Montgomery County (MC) plans to begin converting gas emissions into
electricity at the Oaks Landfill in Laytonsville and then selling that
energy to Pepco next year.  The county also wants to resume a similar
operation at the Gude Landfill in Rockville.  The Blue Mash Nature Trail
(BMNT) occupies the buffer zone around the Oaks Landfill.

MC submitted a memo on the Oaks project to the Maryland-National Parks
and Planning Commission (MNPPC), which has dubbed the buffer zone around
the landfill as a "woodland conservation area" and plans to link it to
Rachel Carson Conservation Park and Rock Creek Park.  MNPCC is
considering an equestrian center in the buffer zone and noise from the
generators could disturb the horses, as well as interfere with bird
watching and horseback riding along the BMNT.

MC will hold public hearings on a proposal to install gas conversion
engines at the Gude and Oaks landfills on June 10 and 11.

The Gude Landfill hearing will be held at 7 p.m. June 10 at the
Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave.

The Oaks Landfill hearing is at 7 p.m. June 11 at the Olney Library,
3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road.

To date, 202 species of birds have been recorded at Blue Mash.
Additionally, mammals such as bats, beaver, chipmunk, deer, fox, mink,
mouse, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, vole, and woodchuck populate the
landscape.  Reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and wildflowers further
enhance the natural diversity of Blue Mash.  Please consider attending
one or both of these meetings to express your concerns regarding the
impact this project will have on the fauna at Blue Mash.  It would also
be prudent if MOS and MBC forwarded letters of opposition to MC
regarding the project.

Tom Marko
Olney, MD
Montgomery Bird Club