<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2l1wUl_0vjVOfxL00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2l1wUl_0vjVOfxL00" width="2000" height="924" ><figcaption>A grassroots group called Save The Dairy Farm is hoping the lines of communication with NAS Annapolis become more fluid at the Thursday, Oct. 3 meeting concerning the possibility of the land being used for a solar farmPhoto: Mark R. Smith</figcaption></figure>Naval Support Activity Annapolis wants to build a solar farm in Gambrills at its U.S. Naval Academy Dairy Farm property.A public meeting about the project was held Aug. 6 at Crofton High School, and the the deadline for proposals was on Sept. 12. Part of the effort is anticipated to reach phase two in January 2025.While the start of any project at the 857-acre property by NSA Annapolis is a long way off, the efforts of a local community group called Save The Dairy Farm are just getting underway and could gain steam at the next public meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3.“Our goal is to see that the lease between Anne Arundel County (which pays the federal government $240,000 per year) and the NSA Annapolis that doesn’t expire until 2035 continues,” said Tracy Mathews, the group’s spokesperson. “We want community involvement in the decision concerning potential uses and don’t feel a solar farm is the right one for land that is supposed to be dedicated to agriculture.” NSA Annapolis did not grant a phone interview for this article, but did offer a statement that indicated the U.S. Department of Defense was taking a “proactive approach to achieving a more sustainable and secure energy future.”The statement also indicated that a National Environmental Policy Act review will be conducted on the selected proposal and “that will include an opportunity for public review and comment, both early on in the scoping process and later on during the preparation of the Environmental Assessment.”In response, County Councilmember Julie Hummer (District 4) stressed that the farm “is federal government land and they can do what they want. However,” she said, “we’re working with them to make sure they hear the concerns of local residents and add a project that is most beneficial to the community.” Hummer added that residents at the August meeting “expressed frustrations” about not having heard more from County Executive Steuart Pittman on this matter, which were “passed along” to his office.In a statement, Pittman relayed that he “knew of the 2008 Navy RFP for use of the site and encouraged [NSA Annapolis Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Schwarz] to both increase public access to the land and respect the federal mandate that the land remain in agricultural use. Since that meeting, I have been impressed by [his] transparency and commitment to community benefit in his written and oral communications.” Mathews didn’t share Pittman’s feeling on the matter. She is hoping she and her colleagues find the next meeting, which is set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Odenton Library, more productive than the first, which was held on National Night Out, “so none of the politicians could stay long,” she said. “On that occasion, Capt. Schwartz gave a slide presentation that most attendees didn’t like. Then when they asked questions, he couldn’t or wouldn’t tell us the answers.” For now, Mathews and company are hoping the lines of communication become more open and has promised that Save The Dairy Farm plans to be enlist a heavy hitter or three. “We’re going to invite everyone, including Pittman, Del. [Andrew] Pruski and the entire County Council,” she said, as well as “a specialist in the solar field who can explain what solar farms affect the environment.”Caption: A grassroots group called Save The Dairy Farm is hoping the lines of communication with NAS Annapolis become more fluid at the Thursday, Oct. 3 meeting concerning the possibility of the land being used for a solar farm. Photo: Mark R. Smith</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

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Community group fighting USNA Dairy Farm solar proposal

Naval Support Activity Annapolis wants to build a solar farm in Gambrills at its U.S. Naval Academy Dairy Farm property. A public meeting about the project was held Aug. 6 at Crofton High School, and the the deadline for proposals was on Sept. 12. Part of the effort is anticipated to reach phase two in January 2025.