27th Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup Set for April 11
Volunteers are needed for this year’s Potomac River Watershed Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 9 a.m. – Noon.
Help improve Charles County's waterways and combat litter by volunteering in a watershed cleanup. Volunteer opportunities range from collecting litter to leading and organizing a cleanup site. Charles County has nearly two dozen established sites and is always interested in welcoming new sites to this program.
Cleanup sites in need of volunteers:
-- Cobb Island
-- Chapel Point State Park (RSVP requested)
-- Mallows Bay (RSVP requested)
-- Marshall Hall
-- Nanjemoy
This is an excellent opportunity for students and scouts to earn community service hours! The Potomac River Watershed Cleanup event will be held rain or shine.
For details, please call the Charles County Department of Public Works, Environmental Resources Division, at 301-932-3599 or visit
www.potomaccleanup.org and click on find an event. Potomac River Watershed Cleanup is made possible with the support of the Charles County Board of Commissioners.
Preliminary Recommendations of Indian Head Joint Land Use Study to be Discussed at March 25 Public Forum
A second public forum will be held for the Indian Head Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) on Wednesday, March 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Village Green Pavilion, 100 Walter Thomas Road, Indian Head. The purpose of the forum is to present the preliminary findings and recommendations of this cooperative land use planning effort and give community members an opportunity to share their inputs.
The Indian Head JLUS, in collaboration with Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head, the Town of Indian Head, and Charles County, is investigating 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.
“We want to share what we’ve learned with the community and get feedback,” says Project Manager Amy Blessinger, Charles County Department of Planning & Growth Management. Citizens are also encouraged to provide input by taking the stakeholder survey on the Indian Head JLUS website,
www.indianheadjlus.com.
“The JLUS is as much about the process as it is the final document,” says Blessinger. “It provides an open forum for dialogue between the community and NSF Indian Head to identify and resolve any issues.”
Through the JLUS, the community and NSF Indian Head are working to identify potential conflicts and strategies to maintain compatibility between community development and Navy missions. The study’s goal is to sustain the Navy mission while supporting continued economic and community growth, as well as protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare.
A preliminary summary of compatibility factors and findings will be placed on the Indian Head JLUS website prior to the meeting. Compatibility issues assessed in the study include:
-- Land Restrictions
-- Noise
-- Community Growth
-- Frequency Spectrum Interference
-- Endangered Species and Critical Habitat
-- Water, Water Quality and Wetlands Protection
-- Historic, Scenic, and Cultural Resources and Viewshed Protection
-- Unexploded Ordnance and Munitions
-- Transport of Hazardous Materials
-- Marine Resources
-- Energy Compatibility and Availability
-- Security (Anti-terrorism and Force Protection)
-- Natural Factors
-- Current and Planned Range Operations
-- Height Restrictions
-- Impacts from Blasts
To learn more about the Indian Head Joint Land Use Study or to provide input, visit
www.indianheadjlus.com or contact Project Manager Amy Blessinger, Department of Planning & Growth Management, at 301-645-0650 or BlessingA@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.
* This news release is provided in partnership with Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head and the Town of Indian Head
Charles County Government Promotes Employee Health
The Healthiest Maryland Businesses campaign named Charles County Government as one of the healthiest businesses in Maryland. Healthiest Maryland Businesses, a statewide campaign, was launched by the Maryland Health Quality and Cost Council to assist employers in creating wellness initiatives for employees. The campaign is aimed to improve employee health, as well as reduce health care costs.
More than 300 businesses in Maryland have joined the Healthiest Maryland Businesses campaign, and over 22 of those are in the southern Maryland region. Some of the current Charles County businesses participating include the Charles County Department of Health, Charles County Public Schools, and the College of Southern Maryland.
Wellness programs at the workplace can motivate healthier eating, increased physical activity, and other positive lifestyle changes. Charles County Government offers a variety of on-site wellness programs for employees. These include the annual health fair, “Lunch and Learns,” and yoga sessions. During “Lunch and Learns,” employees have the opportunity to learn about health-related topics, including managing stress, quitting tobacco, packing healthier lunches, and making lifestyle changes.
“Workplace wellness programs are a win-win for employers and employees,” said Angela Deal, southern regional coordinator for Healthiest Maryland Businesses. “Wellness initiatives have been shown to lower absenteeism and sick leave use, while increasing employee productivity-which has a positive effect on the corporate bottom line.”
There are many benefits for Maryland businesses that join Healthiest Maryland Businesses. Some of these include educational training events and forums, technical assistance on implementing policies and programs, peer-to-peer support from neighboring businesses, and promotion as a member.
All Maryland businesses are encouraged to join the Healthiest Maryland Businesses campaign. For additional information, interested businesses can participate in the Southern Maryland Healthy Business Workshop. This workshop will be held on Friday, April 24 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Southern Maryland Association of REALTORS® (8440 Old Leonardtown Road, Suite 211, Hughesville). To register for the workshop, visit
www.hmbworkshop.eventbrite.com.
For more information about joining Healthiest Maryland Businesses, contact Angela Deal, the southern regional coordinator for Healthiest Maryland Business, at 301-609-6886 or angela.deal@maryland.gov, or visit
www.dhmh.maryland.gov/healthiest/.
Charles County Commissioners’ March Town Hall Meeting Schedule
The public is invited to attend the first quarterly Board of County Commissioners’ Town Hall Meeting as scheduled below. In addition to the town hall meetings hosted by individual Commissioners throughout the year, the full Board of County Commissioners will hold quarterly town hall meetings, with locations rotating throughout the four Commissioner Districts. The purpose of town hall meetings is to take questions from those in attendance and discuss items important to the citizens and the community. All five elected County Commissioners and county department directors are scheduled to attend.
Board of County Commissioners' Town Hall Meeting (District 1)
Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m.
Newburg Fire Department (12265 Rock Point Road, Newburg)
Future town hall meeting dates are available online at
www.CharlesCountyMD.gov.
For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or PressRoom@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866-269-9006.