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Misc. Information
Weather
Info | Critical
Area | Mosquito Control | Leash
Law
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CHESAPEAKE
BAY CRITICAL AREA
Calvert County Critical Area Program
What You Need To Know:
ALL
of Neeld Estate is in the Critical
Area. . . Every Property
The map of the
Critical Area is available at the Planning & Zoning Office.
The Critical Area for Neeld Estate extends all the way to Tobacco
Road.
(Our
community is surrounded by water)
This land is 'critical' because the health of the Bay,
including the plant and
animal life living in it is impacted by what you do on your property.
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What Activities Are Regulated in the Buffer?
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*
No cutting or clearing is allowed without a permit.
* No structure or building is allowed without a permit.
* Grading, adding fill material, or shore erosion control
methods require permits.
* Dead trees may be removed without a permit.
* Trees posing immediate threat to a structure may be removed
without a permit, but with prior Planning & Zoning approval.
* The lower one-third of branches on mature trees may be pruned
without a permit, but with prior Planning & Zoning approval.
* Invasive vines may be removed without a permit, but with prior
Planning & Zoning approval.
* Maintenance of existing lawns is permitted.
* Stiff penalties are imposed for unauthorized clearing in the
buffer zone.
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CHESAPEAKE
BAY CRITICAL AREA
Calvert County Critical Area Program
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What You Need To Know:
How
Does The Critical Area Law Affect You?
Special
regulations apply to the following activities:
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*
Tree removal or clearing of underbrush or other vegetation
* Construction of any house, addition, shed, deck, pool, pier,
bulkhead, driveway, or other structure through which water can
not pass.
* Grading or contouring of the land.
* Farming and/or timber harvesting.
* Subdivision of your property.
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(This information on
the Critical Area was provided from the
Calvert County Planning & Zoning Office. Free brochures are
available.
For more info or questions: 410-535-2348 or 301-855-1243 x502)
note: A map, outlining the Critical Areas of Calvert County
is posted in the Planning & Zoning Office
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More
Info
1. What is the Critical Area?
In 1984, the Maryland General Assembly resolved to reverse the
deterioration of the Bay’s environment by enacting the Chesapeake
Bay Protection Act. In 2002, the Act was amended to include the
Atlantic Coastal Bays. The Act required the 16 counties, Baltimore
City, and 44 municipalities surrounding the Chesapeake and Atlantic
Coastal Bays to implement a land use and resource management program
designed to mitigate the damaging impact of water pollution and loss
of natural habitat, while also accommodating the jurisdiction’s
future growth. The Critical Area Act recognizes that the land
immediately surrounding the Bays and their tributaries has the
greatest potential to affect water quality and wildlife habitat and
thus designated all lands within 1,000 feet of tidal waters or
adjacent tidal wetlands as the “Critical Area.”
2. Who and What does the Critical
Area Act affect?
The Act affects all those who live or own property within 1,000 feet
of tidal waters or tidal wetlands. All development or use of land
located within the Critical Area is affected in some way. Just because
land is in the Critical Area however, does not mean it can’t be
developed and used. (note: A map, outlining the Critical Areas of Calvert County
is posted in the Planning & Zoning Office...
ALL of Neeld Estate is in the Critical
Area. . . Every Property)
3. What is the Critical Area
Commission and how does it affect me?
The 29-member Critical Area Commission was created by the 1984
Chesapeake Bay Protection Act to design the Critical Area Criteria
which are the basis of 63 local Critical Area Programs. The Commission
reviews and approves local jurisdiction Critical Area Programs and
amendments to those programs. The Commission staff reviews and
comments on subdivisions, site plans, variances and other local
development proposals within the Critical Area. While a State agency,
the Critical Area Commission reviews and comments on development
proposals within the Critical Area. Each local jurisdiction maintains
sovereignty in creating, adopting, and implementing its local program
in accordance with the Commission’s Criteria.
More
Info - Maryland Critical Area Commission
Summary
of the Critical Area Regulations - Calvert County |
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Lyme Disease
Info |
Deer Tick (actual size)
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Dear Editor:
Every year, since
1999, I have written, hoping to share my knowledge of Lyme
Disease – and remind others on how to avoid this
debilitating disease.
