Studies
Studies and reports commissioned by the Potomac River Association
-
Opportunities To Improve Environmental Protection In The Critical Area Of Saint Mary’S County: A Preliminary Analysis
The Potomac River Association retained Community & Environmental Defense Services (CEDS) to evaluate major development projects approved for sites in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area of Saint Mary’s County between 2002 and 2005. The Association’s goal was to identify opportunities to improve the level of protection afforded the fish, wildlife, and human uses associated with the critical area.
-
Saint Mary’s County Quality of Life & Stormwater: A Citizens Guide to Preserving Aquatic Assets by Maximizing Stormwater Management Benefits
The Association approved and commissioned the publication of this citizens guide and the accompanying training presentation in response to the critical area report developed by Community & Environmental Defense Services (CEDS).
CEDS recommended developing a program to recruit and train volunteers in methods for evaluating stormwater facilities for maintenance needs. In the past, similar programs have been highly effective in both identifying key opportunities to enhance environmental protection and in generating a countywide base of public support. This support then made it possible for government agencies to enhance existing protection efforts or to launch new initiatives. The Association approved the recommendation and commissioned the publication of this citizens guide and the accompanying training presentation.
Friends
Green Southern Maryland - www.GreenSoMD.com
Green Southern Maryland promotes environmental awareness within the Southern Maryland region of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties by providing environmental news, a calender of events, a directory of green organizations and businesses, discussion forums and more.
Contact Us
cforms contact form by delicious:days
Current Campaigns
-
Stormwater Management
In late 2007, PRA conducted an analysis of several stormwater management structures in or near the critical areas. Many of these structures had been built by developers in exchange for the county’s permission to build on or disturb sensitive areas near the waters’ edge. PRA’s analysis revealed that all of the systems were in various states of failure and not performing the protective role they were designed for—they had been allowed to fall into disrepair. An additional, cursory survey suggested that a majority, if not all, of the hundreds of such installations in the county might be in similar states of neglect and non-performance. PRA forwarded its study to the county agency in charge of such things. The report was well-received and follow-up action was promised by the county. At this point PRA has not yet seen adequate progress on this matter and is planning on recruiting and training citizen volunteers who can evaluate stormwater management systems and identify non-performing systems. PRA will contribute its resources to help the county do its job, but at some point PRA expects the county to improve its monitoring and enforcement efforts.
-
Air Quality Monitoring
Over the years, many residents of Piney Point have complained of foul, chemical odors in the air and the evidence of airborne particulate matter that they could occasionally see on their cars. Their complaints to government officials did not result in any investigation or action. In 2007 PRA spent $3,000 to buy a high volume air sampling machine. We lent the machine to St. Mary’s College to sample and analyze air in Piney Point. Preliminary analysis of a month’s worth of data showed extraordinary levels of certain pollutants and hazardous particulates. Further study is planned to see if these toxins originate from the petroleum storage and trans-shipment facility in Piney Point or elsewhere. This research is not cheap, but if government will not do it, PRA must. It seems that for the past forty years the PRA has spent a lot of its time trying to get government to do what it should have been doing all along.
Past Campaigns
It would be difficult to list all the actions that PRA has initiated or supported. Some of the group’s more significant efforts are described below to indicate the scope of the organization’s interests and tactics. Many PRA-led initiatives have ended up as court cases. Legal action is not the preferred mechanism of action but it has proven effective and the PRA does not hesitate to make use of it. One of the organization’s defining characteristics is its tenacity; the PRA does not back down and does not let go. However, gentle advocacy and cooperation are the preferred routes to success.
-
Myrtle Point and Public Access to the Water
Myrtle Point is a 192 acre tract of land on the Patuxent River that exhibits the most attractive and interesting aspects of Southern Maryland . It is a beautiful peninsula of pristine and diverse habitats, and contains evidence of some of the earliest habitation by Native American peoples. A portion of the Park is a designated FID (Forest Interior Dwelling) area. Myrtle Point has a great variety of wildlife, from river otters, mink, and cottontail rabbits to diamond-backed terrapins, green frogs, and salamanders. There are hawks, herons, owls, warblers, and eagles. Since the early 1970s the PRA has fought to protect this land and has urged county government to purchase the site. Finally in 1997 a combination of circumstances allowed the PRA to mobilize public interest and the property was purchased using Open Space Funds for the benefit of enjoyment of all. The acquisition of Myrtle Point for a public access natural area was a sweet success for PRA, the culmination of a thirty year effort.
PRA has financed an independent study to identify other waterfront sites that the county should consider purchasing to improve water access for its citizens. Citizens aren’t going to care about protecting the health of the waterways if they cannot experience the waterways.
-
Land records
In the 1980s the PRA realized that the county was neglecting to record the subdivision of lots as required by state law. Years of neglect had put the county in the position of not even being able to say how many buildable lots existed in the county. Homeowners were paying lawyers to record the deeds, but the proper paperwork was never filed. For many reasons the PRA saw this as an abdication of responsibility on the part of the county and urged that the proper procedures be re-introduced. Unfortunately, legal action was ultimately required—the St. Mary’s County government rejected PRA’s arguments and PRA financed the case through two appeals. The Court of Appeals of St. Mary’s County ruled the county had to comply with state law and do what PRA had suggested it do four years earlier.
-
Stormwater Management
In 1998 PRA contacted the developers of First Colony before they started construction on the shopping center that now includes Lowes, Target and Staples. The two organizations cooperated in designing a water runoff management system for the complex that was more effective than the designs required by local and state law. The PRA financed land analysis and engineering studies as part of this collaboration and was happy to do it. (See also the description on this website of current PRA activities in the area of stormwater management.)
-
Quality of life and Cultural issues
PRA was instrumental in the reconsideration of the siting of the St. Mary’s College Science Building. The current location is less threatening to environmental and archeological resources than the site originally proposed.
PRA was instrumental in the county’s acquisition and restoration of the Piney Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is now recognized as a tourist destination and an asset to the economy and identity of the local community.
PRA has been pushing for the inclusion of natural lighting in school buildings citing studies that show improved academic performance and health in students with schools that have windows. This struggle continues.
-
Community issues
PRA has sponsored or supported numerous community groups that wish to take on specific issues. Community members from the Chingville Road area and from Breton Bay, the Friends of Myrtle Point, and others have received financial, legal or research support from the PRA.
In its forty years of advocacy PRA has invested many dollars in research and analysis. The group has commissioned studies on water quality and nutrient loading in the streams and tributaries of St. Mary’s County, the performance and effectiveness of current engineering and regulatory practices, and many other issues. PRA has funded legal counsel to support and advance its mission to protect the environment and encourage enlightened land use planning and management.
Potomac River Association
POTOMAC RIVER ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING
Menhaden vs. Oysters: Battle of the Bay Filters
NOVEMBER 13, THURSDAY, 6:30 pm
LEXINGTON PARK LIBRARY
Two of the region’s most committed environmentalists will speak about two of the region’s most important species.
For Information: Dudley
Lindsley: 301-373-2551; E-mail: dlindsley@verizon.net
The PRA is one of the oldest environmental groups in Maryland. It was founded as the Potomac River Association in 1967 to oppose the siting of an oil refinery on the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County. After a hard-fought and ultimately successful grassroots campaign, the organization realized that the struggle for protection of the environment and for enlightened land use is an ongoing struggle. The organization merged with the Patuxent River Association in 1983. The PRA continues to serve as advocate and watchdog for the land and waterways of Southern Maryland.
The PRA is incorporated as a nonprofit educational and charitable organization. Its funds are derived from membership dues, member contributions and grants.