Frederick County Commission President John “Lennie“ Thompson Jr. filed a proposal Tuesday that would strengthen certain requirements in the county's forestry ordinance.

Thompson (R) filed his changes with the Frederick County Department of Planning and Zoning.

Thompson said in his 37-page proposal that the ordinance should alleviate the loss of forests and trees caused by residential and business development in the county.

“The loss of an acre of forest has the same deleterious effect on society, regardless of whether the underlying land is zoned ag. [agricultural] or industrial,“ said Thompson, who feels the current ordinance does not go far enough to protect forestry.

Thompson's first priority would prohibit the Frederick County Planning Commission from granting developers an exception from following the requirements of the forestry ordinance.

The proposed ordinance will also place heavier planting burdens on the commercial and industrial developers than is the case in the existing requirements.

The Maryland Forest Conservation Act requires that counties and municipalities have a forest conservation program. The state believes that protecting the environment and its natural resources is a valid purpose in local zoning and land use decisions.

Thompson, who is currently in his second term as commissioner, has yet to announce whether he will seek re-election. But, he continues to submit legislation, even before this year's election heats up.