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Even before a landowner cut 130 mature trees along the C&O Canal in 2004 and got slapped with a fine, Montgomery County had trouble with its Forest Conservation Law. The law is confusing and inadequate — forest cover in the county decreased from 45 percent in 1973 to 28 percent in 2000 and has continued to decline since then.

More than a year ago, Councilmember Marc Elrich proposed amendments (Bill 37-07) to the law that would clarify and strengthen it. He sought a goal of "no net loss" of forestlands, in part, by protecting smaller tracts, by encouraging preservation of forests during development, and by requiring longer maintenance periods on replanted areas to increase survival rates.
 
These (or any tougher amendments), however, have yet to pass. And while Montgomery County residents wait, forest cover continues to be lost.
 
>> Urge Councilmember Nancy Floreen, chair of the committee dealing with this issue, to work quickly to pass amendments that will strengthen the Forest Conservation Law.
 
>> Let County Executive Ike Leggett know that you care about a natural resource that improves our water quality and reduces global emissions.

Montgomery County residents have waited long enough!
 

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