Monday, September 29, 2008

Dorchester County Announces Public Workshops

The Dorchester County Office of Planning and Zoning will be hosting several public workshops to discuss the Water Resources Element of the Dorchester County Comprehensive Plan. Two workshops with the same content-will be held. Dates and locations for these workshops are as follows:

Cambridge: September 30,2008, at 6:00 pm, 501 Court Lane, Room 110, County Office Building

Vienna: October 2,2008, at 6:00 pm, 104 Race Street, Community Hall, (Old Fire Station)

The Water Resources Element is a new requirement, pursuant to the provisions of Maryland House Bill 1141 (2006).

As part of this element, the County must evaluate the following:

· the adequacy of its public water systems to serve projected growth;

· the impact of growth on aquifers (including residential and non-residential water demand in rural areas) and other drinking water sources; and

· the impact of growth on runoff ("nonpoint source" pollution) to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

The County must also coordinate with its municipalities to characterize the adequacy of their public water and wastewater systems to accommodate growth.

Public input is an important component of the Dorchester County Comprehensive Plan, and specifically the Water Resources Element. The Water Resources Workshop will help to refine the County's understanding of existing water resources conditions and concerns, and will also help to shape the Comprehensive Plan's recommendations related to growth and development.

Please make plans to attend one of these workshops and make your voice heard. If you cannot attend the workshops but wish to comment on the Water Resources Element, or if you have questions or need more information, please contact the Office of Planning and Zoning at 410.228.3234 or via email at rbanks@docogonct.

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