Derencin understands smart growth

Friday, Oct. 22, 2010

In the informative Oct. 13 article, "Political newbies tussle in Dist. 4," commissioner candidate Bobby Rucci said of Charles County's proposed cross-county connector:"I'm for it as long as it doesn't hurt the environment." I hope, then, that Mr. Rucci will take to heart what the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommended in December 2009 that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers deny the wetland permit for the highway on environmental grounds: "The Service is concerned about the direct, indirect and cumulative effects of this proposed highway which extends across the watershed of the Mattawoman Creek, an important Chesapeake Bay resource. The Mattawoman Creek watershed is a hot spot for terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity and productivity, supported by significant tidal and non-tidal wetlands, extensive forest cover and high quality streams."

Hopefully, Mr. Rucci will learn about the meaning of cumulative impacts and the environmental and economic consequences, as his opponent Don Derencin has. Consider highway-induced growth: the cross-county connector was planned years ago to link the failed Chapman's Landing development to Waldorf. After the state purchased the land to become Chapman State Park, Charles County switched to Bryans Road as an excuse for the highway-induced new development.

The "Trouble Ahead" report (www.cbf.org/ Page.aspx?pid=1147) clearly explains the counter-productive nature of directing county tax dollars to subsidize new development in sensitive forested areas, when that money would be better spent to revitalize Waldorf by linking it with rapid transit to the Metro system, and making it a better place to live and work.

Don Derencin does not support the cross-county connector because it would draw needed funds away from District 4 and the already urbanized areas of the county. He understands how exercising smart growth has environmental and economic benefits for county taxpayers, especially the citizens who live in his community. At a recent forum he said, "Smart growth is imperative for this county, one thing I'd do is ensure that we maintain our rural setting and keep growth in Waldorf and use the Waldorf subarea plan as it is, on paper. We need to eliminate urban sprawl ... we know what it takes to build a successful community and do it within our environmental guidelines."

Charles County needs smart growth so that we can have a vibrant Waldorf while protecting our rural character.

Debra Krahling, Bryans Road