Calvert County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Calvert County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
PFAS and arsenic in drinking water
The draft plan omitted known PFAS contamination near the Naval Research Lab area and relied on arsenic data from 2003. The commission required updated sections on both before recommending adoption.
Tidal water quality monitoring results
Chesapeake Biological Laboratory's annual update shows Solomons water quality roughly average, some improvement possibly tied to septic investments, and Plum Point Creek flagged as needing attention. Researchers recommended preserving tidal wetlands and focusing septic upgrades on Mill, Plum, and Hungerford creeks.
Sunken Vessel in Back Creek
A 40-foot boat sunk near the Lower Oyster House in Solomons has been leaking fuel with no cleanup ever done. The board committed up to $2,500 to get it out of the water.
County energy modernization projects
A $1.07 million state grant will fund a new courthouse cooling tower, a solar feasibility study, and solar-powered light poles at county facilities — cutting energy costs and emissions.
Rural Legacy expansion and preservation near Lusby
Planning & Zoning sought direction on expanding Rural Legacy outreach for 2026, part of the county's 40,000-acre preservation goal with over 32,600 acres already preserved. A commenter highlighted ecologically and historically significant land in Lusby between the nuclear plant and LNG facility.
Amendment to Ten-Year Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan 2019-2028
A private company wants to open a 750-ton-per-day construction and demolition waste recycling and transfer station on Catch Road. It needs to be added to the county's solid waste plan before the state will issue a permit, and it could raise the county's recycling rate.
Steep slope runoff concerns in Chesapeake Ranch Estates
Neighbors downstream of the Reed property fear construction runoff will damage their homes. The applicant came back with a permanent earth berm and stone outlet to steer water onto a protected green space lot, and the board approved with those protections as conditions.