EPA Objections May Put Ruthsburg Facility On Slow Track

A State Department plan to build a major new diplomatic security facility on Maryland's Eastern Shore may have hit a serious snag after the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency raised questions about possible environmental damage.

The federal government's real estate arm chose a 2,000-acre farm site in Ruthsburg, in rural Queen Anne's County, last year as the preferred site for the training center. The campus-like facility, to be built with millions in stimulus dollars, attracted intense local opposition that forced state and federal elected officials to back off from their previous support for the project.

Now a caution flag raised by the regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could signal major new delays.

In a letter late last week, EPA advised the General Services Administration (GSA), overseer for federal construction projects, to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project.

"EPA believes that the project may adversely affect the aquatic and terrestrial environment, including wetlands and, potentially, endangered species," wrote Jeffrey D. Lapp, associate director of EPA's regional Office of Environmental Programs in Philadelphia.

GO HERE to read more.