Keep It Wild

Keep It Wild is the advoacy and outreach arm of Celebrate the Greenbelt Forest Preserve. We aim to spread the word about any threats to the health or continued existence of the Greenbelt Forest Preserve.

URGENT: Proposed MAGLEV Train Threatens Forest Preserve

In the summer of 2020, the previously stalled environmental impact study (EIS) for the Baltimore-Washington Maglev has been revived and has released a track alternative that is more devastating to the Greenbelt Forest Preserve than any previous alternative. The latest version of alignment "J1" would travel in either a trench or an elevated concrete track through the Hamilton Woods and North Woods tracks of the Forest Preserve. In addition to the environmental devastation that such construction would cause, the noise from the maglev's operation would curtain public enjoyment of the remaining portion of the forest. In no way is this an acceptable fate for this forest, which serves as an important part of the lives of many of us.

Keep It Wild recommends that anyone concerned about these developments take the time to learn about the maglev now before the maglev's draft Environmental Impact Statement is released later this year or next year. Once the draft is released, the public will only have a brief time to comment on it.

Read more about this project here. It is critical for citizens to voice their input to this project via public comments during this time. Here's how to submit your comments.

A new group of concerned cititzens has formed in Greenbelt and encouraging members to take action each week against the maglev on a suggested item. To join this Google group, email Beth L. at bethleamond@gmail.com.

The City of Greenbelt previously published a letter stating their opposition to the project and City Council has held worksessions regarding the maglev. Visit the City's maglev website page here.

Another citizen's group, StopThisTrain, based in Bowie, was successful in stopping the magalev train in their community. The group is still active and also has signs that can be purchased for just $5. Read more about this group here.

Another major transit project that we are concerned about is the proposed conversion of the scenic, wooded Baltimore-Washington Parkway into an eight-lane superhighway, a project that might encroach into the Forest Preserve and remove the existing, wooded buffer between the Parkway and the delicate ecosystem of the Goddard Branch floodplain. Read more about this project in the Greenbelt News Review Oct. 5 issue and September 21 press release from Governor Larry Hogan's office.

A Greenbelt resident has created a map illustrating possible noise and vibration impacts in Greenbelt from the maglev train. Read more and view the map.

Share your concerns with Governor Hogan:

Contact the Governor’s Office

Send an email using the form located here: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/

Mail a letter:

100 State Circle

Annapolis, Maryland
21401-1925

The map below shows the location of the previous two proposed routes--J1 and J2--for the maglev rail line that would pass in or very near to the Greenbelt Forest Preserve.

Delegate Alonzo Washington Nov. 29 Meeting
ADmaglev11.20PDF.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [791.8 KB]

Sample letter to Governor Hogan: Did we hear you right?
Keepitwild copy10.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [1.1 MB]

Proposed Maglev Rail Routes
greenbeltRailMap.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [249.9 KB]

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Show your support for the woods with a handmade Keep it Wild and Wooded Bracelet or an original art celebration t-shirt. Visit our Support Us page for more details.

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