March 2015
THE C & O CANAL – OUR POTOMAC COMMUNITY FRONT YARD
President’s Letter – by Susanne Lee
But the proposal also hit a deeper chord. The Canal is like no other National Park in its draw. Because of its unique configuration, geology, historic significance, multiple recreational uses, biodiversity, and close proximity, it is more like a treasured front yard, even if we live many miles away. We are drawn to it again and again like no other park in the area, sometimes on a weekly or even daily basis. Just walking the towpath alongside the mighty Potomac River is to engage in our nation’s history. Family histories are still tied to the Canal lock houses, family traditions continue to be built on the outdoor activities and recreation provided by the Canal and Potomac River, and many hikers and bicyclists still follow that familiar route along the towpath from Georgetown to Frederick or even to Cumberland and back. Out-of-town visitors, especially international visitors, taken to the Great Falls overlook always marvel that such a wild place is so close to the National Mall.
The Park allows each of us to experience the natural world on our own terms. And because of the enormous, continuing efforts of many, we do so with the reassurance and hope that the experience will still be there season after season, and year after year. Changes and surprises should be limited to those caused by natural forces, and not efforts to make it a Disney-like experience, Virginia style waterfront development, or a limited access national park. We applaud the National Park Service for rejecting the proposal to put an “invisible” fence around this unique Park. We look forward to hearing from Superintendent Brandt concerning other Canal issues of importance, including proposed alterations to historic features like the Pennyfield Lock Road replacement bridge and the long term impacts of the proposed Mid-River Intake construction at the WSSC Filtration Plan on River Road.
ARTIFICIAL TURF (AT) PLAYING FIELDS Submitted by Carol Van Dam Falk
The Safe Healthy Playing Fields Coalition, of which WMCCA is a member, reports that they obtained the support of Maryland state lawmakers to reintroduce three pieces of artificial turf-related bills over the next few months. The bills were introduced in 2014 but did not pass. The Coalition is submitting slightly revised versions of the bills along with information from an NBC television report on an alarming number of cancer cases found among young soccer goalies and the current federal warnings about known toxins in AT. Lead is just one toxic ingredient found in both the tire crumb infill and the plastic blades as they age and break down.
The three (3) bills would:
1) Prevent the Prince George’s County school system from building 22 soccer fields with the use of POS (Public Open Space) funds to install synthetic fields.
2) Require that warning signs be posted at artificial turf fields about known toxins in AT and the health risks associated with playing on AT fields on hot days.
3) Raise the liability cap on damages that people could collect from states and municipalities for not acting in the best interest of the public regarding synthetic turf fields.
The Coalition is encouraged in its efforts to expose the misinformation provided by the AT industry because not only is there more support in Annapolis, but groups across the nation are working to raise the level of awareness concerning the toxic nature of these synthetic fields and their components. Perhaps most importantly, the Coalition is urging the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to regulate AT as a children’s product. In addition, PEER (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility) sued the CPSC for not testing shredded and pulverized tires as a children’s product, as the CPSC said they would do. Furthermore, the EPA is no longer participating in the tire working group put together by the EPA and the rubber manufacturers’ association in 2007 to convince the public that it was safe to install shredded tires on public playing fields. The EPA is now backing away from the entire controversy, calling it a state and local issue.
For more information, go to: www.safehealthyplayingfields.org.
PENNYFIELD LOCK ROAD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – UPDATE Submitted by Ginny Barnes:
Pennyfield Lock Road dates back to the 1850’s and is designated as Rustic in the Rural and Rustic Roads Master Plan. The bend skirted around the Dufief warehouse and is considered a significant feature of the road. WMCCA and the Montgomery Countryside Alliance (MCA) submitted joint testimony to the County Council in opposition to the proposed (and most destructive) alternative favored by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Nevertheless, Council staff is recommending the DOT alternative. A final decision will be made by the Council after committee work sessions.
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West Montgomery County Citizens Association 