Natural Environment
Goal
Preserve, enhance, and restore our natural and built ecosystems to improve human health, strengthen our resilience to changing climate conditions, and facilitate sustainable economic development.
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Policy 1
Reduce the rate of land consumed by greenfield development countywide.
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Policy 2
Improve and maintain water quality through stormwater management and water resource protection.
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Policy 3
Implement green building techniques and green neighborhood design to reduce energy use, stormwater runoff, the heat island effect, improve air and water quality, and increase opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle construction waste.
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Policy 4
Assess land use decisions for potential climate change impacts.
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Policy 5
Preserve and enhance existing forest and tree canopy coverage levels.
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Policy 6
Reduce overall sky glow, minimize the spill-over of light from one property to the next, and reduce glare from light fixtures.
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Policy 7
Provide adequate protection and screening from noise to ensure that the State of Maryland noise standards are being met through the provision of earthen berms, plant materials, fencing, and the establishment of a building restriction line.
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Policy 8
Promote the efficient use of energy resources by providing education, outreach, and technical assistance to residents and businesses.
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Policy 9
Encourage investment in energy infrastructure, renewable energy, and the use of smart grid technologies to improve the efficiency, reliability, affordability, and sustainability of energy production and distribution.
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Policy 10
Encourage the generation of low-carbon and clean, renewable energy sources.