Recent analysis of parkland in Montgomery County showed few recreational facilities designed to meet the growing demands in the upper county. Conservation Director Neal Fitzpatrick presented a statement for ANS asking that the development of the park be balanced with protection of the environment. Developers in SPAs are required to establish measurable objectives for their best management practices and then collect data in order to evaluate performance. At the same time, county staff biologists collect data on fish and insect populations and on habitat conditions to evaluate aquatic abundance and diversity. During the hearing, both Germantown citizens and SoccerPlex advocates declared as an objective the protection of ground water.
Many local citizens depend on ground water for their drinking water.
Should MDE deny the permit or limit withdrawals due to concerns about the impact on local wells, irrigation water would need to be purchased from the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Maryland State Senator Jean Roesser, a Republican representing District 15 which includes the South Germantown Recreational Park, also testified at the public hearing. Grading of the property should proceed with the implementation of each phase and should not be done to all twenty-four fields in the first phase. Senator Roesser declared. Otherwise, serious environmental problems may arise.