Development marches on, putting ‘protected’ forests in peril

This view of Crystal Spring Forest in Annapolis shows Crab Creek in the lower right. The creek flows into Maryland’s South River about five miles upstream of the Bay. (Mark Duehmig)

If you’re reading this issue of the Bay Journal, chances are you know that the Chesapeake Bay, North America’s largest estuary, is a vital ecosystem that supports a vast array of wildlife, provides livelihoods for millions and offers invaluable recreational opportunities. You likely also know that the Bay has suffered decades of degradation, ranging from industrial pollution and nutrient overloads from agriculture to unchecked development and the resulting destruction of habitat for plant and animal life.

One of the most critical steps toward restoring the Chesapeake Bay lies in preserving and repairing riparian forests — woodlands adjacent to the countless streams, creeks and rivers of the Bay’s vast watershed. These not only filter stormwater before it reaches the waterways, but they are also biodiversity hotspots, climate regulators and habitat for many animals.

One such vital ecosystem is an 89-acre patch of mature forest known as Crystal Spring Forest, part of a privately owned tract about two miles southwest of downtown Annapolis. Nestled along Crab Creek, a Bay tributary by way of the South River, this vital patch of undisturbed forest is under threat from a proposed luxury retirement development by National Lutheran Communities & Services and associated entities.

Called the Village at Providence Point, the development would require clear-cutting more than 27 acres of what has been designated priority forest under the Maryland Forest Conservation Act, removing 64 significant trees and profoundly altering the area’s environmental balance.

Considered a primary or old-growth forest, Crystal Spring Forest acts as the best kind of waterway buffer, filtering out pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment. Without this filtration, Crab Creek and, subsequently, the South River and Bay itself would be inundated with harmful runoff, exacerbating algae blooms and dead zones.

Like most primary forests, it is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, and its destruction would displace countless species. Some 221 species of birds have been recorded there, including the American woodcock, a game bird now said to be rare in Anne Arundel County. The Anne Arundel Bird Club, a chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society, considers Crystal Spring Forest one of the county’s top 10 sites for migratory birds.

As a whole, the Crystal Spring tract is more than a forest. What makes this site truly unique is the diverse mosaic of habitats that include not just mature woods but also grasslands, vernal pools, wet meadows and shrub land. These are year-round habitats for many animals, as well as valuable layover spots for wintering and migratory bird species like glossy ibis, gadwalls, teal ducks and American woodcocks.

Such forests also contribute to climate resilience, sequestering carbon and regulating local temperatures. Removing these trees not only releases stored carbon but also diminishes the area’s ability to withstand climate change impacts, such as flooding and heat waves.

Though scaled-down from previous efforts to develop the Crystal Spring tract, the Lutheran Communities project would still destroy 27 acres of mature forest, replacing it with a 350-unit continuing care community and all the other necessary buildings and roads and parking lots that go with it. While marketed as a luxury retirement community, its cost to the environment is severe.

Among the irreversible damages from this project would be the removal of 64 significant trees, including several species of native oaks vital to the health of the ecosystem. A concentration of this many mature oaks produces millions of acorns every year, a food source for many animals.

The key question from many of this project’s opponents is this: What is the point of designating a forest, or any other tract of natural land, as a conservation priority if that designation is clearly temporary — easily undone with a “variance” approved by a city council? Another common question: Have alternative approaches been considered for this development? Could the developer use more non-forested portions of the property, preserving the priority forest and minimizing ecological harm?

Local residents and citizen groups, including the Crab Creek Conservancy, have fought tirelessly to halt this development. Appeals have highlighted procedural and legal errors, including the questionable approval of variances reversing the protection of priority forests. Despite setbacks in court, community advocates continue to challenge the decisions, emphasizing the need to prioritize ecological integrity over short-term development gains.

The fate of Crystal Spring Forest is not just a local issue; it is emblematic of the larger struggle to balance development with environmental stewardship in the Chesapeake region. Protecting this forest is a tangible step toward healing the Bay, ensuring clean water and safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.

The Bay’s health hinges on the preservation of its riparian forests. Crystal Spring Forest is more than just a patch of trees — it is a lifeline for Crab Creek, a safeguard for the Bay and a testament to the power of community action. Let’s stand together to ensure this irreplaceable resource is protected for generations to come.

Forrest Mays is president of the Crab Creek Conservancy (conservecrabcreek.org) in Annapolis.

This article was originally published by a www.bayjournal.com . Read the Original article here. .