A Howard County student would be among the panel of experts to advise on environmental issues, a group that advocates lauded as a critical step to continuing the county?s focus on green initiatives.
“That?s the age group that will be living with the decisions we make,” said Betsy Singer, co-chairwoman of the original, now-disbanded environment commission, referring to the inclusion of one member under the age of 19.
The Howard County Council is considering a measure that would create a 13-member Environmental Sustainability Board, one of the recommendations of the county?s temporary Commission on the Environment and Sustainability.
“It?s significant to sustain the momentum by the original commission,” Singer told the council at a public hearing Monday.
While the commission was meeting, several students attended meetings and offered their knowledge on environmental topics, said Joshua Feldmark, commission executive director.
“That was a perspective that would be welcome and needed on the commission,” he said.
According to the legislation, the Environmental Sustainability Board would:
» Meet at least six times a year;
» Recommend policies and funding proposals;
» Develop programs to increase public awareness of environmental issues;
» Monitor the county?s progress in meeting sustainability goals;
» Submit an annual report to the county executive and the County Council on progress in environmental protection.
The commission, which met for several months, also recommended that Howard create an Office of Environmental Sustainability, which Feldmark has said may have to be phased in later, depending on resources.
Bridget Mugane, president of the Howard County Citizens Association, praised the creation of the advisory board.
“Without a continuing body to coordinate and oversee implementation, many of the recommendations would necessarily languish,” Mugane said in written testimony, adding that it?s important that “adequate staff support is provided to the board to be effective and to avoid exhausting its unpaid volunteer members.”
AT A GLANCE
Environmental Sustainability Board members would have expertise in:
» Air and water quality
» Open space and land preservation
» Energy use
» Green building
» Environmental education
» Governance
» Transit
Source: Howard County officials
