County Stormwater Research Campaign Complete
Results Summary Available Online
Charles County is dedicated to keeping our local watersheds and waterways free from pollution to maintain healthy and productive ecosystems. Residents, businesses, and county government all play a role in creating an environment that is safe and healthy for everyone.
In the spring of 2014, planning staff kicked off a stormwater research campaign to quantify the baseline knowledge of Charles County residents when talking about stormwater runoff pollution. The results from the research effort are now available to the public.
To view the research findings summary, click here or copy and paste the link into your browser:
http://CharlesCountyMD.gov/sites/default/files/pgm/planning/sw_researchsummary.pdf
For more information, contact Rachel O’Shea at 301-396-5237 or OsheaR [at] CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.
Indian Head Joint Land Use Study Underway
Area Residents Encouraged to Participate
In Charles County, nestled between the Potomac River, the Mattawoman Creek, and the Town of Indian Head, is one of the Navy’s key research and development facilities, Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head. Since its commissioning in 1890, NSF Indian Head operations and mission have transformed and the surrounding community has continued to change and grow. To ease growing pains and encourage cooperative planning between surrounding communities and the naval base, Charles County is sponsoring a year-long Joint Land Use Study (JLUS).
“Charles County is supporting the JLUS effort to ensure we have a solid growth plan that meets both our residents and Navy’s needs,” says Charles County Commissioner President Candice Quinn Kelly. “It is my hope that the JLUS will provide a forum for open communication among residents, town and county officials, and the Navy.”
Military bases and their host communities have a strong, mutually beneficial relationship. However, residential and commercial development can put pressure on the operational mission of an active military base. Military operations can also impact surrounding communities. The JLUS, in collaboration with NSF Indian Head, the Town of Indian Head, and Charles County, will investigate how changes in land use around the installation could affect the Navy’s mission, as well as how current and future operations at the base may impact the surrounding areas.
“The JLUS is a planning tool,” explains Project Manager Amy Blessinger, Charles County Department of Planning & Growth Management. “It will help the county and Navy identify their needs for future growth and address any concerns.”
Through the JLUS, the community and NSF Indian Head will work to identify potential issues and strategies to help maintain compatibility between community development and Navy missions. A group of county, town, installation, and community representatives are overseeing the JLUS and helping to develop recommendations.
“The JLUS is a great opportunity for our community to forge a stronger relationship with the Navy,” says Charles County Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2), who serves on one of the JLUS planning committees. “By working together to prepare for future growth, we can create a plan that will allow both our community and the Navy to thrive.”
The public’s help is also needed to identify impacts and find solutions. A series of public forums will present information on the JLUS and give area residents opportunities to provide input. The first forum is planned for fall 2014, and details will be available at http://www.indianheadjlus.com. Planning meetings are also held on a regular basis and are open to the public for observation.
“The process encourages open and continuous dialogue,” says Blessinger. “Community input is crucial for the success of the JLUS.”
To learn more about the Indian Head Joint Land Use Study, visit http://www.indianheadjlus.com or contact Project Manager Amy Blessinger, Department of Planning & Growth Management, at 301-645-0650 or BlessingA [at] charlescountymd.gov.
The Indian Head Joint Land Use Study is sponsored by Charles County and funded by a Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) grant.