Date:
To:
US Army Corps of Engineers
Baltimore
District
Re:
Extension
wetlands permit review status
We require the right to review the Army
Corp of Engineers’ files on the proposed Charles County Cross County Connector
Extension
The plans call for extending the Cross-County Connector
as a four-lane highway from
We contend that the highway extension, which would cut
through relatively lightly populated areas, would lead to deforestation and
sprawl. The development that would follow construction of the highway, would
threaten to pollute Mattawoman Creek and endanger its inhabitants.
The one sure way to protect the quality of our streams is
to protect the land that is on the watershed. The creek is believed to have one
of the most unspoiled watersheds in the state. Bald eagles nest in the forested
land near the creek, which is a nursery ground for migratory fish in the
Bass fishing in the creek is so popular that the
Mattawoman is the home base for national fishing tournaments. The tournaments
help fuel the county's major bass fishing industry, which is believed to
contribute as much as $25 million to the economy each year.
Scott Sewell, who fishes the creek and is conservation
director of the Maryland Bass Foundation, said the creek is a "gem"
-- the best creek for spawning and fishing in the state.
The connector is not a state financed project as they,
the state, felt it was not a necessary expenditure; the county bears the cost
of it in its entirety...in the area of $70 million and ever escalating.
Update:
The Sierra Club was contacted by Michael Fraer, Legal
Assistant for the ACOE. Reply as
follows:
“A preliminary determination has been made to grant your
request. Once any responsive records
have been received and reviewed by this office, we will notify you so that a
time can be set up for you to come in and review the files.”
The Sierra Club is following up.