[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6636864,"mediaKeyId","2602544-c7d82eb1590ab26a40fed99adbca0e3a","parentId",2602544,"title","Agricultural Resources Advisory Commission outlines school programs, land access and processing gaps in annual report to council","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1503000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2602544-c7d82eb1590ab26a40fed99adbca0e3a&start=1503&end=1503","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2602544-c7d82eb1590ab26a40fed99adbca0e3a/thumbnail_1503000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6636864/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Agricultural-Resources-Advisory-Commission-outlines-school-programs-land-access-and-processing-gaps-in-annual-report-to-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636864-4e84455c89e277bbf70003516ef6d1ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172499&Signature=QRefp4pKjiEEF0Q035wqwtCIMFj2JVCLwq5wgYOddL~1kJ2bwOHekvB5YnFADhQwfwqD73wjevxSLohDVvLZ1IcdQZXZTGF08iBWvLVVL1VwZ4GikB3LOfDsZT2ZBgmtDwb2Yui8zWpdVytodbmPyneiHa~ydKdx4lmNIVBc8t54LNozxrCSnqXOdFtqaZ72O08RamyLfkxg95hDSYQ43jG8H5SBWwCL-nm83Pvbw2LzQYR5HdQ7gY0zncY4HVNFerTZerSJLXACxhA-eigHcuZND1kPnAP03HCoQMbJPYiWgkZkEKSXQMQzu61Jvu3~GwsbiU4Gh3-rL3FpdY69Dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Prince George","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Agricultural Resources Advisory Commission (ARAC) presented its annual report to the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee on March 13, 2025. ARAC co-chair Dan Donahue summarized the commission’s activities and recommended steps the county could take to support farmers, local food systems and agricultural economic development.

Donahue said ARAC, a largely volunteer body established in 2012 to advise the county executive and council on agricultural issues, has focused on supporting local food systems, strengthening partnerships with the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council and engaging in regional planning conversations. The commission urged expanding opportunities for young people to enter agriculture and noted that three county high schools — High Point High School, Fairmont Heights High School and Gwynn Park High School — offer Future Farmers of America (FFA) programs. Donahue highlighted Gwynn Park’s success placing students in scholarships and competitions.

ARAC recommended that the county consider adding an agricultural planner position to the Economic Development Corporation or similar staff to pursue agricultural tourism and economic development opportunities. Donahue and committee members pointed to Montgomery and Charles counties as examples that have dedicated staff or consistent participation in regional agricultural development efforts.

The commission also advocated for improved access to publicly owned land for farming and consultation with ARAC on Department of Parks and Recreation and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) land that might be used for agriculture or incubator farms. Donahue recounted ARAC’s farm tour and partnerships with the Soil Conservation District and Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), and he noted difficulty in finding local meat processing capacity; he described hauling livestock up to Aberdeen and long processing wait times and said a regional processing facility concept had stalled.

Food insecurity surfaced as a concern. Committee members and Donahue discussed increasing demand at local food banks and how county government might better align farmers, processing capacity and food distribution. Council member Burrows invited further engagement, and staff said county offices would follow up about potential collaboration and program design.

