The conservation of irreplaceable natural assets is
one of the most crucial factors to consider in the preservation of quality of life for
communities and for humanity as a whole. The impact of growth and development on natural
resources and the environmental is an issue of increasing public concern. Human
settlements built across the landscape disturb and alter the fragile natural environment,
and communities desire that future building and development be conceived and designed in
ways which recognize and protect sensitive natural features and their ecological support
systems.
Article 66B of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(Planning and Zoning Enabling Act) and the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection
and Planning Act of 1992, require that every County adopt policies to address the
protection of environmentally sensitive areas, including:
Streams
and Stream Buffers
Wetlands
Woodlands and native
vegetation
Threatened and endangered wildlife habitats
Surface and ground water systems
Floodplains
Open space
and rural land
Highly
erodible and permeable soils
PJA utilizes a variety of planning techniques to
conserve and protect natural resources, and to minimize the disturbances created by man's
built environment. These techniques include land acquisition and easement programs,
transfer and/or purchase of development rights (TDR and PDR) programs, tax relief, and
grant incentives to fund preservation initiatives. Other techniques include land use
regulations (in the case of development), and best management practices for resource
utilization uses, such as agriculture, forestry, and mineral extraction.
