Chesapeake Bay Foundation opposes golf course expansion at Greenbury Point

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is opposed to a golf course expansion at Greenbury Point, according to a statement released Monday.

“CBF is concerned about the potential conversion of forested land to turf for a golf course, which could harm water quality and displace wildlife,” stated Josh Kurtz, CBF Maryland executive director. ” We urge the Navy and federal government to continue to use Greenbury Point as a conservation and natural recreation area,” stated Josh Kurtz, CBF’s Maryland executive director. The recovering forest at the site supports a broad range of wildlife and the trees sequester carbon as well as filter water and air. Protecting forested land in the critical area—so close to the Bay’s shoreline—is a tenet of the federal and state Chesapeake Bay Agreement. For these reasons, CBF is opposed to the idea of building a golf course on the property.” 

Last week, Chesapeake Conservancy and Severn River Association also shared their opposition to the golf course expansion.

According to CBF’s statement, “While the Navy does use the property for training, the site is also frequently used by the public for hiking and recreation, making it a cherished local greenspace for the community and other visitors. The Navy already has an 18-hole golf course next to the proposed site. Greenbury Point is home to a variety of wildlife and is mostly wooded, which provides environmental benefits to Chesapeake Bay.  The property fronts the Bay and portions of the peninsula’s land are within Maryland’s 100-foot Critical Area Buffer, where the state prioritizes the protection and restoration of forested land to reduce sediment and pollutant runoff. ”

More reading about the possibility of a golf course expansion at Greenbury Point –

Citing “serious and irreparable damage to the environment,” Severn River Association and Chesapeake Conservancy opposed to Navy’s golf course expansion

More questions than answers on Navy’s possible leasing of Greenbury Point for golf course expansion

Meeting to inform neighboring communities about Greenbury Point postponed

Can the U.S. Navy lease the land at Greenbury Point for an expansion of the golf course? Meeting scheduled to explain plans to neighboring communities

U.S. Navy addresses concerns about Greenbury Point

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Donna L. Cole is an award-winning multimedia and investigative reporter. She’s also a veteran of the U.S. Navy.