IW2 Public Hearing Scheduled
07/23/26
In This Newsletter
IW2 Plan Meeting
ICPRB Conference Attendance
Data Center Referendum Lawsuit Update
MPIA Lawsuit Update
IW2 Plan Meeting
The IW2 (Investing in Workers and Workplaces) plan has been sent to the county council by the planning commission. Despite continuing to have little to no analytical basis and criticism dominating the discussion of the plan, it will go before the county council on September 1st at 7:00 PM. It’s an important time for us to show up and continue to make our voices heard on the still-unresolved issues with the IW2 plan.
What you can do: Reserve September 1st on your calendar and show up at the public hearing. Make a public comment via email, phone, or in person and support the other speakers there.
ICPRB Conference Attendance
For those interested in the science and policy of ensuring a sustainable water supply, the ICPRB (Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin) conference will be on September 9. The event is free and an excellent opportunity to participate in panels, presentations, and discussions on the sustainability of the Potomac River Basin water supply.
What you can do: Reserve your tickets and attend the event.
Data Center Referendum Lawsuit Update
The Maryland Supreme Court upheld the circuit court decision denying Frederick county residents the right to challenge the County council's rezoning decision to enlarge the CDI zone by approximately 1000 acres, which essentially allowed outside corporate interests to define the county's land use priorities. This doesn’t mean the end of the fight, however. There will still be future opportunities to push for reform in not only data centers, but also government processes like the referendum process to protect Marylanders’ right to referendum. Once a detailed opinion is published it will be available on our archive of the lawsuit.
MPIA Lawsuit Update
The Maryland Supreme court reversed part of the judgment of the appellate court regarding Sugarloaf Alliance's ongoing efforts to promote transparency in the county's government processes and practices and remanded the case back to the court with instructions to vacate the judgement of the circuit court. While this legal process is not over, the judgement so far is a win in the MPIA lawsuit.
The Sugarloaf Alliance represents more than 675 stakeholders in the Sugarloaf region. The Alliance’s mission is to protect the unique natural and historical aspects of the Sugarloaf Mountain area and its environment through education and initiatives in support of watersheds, streams, meadows, forests, and historic sites. Working with volunteers, civic groups, and local, state, and federal agencies, the organization’s primary goal is to preserve the unique character and serenity of the area for future generations. Sugarloaf Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Steve Black, President
Blanca and Steve Poteat, Vice Presidents
Nick Carrera, Treasurer
James Coulombe, Secretary
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