Climate change is not going away.
The world and this nation are trying to either respond to climate change or bury their heads in the sand. The reality for each and every community must be to take local initiatives, to look at local resources and local leadership and to do what we can do. We must develop and execute a local plan that fits into a regional plan, and beyond.
We, in the Annapolis and Eastport communities, are watching several large construction projects coming to fruition. Some of the largest projects are sponsored by the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC). Interestingly, the organizational structure of the AYC is such that the membership of the Club is comprised of the owners. It is, then, reasonable to expect that the owners/members (made up of approximately 3,000 families – probably many of whom are local) would require that all construction and site work would be of the highest environmental quality.
Any reasonable person would expect that these AYC owners, who have so much, would want to ensure that they provide for and leave a legacy of high environmental quality for future generations. One would think that these AYC owners would give, and demand, accountability and responsibility for the very resources they rely on… water and air.
If we were preparing a report card to evaluate the AYC owners’ performance on the impacts their projects are having on the environment, they have earned failing grades.
Let’s be specific:
- During construction they have been fined multiple times for construction run-off (mud and other construction debris running into Spa Creek) Still happening!!
- They have removed homes with lawns and backyards that had the ability to absorb rainwater and replaced them with impervious surfaces which will add to rain or snow melt run-off for at least the life-time of everyone reading this post. This crime against the environment will occur and recur unimpeded, adding to the primary problem of increasing run-off, but it will also compound 2nd and 3rd order impacts of water pollution.
- They have taken open land and covered it with over-sized buildings. The roofs of these buildings have significant surface area allowing for more run-off. (They also removed trees and other plantings.)
- How is the landscaping the A YC is planning helping to capture CO2? Are they going for ornamentation or are they going for environmental protection? Are the trees and shrubs the best and most efficient at capturing CO2?
They are tone-deaf on environmental considerations. Based on the metrics associated with the protection and promotion of environmental quality, the AYC strikes out.
We are all victims of their selfish decisions: Do what is best, convenient and, presumably, the most expeditious for them (this must be the motto they get tattooed on as they become members) to the short-and long-term detriment of the overall community.
Having attended a number of Eastport, City Council, Planning & Zoning Community meetings and Alcohol Beverage Control Board meetings it is shocking to hear the softball questions that AYC had to answer for their projects and liquor licenses. They were clearly given a free pass on all matters.
Why wouldn’t they take the easy way out? The City authorities don’t hold them accountable; they do not appear to have any self-directed sense of responsibility or accountability. They operate at our environmental expense. We lose.
By the way, these concerns are also totally applicable to the Crystal Spring Forest project. Let’s not go with the expeditious and short-term building project; look instead at the long-term matters of importance… Keep and preserve the Forest!
What is wrong with these people?
Look to Martin Luther for guidance. He is quoted as saying:
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.
“God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.”
In my own words: Plant a tree, do not decimate a forest!
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