A new environmental department in Howard would elevate the importance of these issues and consolidate the efforts of current groups, residents and activists said.
Knowing where to go and coordinating environmental efforts can be difficult, Betsy McMillion, of the Friends of the Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway, told County Executive Ken Ulman?s transition team at a public meeting Wednesday night. The group preserves and protects the Patapsco River Valley.
Environmental issues are dealt with through the departments of Recreation and Parks, Public Works and Planning and Zoning.
The new department could handle environmental parks, stream management, public concerns and environmental education, activists said.
Residents also told the team the county needs a greater focus on environmental education, and the county?s parks are too focused on athletic activities.
“I think it?s embarrassing that we seem to be the only county in Maryland that doesn?t have a center for environmental education for children,” said Columbia resident Harry Schwarz.
Cathy Hudson, head of the environmental committee of the Howard County Citizens Association, said in a phone interview, “It would be very useful to have a high-level person who is looking specifically after the environment.”
The duties are now given low priority and are spread among the county?s different departments, she said.
Veronika Carella, a Howard County Parent-Teacher Association Council member, agreed with the need for an environmental department, saying the county?s structure isn?t set up to address crucial issues.
“I think the types of challenges our county is facing in terms of our water quality and the quality of land we are developing warrants a closer look at some of these environmental issues,” said Carella, who has testified before the County Council on the need to conduct environmental tests before approving new developments.
County spokeswoman Victoria Goodman said Ulman “does plan on putting a lot of emphasis on environmental matters.”
“If there is a way we can bring a stronger focus on it organizationally, we will be looking to do that,” she said.