Committee members thanked Donahue for the report and said they would follow up on recommendations, including exploring a farm-and-winery tour for council members and further conversations with the Economic Development Corporation and Parks and Planning about land access.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Prince George - Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee - Mar 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dan Donahue of the Agricultural Resources Advisory Commission briefed the committee on the commission’s annual report, highlighting FFA programs at three high schools, land‑access recommendations, calls for an agricultural planner at the county’s economic development agency, and the need for regional meat processing capacity.","taxTitle","Prince George's County, Maryland","taxId",3378,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6636868,"Committee holds bill requiring DPWT snow removal operations reporting after members seek amendments",615,924000,1539000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2602544-c7d82eb1590ab26a40fed99adbca0e3a&start=924&end=1539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2602544-c7d82eb1590ab26a40fed99adbca0e3a/thumbnail_924000.jpg","/articles/6636868/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Committee-holds-bill-requiring-DPWT-snow-removal-operations-reporting-after-members-seek-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636868-3fe5f2be85c30ed5767fc195077ead3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172499&Signature=NV7qtjcI1ZYJhr~bkBi9BIagrSWsVKJSCfZKtq7bmz~BR6IzHFRzd5AHI2mJhOJONMw~~Usi-o619zxoeWXRfT-bhchLkXispsWjtUaJsxjNxPeTEMRhh8wMAau~3xbQ8btyNx4ZQ989749cUwkkBujZqTYBFJM36EyHALoXgMqul1cXaZaeKyNHHqx5uQm2ZbouGt85QWKilxm178oddjUIO45yGRxaNDlhRkNput7Uc8XkDUoPkjE~VuvLj7UULloD5AGmjAAcee2MZm~3nLB1n4B0Rk1QPBFZrblIu9d3jcqDW2ltizQmh-Z9pWlxgi7theIN~97cpjcfgI2k3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council member Burrows sponsored CB-12-2025, which would add a new section (26-157.02) to Subtitle 26 (Vehicles and Traffic) to require the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) to report on snow removal operations and communications strategies. The committee discussed the measure on March 13, 2025, then voted to hold the bill for additional edits negotiated with the administration.

The proposed section defines operational levels by snowfall: modified operations for 2–4 inches, full operations for more than 4 inches (multi-day plowing), and a blizzard level requiring heavy equipment. It also defines primary county roadways (major highways), secondary roadways (connecting roads) and residential roadways. DPWT would be required to produce a report within 24 hours of notice of anticipated snowfall meeting any operation level or ice-related weather; reports would include deployment strategies for primary, secondary and residential routes, lists of supplies used during pretreatment (county or vendor), and communications strategies for updates to the council and the county's 311 system.

Alex Hertel, legislative policy analyst, said enactment would probably have a modest adverse fiscal impact because departmental staff would need to create and release the operational reports, though DPWT did not provide specific data during the hearing. Sponsor Burrows said the bill grew out of constituent concerns during a January 6 storm when council offices had little information to share about snow operations. Burrows and DPWT Director Johnson said they held a collaborative meeting and expected to reconcile language; Burrows said he would hold the bill for a week to receive suggested amendments by email.

DPWT Director Johnson told the committee the department already generates situation reports during storms and that communication can be challenging because storm behavior can change and weather forecasts can be uncertain. Assistant Director Skinner said DPWT’s public information officer would coordinate delivery of situational awareness reports to the legislative branch and that the administration would work with the sponsor to incorporate existing situational report content into the bill language.

Council member Fisher, explaining her aye vote to hold, asked that staff look at the county’s online portal so posted clearing status matches actual street conditions; she said residents are frustrated when a street appears cleared in one place but not in the county portal. The committee moved to hold CB-12-2025 to allow Burrows and the administration to finalize agreed amendments; the motion to hold passed 5–0.

The committee scheduled the bill for further review; DPWT and council staff plan to incorporate existing situational report language and address communication and portal accuracy before the next meeting.","CB-12-2025 would require the Department of Public Works and Transportation to issue operational reports for snow events; committee members and the department agreed to work on amendments and hold the bill for a week.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6636873,"Prince George's County committee holds bill requiring periodic inspections of conserved woodlands",890,35000,925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2602544-c7d82eb1590ab26a40fed99adbca0e3a&start=35&end=925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2602544-c7d82eb1590ab26a40fed99adbca0e3a/thumbnail_35000.jpg","/articles/6636873/Prince-Georges-County/Maryland/Prince-Georges-County-committee-holds-bill-requiring-periodic-inspections-of-conserved-woodlands","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6636873-aff63174eb82739cdf1327afde749622/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172499&Signature=HocCs-MMpsthObjQcZ--~XCvZOjDEYhLdnSFAduQtAlcKZTEemFzkLS1zPnxNWznq2EZFQS~-~AhYqjIwzICRrI1ywfB9fqL~vYf~nQ92xEDgSIPkP40B~NWw7n1NbPRhhOOn1w7T78jDmMnFhOJM0D7ry3r4T73a6FuJyozGK6tMq3h9JUeS3kTbRbWlXKFtzAMbrh3O8Y3B5C2iH0XRiiNgvCcmNoQlhoIejox6l22zn2yKhko4x6OvSQrHAYeaM43Og0hAV4siJzDhPrxU1xTfuT~t~ApJ2krJ2YjhkCoDvD2cYFWv83TD6YVcBSQC2eNFSum2~8WBxJbsOsgvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Osoff, sponsor of CB-13-2025, introduced the bill to the Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee on March 13, 2025. The legislation would amend Subtitle 25 (Trees and Vegetation), Division 2 (Woodland and Wildlife Conservation), adding periodic inspections of tree conservation areas identified in approved tree conservation plans and requiring annual, district-level inspection reports.

