We just received an action alert from our partners at the Sierra Club. The Maryland State Highway Association has requested permits from federal and state agencies for water impacts related to the toll lane construction.
The permit requests outline insufficient plans to protect our regulated wetlands, waterways, and floodplains from the proposed I-495 and I-270 toll lane project. Likely impacts include irreversible harm to aquatic wildlife, stream bank and floodplain erosion, the destruction of several natural communities and habitats, and sending potentially toxic runoff into the Potomac River, a source of drinking water for 6 million people.
Our voices can be heard in this permitting process. Join this Sierra Club action alert, and raise your concerns.
The action alert sends your objections to these recipients:
Comments must be submitted by September 29, 2022. Thank you for your support!
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From: Brian Ditzler, Sierra Club Maryland Chapter <reply@emails.sierraclub.org>
Date: Tue, Sep 13, 2022 at 8:08 AM
Subject: Tell the federal government: reject the water permits for the I-495 and I-270 toll lanes project
Governor Hogan’s proposal to widen I-495 and I-270 with private toll lanes would not solve traffic congestion and would be a disaster for Maryland’s air, land, water resources, communities, and historic resources.
Right now, the Maryland State Highway Administration is seeking approval from federal and state agencies on permits that would authorize impacts from the I-495 and I-270 toll lane project on regulated wetlands, waterways, and floodplains.
Tell federal and state officials: reject the water permits for the flawed I-495 and I-270 project!
The efforts outlined in the permit application to mitigate impacts to water resources are grossly insufficient. With no plan for nearby stormwater mitigation for much of the expanded highway and bridge, there would be irreversible harm to aquatic wildlife, stream bank and floodplain erosion, and the destruction of several natural communities and habitats. There is no plan for the treatment of potentially toxic runoff from the American Legion Bridge directly into the Potomac River, a source of drinking water for 6 million people.
There continue to be concerns about the project's negative impacts on natural and cultural resources, including on an historic African-American cemetery in Cabin John, Maryland.
Write to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Maryland Department of Environment to reject the water permits for the flawed I-495 and I-270 toll lanes project!
Thank you for taking action to project our communities and the environment from the threats of major highway expansion.
Yours in the fight,
Brian Ditzler
Transportation Chair
Sierra Club Maryland Chapter
Lindsey Mendelson
Transportation Representative
Sierra Club Maryland Chapter
P.S. Interested in testifying at the virtual hearing on the water permit? Sign up here and message transportation@mdsierra.org for tips and talking points.