Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services has removed a prohibition on the erection of high tunnel greenhouses on urban and suburban lots, in an effort to increase food production by small farmers in those areas. Previously, the structures were only permitted on land zoned as agricultural. Constructed of metal frames and clear plastic coverings, the greenhouses trap heat to extend the growing season, and block access to plants by pests. Interested applicants in urban and suburban areas must submit to the DPS a certificate showing that the high tunnel proposal has been reviewed by the Montgomery Soil Conservation District and the Office of Agriculture, to ensure that it will comply with sediment and erosion control, stormwater management, zoning, and any local HOA requirements.
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| Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich |
"Ag growers who are Black, indigenous or people of color often operate on properties with fewer than three acres of land, so this policy change was made to increase racial equity," County Executive Marc Elrich said in a statement. "This policy change also is expected to increase local food production, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from long-distance food transport on our roads and increase urban access to healthy and nutritious food. I thank the local grower who advocated for change and the Office of Agriculture and Department of Permitting Services for implementing the new policy."
Right, as if erecting tunnel greenhouses on urban/suburban lots has no environmental consequences. Food production is concentrated in parts of the country where the climate, soil and other conditions combine to make the land most productive, which not only reduces production costs and makes food more affordable, but also reduces environmental damage by limiting the amount of the earth's surface devoted to food production. The greenhouse gases associated with transportation are only one of the factors contributing to environmental problems. If you want to destroy the earth's habitat, there is no better way to do that than to cover the earth's surface with tunnel greenhouses, windmills and solar farms. Imbeciles and loons.
ReplyDeleteTwo things are going to happen. Weed is going to be cultivated and then sold on the black market taking away the revenue stream promised by legalization proponents. The money will have already been spent by bureaucrats in Annapolis/Rockville to be made up using taxpaer dollars.
ReplyDeleteIt's already happening in Colorado.
You can't fix stupid until you vote them out.
" increase racial equity" Democrats. You just can't make this stuff up.
ReplyDeleteAdding to my comment at 6:54 AM: If there is a demand from 'people of color' to grow their own food, it is news to me. The idea conjures up uncomfortable images from the past, if you know what I mean. And you have to wonder whether this policy is based on concerns about the possibility of food shortages. Better stock up just in case.
ReplyDelete