The incidence of
Lyme disease jumped 40% from 2001 to 2002 and reached an
all-time high of 23,763 cases, federal health authorities
have reported. Maryland Health & Mental Hygiene is
reporting a very slight decrease in our 2003 statistics.
Final numbers have not been released at this time.
Preliminary numbers, however, show a slight decrease in
Calvert, St. Mary’s & Charles, with an increase in
confirmed cases in Anne Arundel. The National Center for
Disease Control says that only about one-tenth to
one-twentieth of those contracting Lyme are actually
correctly diagnosed and reported. This adds to the
misconception of the “low” statistics. YOU can contract
Lyme Disease.
It has been five
years since I thought I had picked up a little poison ivy on
the back of my knee. I treated it with the usual topical
ointment and my doctor verified that it was just that.
However, when my face became paralyzed the next day, I went
to the hospital. They correctly diagnosed it as Bell’s
Palsy and very reluctantly agreed to test me for Lyme
Disease. The rest of the symptoms were later, incorrectly,
diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis. I, in fact, had Lyme
Meningitis (Meningitis in this context means inflammation of
the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal column .)
Since that day, I have had 2 Cranial MRI’s (I have
permanent brain scarring from Lyme Disease), 3 spinal taps
(“better” testing for Lyme Disease), the 28-day
prescribed IV regime of super strong antibiotics and taken
hundreds of pills. I no longer experience all of
the symptoms I previously encountered - extreme fatigue,
crying, memory lapses, lack of concentration, low-grade
fever, insomnia, depression, brain fog, clumsiness,
sound/light sensitivity, stuttering, etc. but still deal
with the repercussions of Lyme Disease EVERY day. I continue
to have extreme short term memory loss (though I only forgot
to wear my shoes to the doctor’s one time!!!), hand
tingling, joint & neck pain and overall tiredness, even
though I still take 11 pills a day. Stress & “over
doing it”, intensifies those symptoms. In addition, my
low-grade fever returns – the one I had for 4 of the past
5 years. During extreme stress, I actually suffered a
mini-stroke. I have since resolved myself to forever
feel comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Deer ticks are the
primary carrier for Lyme. Deer ticks are not only hosted by
deer but mice and possibly other ticks, birds, squirrels,
pets and other small animals. Some say it would help to
reduce the number of deer. However, some studies indicate
that it may actually increases the risk, since the ticks
that carry the disease are more likely to ride on humans
when they can't find deer or other wildlife. Pets can also
bring ticks into the house. Due to their minute size, deer
ticks can be very difficult to detect. They, in their nymph
stage, are the size of the period at the end of this
sentence. They are not the same as the bigger ticks that you
see, for example, on your pets. (Numerous other diseases can
be contracted from the larger ticks, as well.) Deer
tick season in Maryland is from April to November. We live
in a high risk area.
If you find a deer tick - DON’T panic – not all deer
ticks carry Lyme and it is believed that they need to be
attached at least 24 hours to infect you. Remove the
tick from your skin right away. Use tweezers to grip the
tick as close to the skin as you can and pull it out. Cover
your fingers with gloves or a tissue if you don't have
tweezers. Clean the bite with alcohol. Circle the area with
a pen and watch for any change in appearance. Mark your
calendar on the date you found the tick. If a rash or other
symptoms develop within three to 32 days, call your doctor
immediately.
Most people do not feel the deer tick bite. Between 40 to 60
percent of infected humans never notice a rash. And, if they
do, less than 50 percent have the telltale bull's eye ring.
The first symptoms of Lyme disease may be a flu-like
condition, with fever, chills, headache, stiff-neck, aches
and fatigue and sometimes even tooth pain. Weeks or months
after the bite (even a bite you don't remember) you may
develop pain in various joints or muscles, neurological
problems, heart irregularities, problems with vision or
hearing, headaches, low-grade fever or other symptoms. Lyme
symptoms can mimic Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, attention
deficit disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus or
multiple sclerosis and be misdiagnosed as one of these
illnesses.
The blood test for Lyme disease is not consistently
reliable. Serological tests may miss up to 60 percent of
positive cases of Lyme and are especially unreliable if done
less than 2 weeks after the bite. Even then you may test
negative, though you actually may have the disease. There
are also a high percentage of false positive results. Lyme
disease must be identified and treated by a physician
knowledgeable about the disease. Often that person is a
specialist. There is no test to determine how long you have
had Lyme. Also, there is no test to determine, after
treatment, that the Lyme is gone. You will test positive for
the rest of your life.
