News from the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Stronger Shore land use agreement encouraged
Counties asked to adopt updated version

This fall Eastern Shore Land Conservancy is launching a stronger version of the ground-breaking land use agreement that set high expectations for the Eastern Shore, and was adopted by Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot and Dorchester counties in 2002.

The updated Eastern Shore 2010 agreement calls for: reaching regional goals in land protection; strengthening the farming, fishing, and forestry industries; managing the amount and type of new development; and creating a regional transportation plan, by 2010.

“Our Eastern Shore counties must intensify efforts to manage new growth on the Shore so it remains a special place,” said George Maurer, director of land use planning. “The alarming growth projections from the Maryland Department of Planning and the possibility of another Bay Bridge must be taken seriously.”

According to the state, about 160,000 new residents will make the Eastern Shore their home in the next 25 years – adding more than 70,000 new houses and consuming approximately 262,000 acres of farms and forests.

The Eastern Shore 2010 agreement was strengthened this year by the land conservancy in response to this increased growth pressure facing the Shore in the next few decades.

The updated agreement specifically proposes that local counties: provide a minimum amount of funds for land protection; implement their economic development plans supporting the farming, fishing and forestry industries; direct 80 percent of new growth to villages and towns; set a maximum annual growth rate; create a plan for workforce housing; and suggest alternatives to another Bay Bridge, including transit and traffic management.

“Action toward these goals must begin now,” said Rob Etgen, executive director. “The window of opportunity to save our beautiful farms, rivers, and forests is quickly closing.”

Show your support for Eastern Shore 2010 and sign the petition at http://www.eslc.org/actioncenter/index.php. A copy of the full agreement and background information is also available there.

Back to News