Queen Anne's Zoning Decision Faces Court Challenge

CENTREVILLE, Md. (AP) -- The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is joining conservation groups and Queen Anne's County residents in challenging a decision to permit development on about 600 rural acres.

A suit filed Thursday asks for an injunction to prevent zoning changes approved last month by county commissioners from taking effect. The suit argues the changes violate the county's comprehensive plan, which was updated last year.

Among the concerns cited by plaintiffs attorney Daniel Saunders is that one of the properties has a population of endangered dwarf wedge mussels. The Department of Natural Resources say the mussel is found at only 10 known sites along the Atlantic Coast, three of which are in Maryland.

Other plaintiffs include Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage, the Queen Anne's Conservation Association, and the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy.

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