Anne Arundel County Strengthens Nontidal Wetland Protection Measures
Forested wetlands in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County, Maryland’s Office of Planning and Zoning (OPZ) issued three new Green Notices detailing increases to protection of nontidal wetlands. These notices became effective March 6, 2020, the same day they were issued. OPZ-20-04 updates the sketch and preliminary plan checklists and submittal requirements, OPZ-20-05 includes additional requirements to verify the existence or absence of nontidal wetlands and their buffers, and OPZ-20-06 increases protections and minimum mitigation conditions for nontidal wetlands. These notices are part of the County’s new initiative to improve “transparency in the development and construction review process” which WSSI is monitoring. A summary of each is provided below. WSSI recommends delineating environmental features, including wetlands, early in the site development process, and this is particularly important for sites in Anne Arundel County. Additionally, reviewing a site with County staff may help pave the road for a smoother development process.
Fredericksburg to Implement City-Wide Archeological Ordinance
Grain Elevator at the Germania Mill Complex in Fredericksburg, Virginia
The Fredericksburg, Virginia City Council has initiated amendments to City Code 72, the Unified Development Ordinance, to create an ''Archaeological Preservation District” as an overlay district and to amend the zoning map to include the boundaries of the overlay district. These amendments will satisfy a long-term goal of the City Council, to ensure that the City's archeological record is not lost and to define the city as a historical and cultural destination. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect with the new fiscal year, on July 1, 2020, and will have implications for development projects in the City. Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.'s archeologists can help you navigate the changes; see below for details on this new aspect of City review.
Swamp Pink Surveys Help Avoid Costly Project Delays
It’s time for another season of swamp pink (Helonias bullata) surveys. If your project site will require wetlands permitting and is within or near known swamp pink habitat, you can minimize impacts to your project schedule by having Wetland Studies and Solutions conduct a swamp pink habitat evaluation or survey early in the development process – preferably during the April 15 - May 31 survey window or during the June 1 – September 30 window.
Swamp pink
(Helonias bullata)