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Will This Maryland Wetland Soon Become Concrete? - Part 1

For the next few weeks, I'm going to share with you weekly photos of the wetlands on the west side of Route 3 in Crofton, Maryland. Enjoy them while you can because the property owner has somehow managed to obtain a permit from the Maryland Department of the Environment to develop this natural wetlands area into a site for a big-box store.

Community residents and activists successfully drove Walmart away and assumed the issue was dead. Little did we know that the permit process continued. Even if we had known it, who could have imagined that our state Department of the Environment would allow development of this 20-acre parcel along the Little Patuxent River.

It is, after all, within the bounds of a designated State Scenic River, in the critical area, and it is a part of the Patuxent Greenway System established to protect “important” lands.

Many thanks to Dick Lahn for this description of the area and to Kathryn Para for her photo. More information and more photos will follow over the next 4-6 weeks.

Route 3 Wetlands

By the way, if you click through to this Letter to the Editor by Dick Lahn, you will see his two photos of this area 30-40 years ago, when it was known as Walch's Grove. The difference between then and now really is mind-boggling - but not as much as it will be if this area is paved over in concrete for future generations.

Will This Maryland Wetland Soon Become Concrete - Part II

Posted by Margaret Woda, Maryland Real Estate on 10/26/2009 06:41 AM

Comments (34)

Conservation in the Regional (Localism) Channel

route 3 wetland, crofton maryland

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34 Comments on Will This Maryland Wetland Soon Become Concrete? - Part 1

OCT

Margaret, tomorrow I go to Fayetteville,TN to finally close my great-aunt's estate. 2 Saturdays ago we sold her 95 acre farm at auction. Though it's not the same thing, I've been very conscious lately about loosing our beautiful American land to development.

I know that we can't stop progress, but our WETLANDS? I did, indeed follow the link. What beautiful pictures. To think that someday kids won't have these places to go "play" is so terribly sad. I'll be following your blogging on this.

Sad, sad.

Home owners have been limited in the improvements they can make to their own property if they are anywhere near a "bog" or stream or any other waterway. Yet a commerical site with no interest in the area other than the $$$$$$ can manage to obtain a permit to destroy the same land.

Mmmmm. Could this be Maryland politics as usual at work????

Margaret...

In tough times, politicians will sacrifice the environment for jobs ... at least let's hope that is their reasoning.

Connie - Living in a highly-developed area outside of Washington, D.C., I don't have much exposure to the beauty of nature. I did have that when I walked this property with the current owner 20-some years ago before he purchased it. This was a magical wonderland of wildflowers and nature's creatures, and we don't have much of that around here.

Lenn - Really, who could have imagined the Maryland Department of the Environment would grant such a permit! As far as I can tell, the process required buy-in by Federal authorities, as well. 'Just goes to prove no one should take "common sense" for granted, when it comes to government's integrity on the environment.

Richard - In another area, I could buy that argument. However, Maryland's employment is nowhere near the national numbers. We are, after all, just outside Washington, D.C. where employment opportunities are numerous in our growing U.S. government. We're also in the midst of a 22,000-jobs growth cycle under BRAC 2005. (There goes "jobs" as an excuse!)

Even here we sometimes have to jump through some interesting hurdles to develop lowlands/wetlands. It's not impossible, but I can't imagine they would approve paving a wetlands area for a WalMart. At the end of the day it's about land use, and this seems a poor choice.

Margaret, I am shocked! We can't spit here on wetlands. There are so many rules and regulations, I can't even keep track of what fish/reptile/mammal make it a protected place. But money talks... what a shame. Shame on them, I hope something can be done. Another example of our government hard at work lining their own pockets.

Margaret, quite a change over 30 years. Along the way a little diversion was made to allow somebody else to build, and so on and so on until you have reached the point where the river will disappear form view and be channeled into underground pipes. All in the interest of creating jobs and progress, yet there are few real jobs and more of a false economy.

Margaret:

Wetland restrictions are very strict here. And, there are reasons for it. In this time of environmental awareness, I am surprised to hear about what is happening in Maryland and will be interested to hear whether or not they actually go through with it. Is anyone fighting it?

Margaret - What Hipocracy! I posted last week about one of our clients that couldn't get a small variance on their property and were well below impervious surface requirements! But let the $$$ flow and see what happens. Too bad this doesn't grab the attention of the local media!!

It is very discouraging when the agencies which are supposed to protect the interests of the citizens are "bought" by the big corporations. This happens over and over again. There seems to be no way to stop this kind of thing. Very unfortunate.

Margaret.. This is quiet a change from 30 to 40 years ago. The picture of the two in the canoe is the same shot of where the stream is today? This is so sad that this land is going to be developed.. I hope you can stop this.. just the way you did Walmart.

valerie osterhoudt

Yes, I think that's the biggest surprise... that the Maryland Department of the Environment would grant this permit. You will learn more about this in a future installment, revealing the potential trade of this natural wetland for a "developed" wetland owned by a nearby community. Stay tuned.

Never assume with MD state govt. I've seen this before when neighbors defeated a development bill in Four Corners, MD that would bring stores, a hotel, parking lots, etc. They were barely popping their champagne corks when they found out the govt. was going to give the land over to build Blair High School.

If only Wetlands could pay taxes then I would say you would might be OK...

I always here from "outsiders" that "us realtors" are always looking to sell, sell, sell and "line our pockets with money" at the sacrifice to preserving our towns and parks and yet I can think of no ther profession that is so profoundly aware of the importance of open space and keeping the beauty of nature. I live and work in New Jersey where it is more densely populated per square mile than India and yet as realtors we are always looking for ways to preserve parks and open space to enhance our local communities....Thank you for your thoughtful post and good luck!

Hi Marilyn What could they be thinking. This is sad really sad. That is just not a good idea. Is there anything that can be done?

How Sad, Margaret!

This is very sad news. I am so sorry.

I am so sick of progress at any cost. Just what we need, more ugly, it looks the same as every other center, big box center. Think about what our grandchildren's world will be like. That is a sad thought unless we stop embracing progress at any cost.

Unbelievable. At a time when so many eyes are focused on the environment that the government would let this pass.

Is it a done deal already? Did Ducks Unlimited get involved? We had a similar situation with Walmart lately. The County voted to go against the master plan to let a super store in...the residents defeated it and Walmart closed on the land last month....seams that back office meetings went on.

Hi Margaret,

I didn't have time to read all the comments though I hope to later today. I will bookmark this. This is unfortunately a subject with which I am all too familiar....

On a personal level...Toll brothers was allowed to develop a large plot right above my home about 12 years ago. Those who didn't have water issues in our area now have them. They clear cut the woods and "replanted" leaving a token bush as "landscaping." Trouble is - where does the water go? Into everyone's basement - that's where. Beyond the long term implications - the short term heavy rain and get th buckets to bail issue isn't at all funny or amusing.

You see "White Plains" was the name given to our area by the Indians. It was called the "land of white fog." In other words, the city is built on giant wetlands that the Indians could see from the water vapor! So this is the perfect place to build 4 skyscrapers from 39-42 stories in height? Right? WRONG! The neighboring towns are also getting flooded and if we don't better protect our wetlands from development, we are most likely going to get sued by these municipalities that are "downstream" and sit on the Mamaroneck River. During one very nasty storm a neighbor of mine had water up to her knees in the basement and her back yard looked like a swimming pool. The town of Mamaroneck had a disaster in which FEMA was called in and many were left permanently homeless. Many believe that overbuilding the Whit Plains downtown may have created permanent problems for Mamaroneck.

Right now we have an issue with a golf course that is sitting on top of a vein of the Mamaroneck River. The golf course is up for sale - but much of it is lowlands and wetlands. Since it is in a prime residential neighborhood - builders are salivating even in this slow market. I wrote a blog about the golf course earlier this year - If you want, I would post the link. I've written a few things on development, building and planning and wetlands factor high as issues for our area. But builders just seem to "get away with it."

Sorry for the rant - its just that its so sad to see.

Yes, the permit is in hand, and I will provide a link to it in a future installment to this series. Don't know about Ducks Unlimited, but I'll pass that on to the community activists leading the fight.

One of the things about this that amazes me is that this is a Democratic administration and legislature in MD - not to mention the White House. Aren't they supposed to be the ones who care about conservation? I guess we need to find some rare insect on the property so they'll have to withdraw approval.

"They paved paradise . . . and put up a parking lot"

Joni Mitchell : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWwUJH70ubM

Margaret..You go girl..Let's try to protect the wetlands wildlife and our environment not only for us but for future generations.... I was just watching a documentary on the Polar Bears ..and they are on the verge of extinction...We must protect out natural resources..I am proud to be your friend..Looking forward to your next post..Thanks

HELPFULHANNAH

This leaves me shaking my head in bewilderment Margaret. I too thought this Democrat administration was supposed to be sensitive to these kinds of issues. As the months go by one by one my balloons are being popped one by one. Sadly it seems it is always about the $$$.

Denise

Wow - the difference IS amazing - we had a similar issue close by where a private school wanted to develop a site. They did ensure that the wetland was preserved, though, and now many people can still enjoy the ecology of that site. I'm sorry that the removal of the wetlands is happening in your area. It really disrupts the balance of the eco-system.

Margaret -

I am really distressed by your post. Wetlands are not always well understood by the general public but they play a vital role in environmental issues that all of us should be concerned about. We faced a similar situation along the GW Parkway near National (oops Ronald Regan) Airport and fortuately nature prevailed. Keep up the good work. Is there a petition we can sign?

Margaret:

This distresses me. I don't think natural beauty should be sacrificed for a big-box store. I don't think it is progress but a step backwards.

Hi Margaret. That is terrible. Unfortunately this is happening on Maui too. ~ Lana

Margaret~ oh, how I hate to see things like this happen. Do we really need to develope every bit of earth on the planet? I am with Michael, wetlands serve a purpose. I think people need to be educated about wetlands and the purpose they serve.

Margaret, a box company? It seems like such a waste to destroy the integrity of such beautiful property for...a box company? As if there aren't any other suitable potential sites. Such a shame!

Margaret, What are they thinking!! We have a lot of lowlands and when progress happens it often changes the flow of the water and sometimes people flood who have never flooded. I hope you don't end up with that kind of a problem also. It is so pretty what a shame!

Generally I am in favor of development and allowing the public to do what is reasonable with the land they own. I guess i also struggle with this decision.

OCT

A Big Box store...Are they kidding...what are they thinking. Great photo!

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