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Dear Friends of Save Font Hill Wetlands Park,
Maryland streams need our help. I am writing to bring a new stream protection bill to your attention and to ask for your support.
This bill would require that an alternative local watershed plan be considered before any stream restoration or floodplain project is authorized. If an alternative is deemed infeasible and restoration proceeds, the project must demonstrate measurable biological uplift before credits are issued. This legislation aims to provide necessary guidance and accountability to the Whole Watershed Act. You can find a summary of the bill here: https://www.environmentenergyleader.com/stories/maryland-bill-would-limit-stream-restoration-credits,114845 (https://www.environmentenergyleader.com/stories/maryland-bill-would-limit-stream-restoration-credits,114845)
The bill has been cross-filed, meaning identical versions are moving through both the Senate and the House. To become law, both must pass. This provides two opportunities to submit testimony or testify; you may use the same testimony for both if you wish, provided you update the bill number, date, and recipients.
Senate Bill: SB688- Sponsor: Senator Mary Washington
- Hearing: March 3rd at 1:00 PM
- Deadline: Witness sign-up and testimony must be submitted on February 27th between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM ONLY
House Bill: HB1465- Sponsors: Delegates Terrasa, Ruth, and Lehman
- Hearing: March 11th at 1:00 PM
- Deadline: Witness sign-up and testimony must be submitted on March 9th between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. ONLY
You can review the bill text here: https://legiscan.com/MD/text/SB688/id/3352123 (https://legiscan.com/MD/text/SB688/id/3352123) (proposed changes begin on page 5 in bold caps).
Please refer to the instructions below for signing up to testify by zoom or in person, and submitting testimony for the Senate (EEE FAQs) and the House (ENT FAQs). If you are unable to write a statement, you can still support the bill by selecting the "Favorable" option during the sign-up process. I can't express enough how important it is for our Maryland legislators to hear your voices on this matter.
I have a sample letter(see below) that you are welcome to copy and paste and edit and personalize as you wish, but please feel free to write your own testimony and mention why this bill matters to you if time permits. Please reach out if you have any questions at all.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our environment, and Font Hill Wetlands Park.
Very Sincerely,
Sharon Boies
For SB688 your testimony should be addressed to -
Chairman Feldman, Vice Chair Kagan, and Members of the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee
For HB1465 your testimony should be addressed to -
Chairman Korman, Vice Chair Guyton, and Members of the Environment and Transportation Committee

I am writing to you today as a resident of [Neighborhood Name] to express my strong support for (SB688 or HB1465).
As a (resident or citizen or taxpayer) directly impacted (or who stands to be directly impacted) by a local stream restoration project, I was deeply concerned to find that I did not receive (any or timely) prior notification regarding the work planned for our neighborhood park. This lack of transparency is troubling, especially given the significant environmental impacts involved.
(ADD YOUR OWN PERSONAL NOTE HERE if you wish) OR The current project proposal would remove critical bird and wildlife habitat in our community. I am particularly concerned that the removal of trees and established vegetation will allow invasive species to move in and contribute to the creation of an urban heat island in our area.
I am in favor of (SB688 or HB1465) because it supports more sustainable and less intrusive alternatives. I believe we should focus on an alternative plan that captures runoff where it occurs within the neighborhood. Strategies such as installing infiltration bio retentions, rain gardens, bay-scaping, increasing tree plantings, and providing grants for permeable pavers are effective ways to manage stormwater without destroying existing ecosystems.
I urge the committee to issue a favorable report on (SB688 or HB1465) to ensure better communication with residents and to prioritize environmentally sound infrastructure solutions.
Thank you for your time and for your service to our community.

Your Name Here

Habitat Destruction
Wildlife Impacts
Waste of Taxpayers $$$
Lack of Scientific Support
Request that the County mark the Limit of Disturbance (area where heavy machines will disturb soil) NOW
Request that the County mark ALL trees to be removed and tag and uniquely ID all trees to be saved NOW
Did a biologist assess the impact to wildlife caused by this work and the destruction of habitat?
Feel free to cut and paste or copy from this website or the letter below by Sharon Boies.

Email All Council Members at:

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Phone: 410-313-2001
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Phone: 410-313-2001
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 410-313-2001
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 410-313-2001
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 410-313-2001
Email: [email protected]

Phone: (410) 841-3077, (301) 858-3077
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Phone: 410-841-3246
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Phone: 410-841-3378
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 410-841-3205
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Phone: 410-841-3671, 301-858-3671
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 410-841-3653
Email: [email protected]

Phone: 202-225-4016
Email: https://sarbanes.house.gov/contact