approved. January 14, 2011, Patch
Catch the Chevy Chase Lake sector plan via video. January 13, 2011, Bethesda Patch
Costco's Special Exemption Application Aims to Prove Neighborhood Need. Patch, January 10, 2011
Maryland surpasses annual land conservation goal. Outdoor News Daily, January 5, 2011
King Farm residents hope state will take another look at CCT plans. Gazette, December 29, 2010
Will smart growth or sprawl win in 2011? Greater Washington.org. December 29, 2010 blog
Sustainability and State or Federal Policy 
Washington Post Editorial: It's time for Maryland and Virginia to pass a bag tax. January 25, 2011
Thoughts on the Maryland Legislative Summit. January 27, 2011, Patch
Maryland Bag Bill revived and revamped. January 29, 2011, Patch
Media newswire release on governor's sustainability forum. January 11, 2011
O’Malley convenes forum on sustainability. City Biz List, January 8, 2011
Sen. Cardin stands up for the environment and public health. January 7, Clean Air News
Transportation, Pedestrian Safety and Related Issues
Maryland budget balancing takes toll on transportation. February 5, 2011, Washington Examiner
Purple Line officials launch community work sessions. February 4, 2011, Silver Spring Patch
Capital Bikeshare program expands into Takoma Park. January 30, 2011, Patch
Silver Spring Transit Center opening delayed 6 months. January 26, 2011, Gazette
Development team selected for mixed use project near the Purple Line. January 19, 2011, Gazette
Baltimore Spokes weighs in on State legislative priorities. January 13, 2011
Bethesda-Chevy Chase residents express concerns over pedestrian safety. January 12, 2011, Gazette.
Group eyes easing traffic on I-270. January 12, 2011, Gazette
Some see red over Purple Line. January 12, 2011, Washington Post
Baltimore Spokes January 2011 Newsletter
Civics meet on pedestrian concerns. Gazette, January 8, 2011
Purple Line planners move on to details. January 7, 2011, Washington Post
Silver Spring Cycling. Silver Chips Online. December 28, 2010
Corridor Cities Transitway worries residents of some neighborhoods. Patch,
Dec. 17, 2010
New Corridor Cities Transit Plan pits residents against each other. Gazette, December 16, 2010
Study puts Maryland near the top in transportation choices. Baltimore Sun online, December 14, 2010
ICC contractor fined for pollution violations, Baltimore Sun, December 2, 2010
Maryland's Corridor Cities Transitway would have minor environmental impacts, state study finds, Washington Post, Nov. 30, 2010
Bradley Boulevard pedestrian and bicycle improvements plan, Bethesda Patch, November 29, 2010
ICC work will help waterways, MD officials say... Washington Post, November 26, 2010
Debate heats up over Bradley Boulevard bike path, Bethesda Patch, November 11, 2010
Water Quality
Environmental alarm sounded over chromium in Bethesda water. Gazette, December 22, 2010
Environmental Education
Maryland Undermines proposed environmental education with loophole. January 13, 2011, Bay Daily
State backtracking on environmental education? January 14, 2011, Baltimore Green, Baltimore Sun blog
Maryland Green Schools a Valuable Program. Delmarva Media Group, December 25, 2010
State of Maryland Sets Requirements for Environmental Education, September 22, 2010
Other
Second firm seeking natural gas drilling permit from MDE. January 14, 2011, Bloomberg Business Week
Maryland Environment Secretary Leaves Office, Chicago Tribute, November 23, 2010
News from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments