Blackwater triumph

In August, I was prepared to write the obituary for the Eastern Shore's Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Last week, Maryland's Critical Area Commission was presented the opportunity to approve a 313-acre "growth allocation" so developers could build retail space, a hotel and a golf course on a swath of ecologically sensitive riverfront land south of Cambridge and directly upstream from the refuge. I was thrilled to hear the commission's choice to stop the Blackwater Resort project, handing a resounding victory to environmentalists, and indeed to all Marylanders. By rejecting the growth allocation, the commission ended the Blackwater boondoggle and sent a clear message to developers and their local government allies: The rule of law knows no special interest.

The decision dealt the project a fatal blow and will force developers to remove from their plan the proposed golf course and buildings in the most environmentally sensitive part of the property. The mandatory 300-foot setback from the river will mean the continued protection of water quality and wildlife in the refuge. The precedent the decision created will have benefits extending far into the future and across the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed.

As the victory at Blackwater becomes a fleeting memory, let's pause and take a moment to reflect on and try to grasp the complete incompetence every level of government displayed over the course of this project's three-year approval process. Look no further than the public record, which contains over 2,000 pages of government documents regarding the Blackwater Resort. These documents chronicle how both the Dorcester County and Cambridge City councils as well as the Maryland Department of Planning continually went out of their way to facilitate this project. This escalation of commitment occurred despite inadequate design plans from the developer and repeated concerns from federal agencies, community and environmental groups on the project's shortcomings. The public record stands as a testament to the peculiar workings of planning boards and the gaping shortcomings of Maryland's "smart growth" laws.

First, Cambridge annexed the land at the developer's request, and the county overhauled its comprehensive plan to facilitate the project and build essentially a new city of 2,700 homes far removed from traditional downtown Cambridge. Never at any point did officials consider abandoning the Blackwater Resort, nor did they make any concerted effort to concentrate growth in more sensible areas. Only last week when the city and developer had reached the final hurdle, a review by the Critical Area Commission, did the plan unravel and come to its inevitable and logical demise.

I don't question Cambridge's right to economic prosperity. But, because the city is so closely aligned with development interests, I deny its right to flout our smart growth laws and risk a national treasure at the same time. The city was poised to double its size by building in one of the most environmentally sensitive areas in the state and, most amazing of all, it actually could have used state infrastructure funds to do it.

In one of the biggest flip-flops in his four years in office, Gov. Robert Ehrlich is apparently now working with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to preserve the site in its entirety. His shifting positions are only rivaled by Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley, who was for the project before he was against it. I applaud both of their proposals as they stand today but would hope their commitment to Maryland's smart growth laws goes beyond this all-too-predictable-election-year posturing.

Let's not soon forget Blackwater, for it is one of the greatest and most far reaching environmental victories the state has seen in years. After three years under siege and a concerted effort by the status quo to do it in, the integrity of the Blackwater Refuge endures, and its tremendous wildlife flourishes. Our politicians should seize the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to Maryland's progressive land use policies. They must pledge to strengthen our smart growth legislation so Maryland has the tools it needs to face its huge impending land use problems - our environment and quality of life depend on it.

David Daddio is a senior environmental economics major. He can be reached at ddaddio@umd.edu.