Report Finds Counties’ Preservation Grades Vary

Two lower shore counties were on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of protecting rural land and preventing sprawl with Worcester heading in a positive direction and Wicomico heading the other way, according to a report released by an independent environmental group.

The 1,000 Friends of Maryland environmental group on Tuesday released a report entitled “Maryland’s Rural Lands in Danger: Which Way is Your County Headed,” outlining each Maryland county’s efforts in preserving rural land and preventing high-pollution, costly sprawl. The report examined rural zoning, the implementation of Maryland’s Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 and the number of building lots considered to be a minor subdivision among others.

Worcester was one of only a few counties in the state to gain good marks on the criteria, along with Caroline, Kent and Baltimore with Allegany and Montgomery close behind.
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