The bill would require an initial inspection by the Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) no later than two years after a use-and-occupancy permit is issued for the subject property, and inspections every five years thereafter. DPIE would submit an annual report by council district listing findings, corrective actions and the status of those actions. Violations would receive a six-month correction period with required reinspection; penalties would be $2,500 for violations not corrected within six months and $5,000 for each subsequent month the violation persists. The bill would also incorporate these provisions into conservation easements recorded after the legislation’s effective date.

Alex Hertel, legislative policy analyst, told the committee DPIE reported that current staffing cannot meet the inspection workload called for by CB-13-2025 and that the department estimated about 14 new staff would be required; Hertel said the department provided no total cost figure. Hertel also noted an estimated $58,500 for IT (“momentum”) upgrades and additional ongoing costs for vehicles, office space, furnishings and salaries.

Chair Osoff, the bill sponsor, said the measure responds to recurring problems where reserved woodland conservation areas are left unmanaged after development and can become unhealthy stands dominated by invasive species and dying specimen trees. \"My concern was, who's paying attention, what's happening, when those areas that have been set aside... the promise to the public is that those are gonna be maintained,\" Osoff said. He added the bill was intended to be measured — inspections every five years — and that he was skeptical of the department’s 14‑staff estimate and would hold the bill to seek clarification.

DPIE Chief of Staff Lori Paris said the department’s inspection staff are working at or beyond capacity, and that implementing a new countywide inspection role for tree conservation would likely require a new division with a supervisor, inspectors, administrative staff and supporting resources. \"Our current staff right now is at its maximum,\" Paris said, adding that overtime is currently used to address emergency and routine needs and that DPIE would provide more detailed staffing and division-level information to the sponsor and committee.

Council members pressed for more detail. Council member DeNoga asked whether existing inspection programs — he referenced a two‑year stormwater inspection program that visits private properties — could be leveraged for tree inspections and how many vehicles and staff already exist. Paris said she would research which divisions perform similar inspections and return information to the committee. Members also referenced Montgomery County’s program; the sponsor said Montgomery County has four staff who do a higher-level, GIS-enabled review rather than the health and invasive-species focus proposed in CB-13-2025.

After discussion, Chair Osoff moved to hold the bill for further review; the motion passed on a voice/roll call vote, recorded 5–0 in favor of holding the measure.

The committee agreed to follow up with DPIE and the bill sponsor to reconcile staffing and cost estimates and to seek details about existing inspection programs that might reduce new hiring needs. The bill will return to committee after those clarifications.","The Transportation, Infrastructure, Energy and Environment Committee held CB-13-2025, a bill that would require periodic inspections, reporting and penalties for tree conservation areas; committee members and agency staff disagreed on staffing and cost estimates.","actionData","errors"]

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Agricultural Resources Advisory Commission outlines school programs, land access and processing gaps in annual report to council

Committee holds bill requiring DPWT snow removal operations reporting after members seek amendments

Prince George's County committee holds bill requiring periodic inspections of conserved woodlands