Lyme disease is
treated with antibiotics and when treated early has few
ramifications. If left untreated, it may lead to more
serious illnesses of the heart, joints and nervous system.
Pregnant women can miscarry. There is controversy in the
medical community as to whether advanced Lyme is curable.
Many people suffer post-treatment relapses of Lyme symptoms
for the rest of their lives. The National Institutes of
Health is currently doing studies on this syndrome.
The best precaution
is avoidance. When you venture outside, apply an insect
repellent containing DEET (n,n-diethyl-m-toluamide) to
exposed skin and clothes. When you or people in your care
(especially children & the elderly) come indoors, check
for ticks.
The Maryland
Department of Health & Mental Hygiene also says to
please check with your local health departments about
printed information available for Lyme Disease. Information
is also available online:
Lyme Disease Foundation: www.lyme.org
American Lyme Disease Foundation: www.aldf.com
National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Please feel free to contact me at:
Cheryl Emery: CherylEmery@comcast.net
Cheryl Emery
9082 Mary Ann Dr.
Calvert County
Owings, Md. 20736
301-855-7704
June 25, 2004
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WEATHER INFO
Click
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For
information
from NOAA
NOAA
National Hurricane
Center
Other weather information:
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Calvert County has a
Leash Law for
Pets
This law applies to EVERYONE- residents & guests in Neeld Estate.
There have been many complaints from
property owners of dogs running loose.
PLEASE obey the rules !
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Neeld
Estate Citizens Association Mosquito
Control
Key
Points:
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Mosquito
control is your responsibility. It is not NECA’s, not Calvert
County’s,
not the State’s
Through NECA
membership, the association does cooperate and support
governmental
programs to assist the community in surveys, education and regional
programs
NECA
participation with the county provides mosquito density (traps &
landing rates),
education and irregular spraying of pesticides
Tips to Rid Neeld Estate of Mosquito Breeding Sites
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Clean rain
gutters to allow water to flow freely.
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Remove old
tires or drill drainage holes in tires used for playground
equipment.
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Store plastic
wading pools inside or turn them upside down when not in use.
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Turn over or
remove clay pots and plastic containers.
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Dispose of all
empty beverage containers, plastic wrappers, discarded toys, etc.
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Check for
trapped water in plastic or canvas tarps used to cover boats, pools,
etc.
Arrange the tarp to drain the water.
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Pump out
bilges in boats. Turn canoes and small boats upside down for
storage.
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Replace water
in bird baths at least twice a week.
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Remove pet
food and water dishes that are not being used.
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Flush
livestock water troughs twice a week.
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Don't leave
garbage can lids lying upside down. Be sure water does not collect
in the
bottom of garbage cans.
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Flush water in
the bottom of plant holders twice a week.
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Fix dripping
outside water faucets.
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Turn
wheelbarrows upside down when stored outside.
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Check around
construction sites or do-it-yourself improvements to ensure that
proper
backfilling and grading prevent drainage problems.
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Check
ornamental ponds, tree holes and water-holding low areas for
mosquito larvae.
Call the nearest Mosquito Control Office (see below) if you find, or
suspect, mosquito
larvae are present. “Mosquito Fish” are available that will
naturally control larva in ponds.
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If ditches do
not flow and contain stagnant water for one week or longer, they can
produce
large numbers of mosquitoes. Report such conditions to a Mosquito
Control Office.
Do not attempt to clear these ditches because they may be protected
by wetland regulations.
Contact the Mosquito
Control at the County’s Department of General Services,
410-535-1600 or 301-855-1243 or Mosquito Control Section of the
Maryland
Department of Agriculture nearest you for additional assistance and
advice.
Maryland
Department of Agriculture Mosquito Control Offices Annapolis
(Headquarters) 410-841-5870 Southern Maryland 301-373-4263
Exclusions
of Property from Nuisance Adult Mosquito Control Spraying
An individual may
have his/her owned or leased property excluded from nuisance
mosquito
control. This exclusion will include a buffer of approximately 300
feet around the property.
