Environmental Planning

The Environmental Planning Section is responsible for programs related to the protection of the natural environment through the review of applications in the land development process. The section evaluates the impacts of land-use plans and development proposals on woodlands, wildlife habitat, green infrastructure, streams, floodplains, wetlands, unsafe soils, noise, and rare, threatened, and endangered species habitat. Staff also identifies appropriate measures to mitigate proposed impacts. Geographic information systems, computer modeling, and other innovative environmental methodologies are used to collect and analyze the data needed to respond in a systematic way to environmental issues. Comprehensive evaluations on a watershed basis are emphasized. The section prepares environmental impact reports for sand and gravel mining applications and coordinates the Planning Department's responsibilities related to woodland conservation and the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area.  The section represents Prince George's County on the Patuxent River Commission, a tributary strategy team to restore the Chesapeake Bay.