For Immediate Release -
Contact: Rich Claytor/Heather Holland, The Center for Watershed Protection (410)461-8323

Center for Watershed Protection Wins APA Award for Work in Frederick County

November 9, 2000 - The Center for Watershed Protection was selected today as a recipient of the Maryland Chapter American Planning Association (APA) 2000 Professional Achievement Award in the Zoning category. The award was given in recognition of the Center's Frederick County Site Planning Rountable project, which convened a diverse group of community and civic leaders in Frederick County who ironed out development code changes designed to manage some of the impacts of growth, minimize the amount of asphalt covering the land, and protect the area's water resources. The Frederick Country Roundtable project was completed in February of 2000.

Comprising a diverse group of development, environmental, local government, civic, non-profit, business and other community professionals, the Roundtable spent a full year evaluating Frederick County's development codes and ordinances. Working with the Center for Watershed Protection, they determined that existing guidelines fell short of what is necessary to achieve sustainable development, or economic growth that also protects the local environment.

In February 2000, the Roundtable presented a series of recommendations to the Frederick County Commissioners based on their findings. The changes they recommended are designed to guide future site development in the County towards the goals of reducing impervious cover (surfaces like roads, sidewalks and rooftops that don't allow rainfall to infiltrate into the ground), conserving natural areas, and minimizing stormwater pollution. As a result of the Roudtable's recommendations, the County is in the process of implementing comprehensive changes in local development codes and ordinances.

The APA award was accepted on behalf of the Center by Jennifer Zielinski, watershed engineer, in a ceremony at Towson University on November 8, 2000. Also present were Roundtable members Rick Brace, Bruce Dell and Tim Goodfellow of the Frederick County Department of Planning and Zoning, along with Mark Friis from Rogers and Associates. For more information on the Frederick County Site Planning Roundtable project, contact the Center for Watershed Protection , 8391 Main Street, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043; phone (410)461-8323; fax(410)410-461-8324; email center@cwp.org. You can visit us online at www.cwp.org.