RE: Environmental concerns in site selection for new Seven Locks E.S.
Dear President Leventhal and Members of the County Council:
It is not the custom of the Sierra Club to weigh in on school issues. However, the long, controversial struggle over closing Seven Locks Elementary and building a new school on a heavily wooded site at the end of Kendale Road has elevated the issue to one of county-wide significance.
The Park and Planning staff review of the project shows a loss of 90% of the forest on the 10.5 acre Kendale site and destruction of over 60 specimen trees. In addition, the review makes special mention of the already severe flooding on the site from the Ken Branch in the Cabin John watershed. Unnecessary loss of additional forest canopy in a watershed already affected by flooding is both irresponsible and potentially dangerous.
Further, we must view with skepticism any assertions by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) that the enhanced storm water facilities required for the Kendale site would be well maintained. Through our efforts with other organizations seeking improvements in the NPDES Permit issued to Montgomery County under the Federal Clean Water Act, we have learned that MCPS is not under the jurisdiction of the county NPDES permit, but rather operates under a separate permit issued by the State of Maryland. Nevertheless, Montgomery County DEP does inspect MCPS storm water management facilities for compliance. Curiously, when MCPS facilities are found not to be in compliance with the mandate to perform routine storm water maintenance, DEP does not report them to the State. It appears that MCPS is not considered accountable for failing to maintain their considerable storm water management facilities.
The most logical solution is to rebuild on the existing Seven Locks School site and avoid environmental losses and dangers presented by the Kendale site. Councilmember Denis’ amendment to the MCPS FY 05-10 CIP, now an option on the table, would do just that. We understand that this amendment has the support of the Seven Locks community.
We therefore urge the Council to support the Denis amendment.
Sincerely,
Anne Ambler, Chair