Coal

LWVMD takes Action to -oppose strip mining on slopes steeper than 20 degrees (1993) support the collection of taxes and fees from the coal industry for costs to the public resulting from the mining of Maryland coal. (1987) -oppose the granting of eminent domain for and the construction of, a coal slurry pipeline through Maryland. (1986) Support for: -The coal industry being responsible for the payment of costs to the public resulting from its operation. -Use of the per ton severance tax and the current system of impact/reclamation fees as the sources of revenues to cover these costs. -Continuation of the Maryland Coal tax. Opposition to: -the use of the personal property tax for surface mined coal because of the difficulty in enforcement and collection. -strip mining on slopes steeper than 20 degrees.

Hazardous Waste Management

LWVMD takes Action to promote the environmentally sound management of hazardous waste and to educate the public on safe disposal procedures. (1984) Support for: sound management of hazardous waste through (a) recycling, recovery, and pre-treatment. (b) alternatives to landfilling. (c) providing economic incentives to industry and evaluating the results. (d) providing funds for environmental monitoring and enforcement. state government action to assist public and small generator waste disposal in an economically feasible and environmentally safe way through (a) education of the public as to what hazardous waste is, how to dispose of it properly, and safe alternative products that can be used. (b) mandating informative labeling on all hazardous waste products. (c) encouraging the establishment of convenient collection sites throughout Maryland.

Land Use and Growth Management

2008 Legislative Priority LWVMD takes Action to encourage the State to establish goals, guidelines and standards for land use, with local implementation of land use policies. (1975, 1979, 1991) Support for: -state government having a larger role than local government in managing critical areas of statewide concern, especially environmental protection and resource conservation and preservation. -goals and guidelines for regional and interagency coordination in the development and implementation of land use plans. -local government's use of land use planning and regulatory techniques, such as adequate public facilities legislation, land banking, planned unit developments, transfer of development rights, and timed development ordinances to direct development to designated areas. -preservation of agricultural land by (a) zoning; (b) continued use of preferential farmland easement laws, including collection of the roll-back tax; (c) transfer of development rights; (d) easement purchases funded by the state real estate transfer tax. state government using incentives such as the provision of technical assistance, infrastructure, and grants to enable local governments to comply with state goals, guidelines, and standards.

Solid Waste Management

LWVMD takes Action to promote informed decisions affecting solid waste management. (1995) Support for: -ample opportunity and funding for active public participation including timely scheduling and notification of public meetings. -provisions by local, state, and federal governments of the following types of information on the impact of solid waste actions: environment, economics, public health, socio-economic, demographics. -technological information collected, shared, and provided by the state. -state regulations in place (1995) regarding control, funding and public health for the management of solid waste. -the following incentives that encourage the reduction, reuse, and recycling of materials and the opening of new markets and that discourage the use of some materials: legislative mandates, tax incentives, voluntary guidelines, pricing support, variable rates for waste pick up, procurement regulations. -inter and intra-state solutions to solid waste management.

Transportation

Legislative Priority in 2008 LWVMD takes Action to support an integrated transportation system and mass transit systems which are efficient, safe, clean and accessible. Support for adequate and equitable funding and cooperative regional programs is necessary to achieve these goals. (2001) Support for: -Maintaining the solvency of the Transportation Trust Fund. -Increasing funding for mass transit. -Developing regional visions and frameworks for transportation which reflect local concerns and which incorporate relevant LWV positions on land use, economic development, and environmental protection. -Achieving and maintaining cooperative working relationships among state and local agencies in order to achieve better planning and to decrease the use of single occupancy vehicles. -Incentives which promote use of mass transit and other alternative modes of travel. -Public education to promote transportation goals which would provide alternative travel modes, encourage technological improvements that abate emissions from mobile sources, reduce energy consumption and protect natural resources.