Each individual requesting this exclusion must submit the request in
writing to the Department
and provide copies to the appropriate community association and
city, town or county government.
The request must include the address of the property to be excluded from
spraying and must be
signed by the owner(s) or lessee(s). If the number of individual
objectors and/or the location of the
excluded property precludes an effective mosquito control adulticide
service for a community, the
service will be suspended. Adult mosquito control service may be
reinstated to the community upon
written request to the Department from the community association, town,
city or county, if
continuation of the mosquito control service is determined by the local
authority to be in the best
interest of the public. Because it is a cooperative program, the
Department will defer to the local
authority for the final decision relating to property exclusion policy.
All disputes regarding this
issue will be settled by the local authority. After service
reinstatement, the Department may
attempt to exclude the application of insecticide immediately adjacent
to the property of the
person(s) requesting the exclusion, but will not provide a buffer around
the property.
Tips To Avoid Mosquito Bites and
Minimize the Risk of Disease
Avoid areas of
high mosquito infestation.
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Avoid
unnecessary outdoor activities at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are
most active.
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Wear long pants,
long-sleeve shirt and hat when outdoors.
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Use mosquito
repellents containing DEET. Consult a physician before applying DEET
to young children.
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Restrict the
outdoor play of your children if mosquitoes are present.
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Drain all
water-holding outdoor containers around the home.
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Inspect
basements and crawl spaces. If they are flooded, drain as quickly as
possible.
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The very young,
the elderly and persons with depressed immune systems are at
most
risk for acquiring disease from mosquito bites.
Why
Isn’t Government Spraying Isn’t the
Answer
to the Mosquito Problem
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Spraying only
kills adult mosquitoes
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Adult
mosquitoes are constantly emerging; adult out in numbers within
hours
of spraying
Spraying
doesn’t reach all mosquitoes
Areas with 100
feet of water are off limits to spraying
Sprayers must
avoid “No spray” properties by 300 feet
Spraying
provides a false of sense of security that discourages
individual
accountability for prevention
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Full section on West Nile Virus In the Health Section
of the Washington
Post (5/6/03) Understanding, avoiding, and coping
with the mosquito-borne disease that is now a permanent peril
of summertime in the Washington region.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The
Plagues of Summer
West
Nile Virus and Lyme Disease
Bayweekly.com
Newspaper
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Calvert County - General Information
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Calvert County, in Southern Maryland, is 45 miles
east of Washington D.C. and 20
miles south of Annapolis. The County retains its rich, rural character, yet
services and retail enterprises compliment the agriculture and seafood
activities. In season, Chesapeake Beach, in the north, is a busy fishing center.
Solomons, at the southern tip of the County, is a busy sailing center with a
deep natural harbor. The Thomas Johnson Bridge over the Patuxent River at
Solomons links Calvert County with St. Mary's County.
County Seat - Prince Frederick
Major Town Centers - Chesapeake and North Beach
Prince
Frederick
Solomons
Minor Town Centers - Dunkirk
Huntingtown
Owings
St.
Leonard
Government - Five Commissioners elected for
four-year terms
Elevation - 120 feet above sea level
Land Area - 213 square miles
Quality of Life
Calvert County's cost of living continues to be one of the
lowest in the metropolitan Washington, DC area. Calvert's metropolitan location
provides unlimited access to a variety of cultural and recreational activities
including museums, theatre, professional sports, symphony orchestras, and
natural attractions.
Calvert also boasts an excellent public school system and
first-rate health care services. A low crime rate creates a safe place to live
and economic planning protects the County's rural character while allowing for
favorable economic growth.
These quality factors provide employers and families an
environment where they can live, work, and prosper.
Crime rate
Calvert's crime rate continues to be one of the lowest in the
State of Maryland. For more specific information, please contact the Calvert
County Sheriff's Office at 410-535-1600 ext. 465.
Cost of Living
Unexpectedly affordable, the cost of living in Calvert County
continues to be one of the lowest in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. The
area has received favorable reviews from the following publications:
Places Rated Almanac - #2 Place to Live in North America (1999) and the #1 Place
to Start Your Career (January 1997). Money Magazine - #1 Place to Live in
the Northeast (July 1998). Fortune Magazine - Top Ten City for Balancing
Work and Family (November 1996).
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