Developers

SpunkySafetyOrangeSheep                                                                              Mount de Sales

                                                                                                                               3/26/2012

As land developers we understand the devastating impact we have on the Chesapeake Bay

and the surrounding environment. The damage we cause is mainly sediment runoff. This

causes high turbidity, clogs fish gills, smothers sessile bottom dwellers, and cuts off light

to underwater grasses. Trees help keep sediment out of the bay by holding the soil in place

with their roots and by absorbing and slowing down rain fall. As a developer, we need to cut

 down these trees to clear the land for building. When we build our buildings we find it

necessary to replace natural surfaces with hard surfaces such as pavements and

blacktops. Whenever it rains these hard surfaces send runoff flowing toward the bay. The

more land developments we construct the more people move into the Chesapeake

watershed, meaning more waste. In an effort to help save the bay we could (no promises)

try to cut down fewer trees, build barriers to hold back runoff, construct energy-

conscience buildings, plan new developments so that building are closer together, protect

wildlife by attempting to leave as much natural forest and water sources in the area, and

use less pavements that allow faster runoff.

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    From:   JACT - homeowner - EHHS                                                                     Ask

                                                                                                                        3/27/2012

       Would it be possible in some developments to not create a hard surface and all, and if

       not what buffers could you use to reduce sediment run-off?

        Response        SpunkySafetyOrangeSheep - developer - MdS

                             To:  JACT - homeowner - EHHS

                                                                                                                        3/28/2012

              It would be very difficult for us, as developers, to construct a buffer not made

              from a hard surface because buildings need a harder and sturdier surface to be

              contructed on. However, trees can be planted in the surrounding areas to reduce

              sediment run-off.

    From:   Jay A. Squared - homeowner - MdS                                                      Ask

                                                                                                                        3/27/2012

       We agree that as land developers you have a big impact on the bays health issues. You

       should gradually work on more effective ways to ensure the health of the bay and a

       safe enviroment for its organisms.

    From:   Wilderness Tours - recreation - MslmnHS                                              Ask

                                                                                                                        3/29/2012

       you also have an impact on the atomosphere and wildlife to by poluting the environment

        which is not okay

        Response        SpunkySafetyOrangeSheep - developer - MdS

                             To:  Wilderness Tours - recreation - MslmnHS

                                                                                                                        4/2/2012

              Everyone and everything you do has some sort of impact on the atmosphere and

              wilderness; there is no way to completely stop that. Pollution is everywhere, it is

              not just coming from us. In order for us to completly cut off pollution from

              entering the atmosphere, we would have to stop building, which would impact

              everyone because there would be no homes or bussiness offices..ect and this

              would not help with anything.

    From:   Saving Nemo... and others! - CBP_Fed - MdS                                       Ask

                                                                                                                        3/29/2012

       Your ideas on how to manage pollution when new devlopments are built are truly

       wonderful. Instead of using concretate for sidewalks or driverways, you could use a

       pervious concrete,porous asphaly, or paving stones.  

        Response        SpunkySafetyOrangeSheep - developer - MdS

                             To:  Saving Nemo... and others! - CBP_Fed - MdS

                                                                                                                        4/2/2012

              Thank you for the input for alternatives of concrete. We will take these into

              serious consideration. 

    From:   The Quick-Build Land Developers - developer - MdS                             Ask

                                                                                                                        3/29/2012

       How could we fix the water that has already been poluted with sediment from run

       off?

    From:   K&T Group - recreation - MslmnHS                                                         Ask

                                                                                                                        4/3/2012

       Great points! And awesome suggestions. I think the suggestions could really help

       cleanup the Chesapeak Bay and the surrounding area.

Developers

The Quick-Build Land Developers

Mount de Sales

3/27/2012

REVISED

                As a Developer, I work for a company that tells me to construct new residences or buildings. My job is to negotiate the purchase of land and manage the work of architects, construction companies and property managers then apply to localities to rezone land and receive building construction permits. Although what I do is beneficial, it also has a harmful effect on the Chesapeake Bay. By tearing down land, I create more erosion and more sediment in the water. This not only has a harmful effect on the bay but can affect my job by tearing away the land that I build on. This sediment also affects the water’s turbidity which can have a domino affect on the water and its inhabitants. Although I do not wish to harm the Bay in anyway, I cannot simply cease creating new buildings. I must, however, find a way to help restore the land that I tear down and slow down the erosion of the land that I cause. By planting trees near places of erosion, I expect the erosion to decrease.

The trees can hold the land together with its roots instead of letting the land get washed away by rain. By making my community aware of the problem, we can ask our local officials to have a law that protects the land by having land developers make sure that careful procedure is taken care of. I think that the community will be willing to help plant trees and discover ways to preserve the land. If we do not get enough help from volunteers, then the local officials can make a law that requires land developers to restore the land that they work on. If land developers must tear down trees, they must plant new trees around the buildings so that our environment can be restored.  Finding money to pay for the new trees to be planted might take a lot of funds and time from constructors work. But by having local organizations raise money, we can put our plan into action. We can ask major source polluters to help clean up non-point solution, but whether or not they will actually be willing to is a problem. We could, however, ask them to help participate in our action to stop erosion by planting trees. Being a Developer, I know the harmful effects my work has on the Bay, and by planting trees I hope to help restore the land.  

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    From:   Ol' McDonald Cleans His Farm - farmer - MdS                                     Ask

                                                                                                                        4/2/2012

       Is there other ways you can lessen your contribution than planting trees? Won't the

       trees affect where you build?

        Response        The Quick-Build Land Developers - developer - MdS

                             To:  Ol' McDonald Cleans His Farm - farmer - MdS

                                                                                                                        4/17/2012

              We can have sediment ponds so that the excess soil runs into the sediment ponds

              rather than creating turbidity by running off into the bay. The trees can effect

              where we build but we would try to plant them in areas where they are needed

              but also where they are convenient to us.

Developers

The /b/ros                                                                                                   Musselman HS

                                                                                                                       3/29/2012

As a developer, we need to assess the damage and pollution of our watersheds in order to

construct houses and developments. I am aware that construction can lead to an excess

amount of pollution which takes a toll on our environment. Creating houses in this economy

is very difficult because the expense is at an all time high and construction is not always

helpful to the environment. There other alternatives to building and adapting to

environments that we should explore before tapping into resources.

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    From:   MussDOT - Other - MslmnHS                                                                  Ask

                                                                                                                        4/3/2012

       You suggested that we have the ability for alternatives, but you gave no examples.

       Reference more adaptations.

    From:   Sheep Farmers II - farmer - EHHS                                                        Ask

                                                                                                                        4/11/2012

       We agree that construction is very difficult in this economy but we would like to know

       the other alternatives to building homes. There are only so many ways to build a house.

Developers

The Impossibles

Musselman HS                                                                         4/3/2012

People need homes that are affordable. Farmers think housing developments encroach on

farm land. As Developers we're only using a small portion to make town houses for houses POV:

to supply the demand. We take farm land and put houses on them.  Town houses take a less

 space, minimizing the impervious surface: streets, garages, sidewalks, etc.   We can create

 wetlands, rain gardens, and add more trees.  The problems with impervious surfaces like

streets cause erosion and floods to happen.  Increased flooding and increased erosion

carries pollutants like fertilizers to the Potomac River and the Bay.

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Developers

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