Regulations and Procedures: Do I Have to Cut Down Trees to Save the Bay

My building permit application in Charles County, Maryland

isn't going forward because I object to the way the county

applies its urban-type stormwater runoff regulations to my

property, which is zoned Rural Conservation. I would have to remove

mature woods to make space for rain gardens. I have failed to

persuade the permit evaluators that the regulations will

yield an outcome for the environment contrary to their stated

purpose, and should therefore be waived. (Rain gardens and

other engineered water retention features are intended to

mimic woodland, hydrologically, in urban environments.)



I asked a local licensed forester what to do, and he guessed

that the county appeals process would be the way to go. But

it seems to me that's for when its me vs. my neighbors --

zoning variances and such. Here it's me vs the unfairness of

inept regulations -- and unfairness to the environment at that.

Is a lawsuit in order? Should I complain to the county

commissioners -- i.e., the elected officials -- first? If a lawsuit,

how do I proceed?

Regulations and Procedures: Do I Have to Cut Down Trees to Save the Bay