Hi, I've been working on my master's in environmental science and policy for a few years so I thought I might give you what I know is available to you based on my limited knowledge of the pond (which is really nothing). If the area is the "critical habitat" of some species of plant or animal, then you can use the Environmental Species Act to fight the development. The area would have to be large enough to support a viable population or be part of a meta-population (part of a smaller population that interacts with others of the same species in other nearby habitats). I know this is doubtful, but many plants and invertebrates are usually overlooked and may actually be present at your site. It is probably too late to actually ask to have a species listed by F&W. Check the ES List on the internet (USF&W) and/or the Maryland ES list, you may just find that some rare plant is living pond-side. If you no longer have access, you could check while attempting to remove the nest boxes. They have basically given you permission to tresspass by asking you to remove your property. Alternatively, if this is a favorite area for many residents of the area, you might be able to enlist enough local support to have the planning powers that be take the community use of the area into consideration before issuing building permits and all the other infrastructure permits that are needed for the development. Contact Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) for advice and they may tell you who in the area deals with these types of concerns. I would definetly agree with Ellen Paul, that an environmental lawyer should be consulted. ANS or other environmental org's may know of a lawyer to contact. I have a friend that recently bought a large piece of forested property behind her house in Delaware to keep it from being logged. She payed more than it was worth even if you consider the timber. She put the land in some sort of land trust so that it can never be developed. She and her husband actually got a refund on their tax return this past year (which never happened before). So even if you don't think you can afford to buy the land, you may be able to if you find out about the environmental tax perks. Good luck, Christine Taylor christine.taylor@noaa.gov Reston, VA