Calvert County Commissioners’ President Tom Hejl stated there are no pending plans to close Cove Point Park.
Solomons, MD – A public hearing held Wednesday evening, April 12 in Solomons had as its purpose consideration by the state of a request to modify an existing wetland and waterway authorization. Because the request was made by Dominion Cove Point, locals who have long been opposed to the company’s soon-to-be-completed liquefaction project seized the opportunity to express their opinions.
The hearing, which was conducted by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), was to address Dominion’s requested change in the permit associated with the road crossing of the intermittent stream channel and wetland that was constructed at the parcel off Route 2/4. The offsite area has served as a parking site for project workers and a construction laydown area. When the project is completed Dominion will give the land, approximately 100 acres, to Calvert County for future use. While plans have not been finalized, the site is envisioned as a park/recreation area.
The local organization opposing the Dominion Cove Point Liquefaction project—We Are Cove Point—issued a missive on its Facebook page a few days prior to the hearing. Organizers stated, “this is a public hearing on Dominion’s attempt to make permanent its impact permits for its “Offsite A” site, located near Cove Point across Route 4 from Cove Point Road. What that means in layman’s terms is plans are afoot for Dominion to evict Cove Point Park from the current location and rebuild it—at what cost to the county?—at Offsite A. This permit is a step in that process.”
Cove Point Park is located just west of the Dominion Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant. The park includes several ball fields, picnic areas, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
Calvert County Commissioners’ President Tom Hejl [R – At large] affirmed that the board supports the request to modify the permit, so that the access bridge does not have to be removed. Since the soon-to-be vacated offsite area is envisioned as a recreation area, Hejl declared “it benefits the citizens of Calvert County.” He added that “rumors about [Dominion] taking back the existing Cove Point Park” were not true.
“The citizens are worried that a liquefaction train will be built where old Cove Point Park is,” said Lila West of Lusby. “I have to say ‘no’ to this permit.”
Another resident, Jeff Dixon, stated the current Cove Point Park’s proximity to the gas plant is “an open door for Dominion to expand.”
“No one’s been up front with the citizens of Calvert County,” declared local resident Linda Morin.
The most scathing comments of the hearing were delivered by Lusby resident Donny Williams, who stated, “Dominion gets their foot in the door by telling lies.” He asked MDE officials at the hearing to “reject this permit and help us get Dominion out of Calvert County.”
“That park [Cove Point Park] is a goner,” said William Peil of Dunkirk, who stated he recently attended a county Parks and Recreation meeting and learned about the plans for the proposed recreational area where the offsite area is currently located. Peil told MDE officials, “the state needs to step in.”
Not everyone who spoke at the hearing was critical of the county commissioners, Dominion or the proposed future use of the offsite area. Mark McCormick of the Calvert Soccer Association stated his organization believes additional fields at a new park would create better playing venues for the county’s youth soccer teams. “We might be able to provide something for the kids,” McCormick said. “Leave that bridge in place.”
“Dominion has been important to the community, they have become part of the community,” said United Way of Calvert County President and CEO Kelly Chambers, who noted Dominion employees are involved as volunteers for several local nonprofit organizations.
“I trust Dominion and our county government,” said Lusby business owner Heather Maertens, adding that an additional large recreation venue in the community would be a good thing for local merchants.
According to MDE Nontidal Wetlands and Waterways Division Chief Amanda L. Sigillito, the public record on the permit modification request will be kept open for two weeks with a decision to be rendered in late May.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
