Dear Friends of Abingdon Woods,
Item #1
We recently got notice that Maryland Department of the Environment has opened a public comment period of 30 days regarding two aspects of the Wetlands and Waterways Permit for what is now being called the “BTC III I-95 Logistics Center.” We have known it as the “Abingdon Business Park.” You’ll recall that BTC III (Build-to-Core) is the new developer. However, it’s interesting that on the MDE website, Chesapeake Real Estate Group and Westport, the old developers, are also still listed.
The announcement is at: https://mde.maryland.gov/…/Pages/CREG_Westport_I.aspx
On that page you will find the developer’s “Socioeconomic Justification” and the “Tier II Antidegredation Review.” Please read these documents and write up any thoughts you have and send in your letter to MDE before October 15, 2021. Instructions on exactly where to send your letter is on the announcement page.
Getting this opportunity to make comments has been hardwon. It is the result of the courtcase by Chesapeake Legal Alliance and the Gunpowder Riverkeeper in Harford County Courts that was recently won, leading the court to send the Wetlands and Waterways Permit back to MDE and forcing MDE to open this new public comment period.
Item #2
Bad news is that two more permits (grading permits) were approved this week. The project needs 21 permits. Now, 15 have been approved. ONLY ONE GRADING PERMIT remains to be approved. Four road permits remain to be approved. One stormwater management permit remains to be approved.
Item #3
There is going to be a protest/rally on Wednesday, September 22 from 4-6 p.m. Rain date will be Thursday, September 23, 4-6 p.m. Meet at the Park and Ride on Rt 24 south of I-95. The goal of the protest is to raise awareness about the traffic impacts the BTC III I-95 Logistics Center will bring to this area. It’s scheduled for after work so people leaving work in the Edgewood area can see what they have to look forward to. Bring your own signs. Because we still have yard signs, we will bring those as well. They are available for a donation of $8.
Item #4
Here are the remaining action steps open to us.
* Call, email or write your representative in the Harford County Council and demand that the Council revoke the “Edgewood Joppa Enterprise Zone Expansion”. Also, ask them to stop this project. It is important that we reach EVERY county councilman.
* Write to developer Aanen Olsen to ask that he meet with the Save Abingdon Woods Coalition to discuss the desire to purchase the property for preservation.
Aanen Olsen, Senior Vice-President of Development
BTC III I-95 Logistics Center, LLC
301 Rt 7 North, Suite 206, Rutherford, NJ 07070, phone (201) 507-6776, EMAIL: aanen.olsen@blackcreekgroup.com
*Ask every politician on a local and state level if they would be willing to take some step towards stopping this project and if so, what exactly they are willing to do.
* Write a public comment (See Item #1)
* Make sure parents of students at William Paca and Old Post Road Elementary Schools understand what is being proposed and how it will affect their children. Please see the Letter to the Editor of the 9/15/21 Aegis by William Graham, Harford County Climate Action Board Member, which contains information on impacts to children’s health by diesel emissions.
* Can you find and photograph an endangered species in Abingdon Woods?
* Support stronger forest conservation law in Harford County and support more power to citizens in stopping bad zoning and development decisions for the future.
As always, we can do more when we work together. Your caring matters!
