Coalition Commends Leggett Letter on Ten Mile Creek

The Save Ten Mile Creek Coalition is hailing a letter by Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett where he announces that the county will forgo any further development on two county-owned parcels of land in the Ten Mile Creek watershed, including both the County Correctional Facility and Clarkwood sites.

In the letter, dated Jan. 9, to Diane Cameron, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Conservation Director and Save Ten Mile Creek Coalition Coordinator, Leggett wrote: “protecting the environment is a priority of mine,” “I am committed to protecting Ten Mile Creek,” and “my environmental staff will participate fully in Council discussions on the Ten Mile Creek limited master plan amendment.”

The County Executive also stated his administration would “forego any development on these two County properties” (referring to the County Correctional Facility and the Clarkwood site) in the Ten Mile Creek watershed, as key steps forward in protecting Ten Mile Creek.

“We are very pleased with County Executive Leggett’s response thus far,” said Caroline Taylor, Executive Director, Montgomery Countryside Alliance. “His decision to forgo any development on the County-owned parcels is tangible evidence of his commitment to protecting Ten Mile Creek. We trust that the Executive’s recommendations regarding the full Stage 4 land-use plan will be similarly centered on resource protection and the public interest.”

“The County Executive is wisely making a significant public investment in the water security of our county and region,” said Diane Cameron. “Now, we need the County Council to step up and follow suit. The science is clear. Any additional pavement will degrade and pollute this biological gem and drinking water source. Instead of adding development that will degrade our best and most fragile creek, we urge the Council to support development and needed transit in Clarksburg Town Center outside the drainage boundaries of Ten Mile Creek.”

You can read Leggett’s Jan. 9 letter in its entirety below:

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