In this space a couple of months ago, we discussed upcoming priorities for the green groups for this legislative session: to recap, we expect to see a cellulosic ethanol bill and perhaps something on ghost crab pots; there will definitely be discussion of fisheries, such as yellow perch, and some sort of something on oysters, but it's not clear what yet.

Now comes word from the Patuxent Riverkeeper that they're looking to strengthen the Critical Areas Law.

The law restricts building within the shoreline, but exceptions are often granted; and on some occasions (see: Little Island, many other parts of Anne Arundel County) people just build in the critical area anyway, without permits or regard for the law.

Don't know what the environmental groups have in mind, but we shall soon see. At least one activist group, South Arundel Citizens for Responsible Development, is pressuring a bank not to lend to anyone building in the critical area. Stay tuned.