LEONARDTOWN, Md. (March 30, 2010)—The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County today approved the first nine locations in the county to receive funds from the Green Community Initiative (GCI) for tree plantings, critical area plantings or reforestation. The Green Community Initiative is funded by fees from developers of residential and commercial projects who have been required to pay "fees-in-lieu" in order to comply with the State's Forest Conservation Act and Critical Areas Law. Harry Knight, Permits Coordinator, Land Use and Growth Management Department, developed the Green Community Initiative and will administer it.
The following community projects were selected for the first round of GCI funds:
-- Villas on Waters Edge Shoreline Erosion Control Project is being managed by the County's Department of Public Works and Transportation. This construction will restore a waterfront boardwalk and stone revetment to prevent further erosion along the Chesapeake Bay. The $8,641 will help enhance the final appearance of this existing waterfront community.
-- Wicomico Shores Golf Course near the Wicomico River is a municipal golf course overlooking the Wicomico River. $10,315 will be provided to enhance the appearance of the Clubhouse grounds.
-- Talton, Burch and Horstkamp properties are privately owned and DNR has prepared planting plans to create new or enhance existing forests. The GCI fund will provide $7,593, $8,329 and $6,226 respectively to facilitate these projects.
-- The grounds surrounding the Patuxent Building on the Governmental Center Campus in Leonardtown has a planting plan. This plan has been designed to improve the stormwater management of the building and be a model for other buildings. The GCI fund will provide $23,090 for this project.
-- Patuxent Habitat for Humanity is building houses on property donated by the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County at Fenwick Ridge in Lexington Park. The GCI fund will provide $3,720 to enhance the final appearance of this new community.
-- The Department of Recreation & Parks is replacing trees at the following County parks: Dorsey, Chaptico, Baggett, Lancaster, Cardinal Gibbons, 5th and 7th District. This tree-planting project will receive $20,611.
-- The Three Notch Trail Phase 5 will be under construction in the Summer of 2010 and will receive $22,500 for plantings.
The Green Community Initiative began collecting these fees several years ago and will disburse another round when additional projects are approved.
Source: Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County