Hidden History: Rustic Roads Program Continues the Fight for Rural Road Preservation

July 25, 2023 – By Savannah Jarrett

With nexuses such as Silver Spring, Rockville, and Bethesda, much of Montgomery County is focused on cities and suburbs. But the county’s western corner, a short distance from the nation’s beating heart, is home to some of MoCo’s most beautiful sights and history.

July 17 Work Session

On July 17, the County Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee held a work session for a bill introduced by the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee to update County Code Section 49-80 to diversify the committee’s membership requirements and codify their activities. 

Rustic Roads Advisory Committee

Managed by the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee (RRAC), the Rustic Roads Program has been overseeing and protecting Montgomery County’s scenic and historic countryside roads from destructive development since 1993. The RRAC separates these roads into two categories: rustic and exceptional rustic. Rustic roads are safe, narrow rural roads intended for predominantly local use with outstanding natural features. Exceptional rustic roads are rustic roads with unique or unusual features that contribute to the natural, agricultural, or historical characteristics of Montgomery County. 

Bill 30-23

Bill 30-23, introduced on June 20, includes language from the 2019 Rustic Roads Functional Master Plan Update— the first update since 1996— and has two main objectives. One is to expand the membership of the RRAC from 7 members to 9 and change membership criteria to enable a more diverse Committee. The other is to change RRAC member duties in County Code Section 49-80. 

The changes to membership criteria are as follows:

– Removes the requirement for the 3 farmers on the committee to own the land they work, allowing for farmers who lease farmland to be considered

– Adds 1 member representing the AAC (Agricultural Advisory Committee) chosen by the AAC instead of by the County Executive

– Replaces the civic associations representatives with 3 at-large members drawn from other users of rustic roads— appointed by County Executive and confirmed by County Council

– Adds that the Executive should keep diversity and equity in mind while appointing committee members

Work Session Results

The AAC was of the opinion that commodity farmers (mainly produce things like corn and soy) should be given priority on the Committee because most farmland in MoCo is owned by commodity farmers, and they have special equipment they use the roads to move. Council President Evan Glass and Councilmember Marylin Balcombe voted with them. However, the West Montgomery County Citizens Association (WMCCA) thought that no one type of farmer should be prioritized over another, and so the two parties compromised on adding an AAC representative member. The Montgomery Countryside Alliance is in agreement with the WMCAA and has encouraged people to write to the Council in support of representing all farmers.

As for the RRAC member duties, nothing is being added but rather codified. Bill 30-23 proposes an amendment to the County Code to include activities the RRAC is already undertaking, such as reviewing and providing comments on subdivision applications, proposed road improvements, and proposed signs within the road’s right-of-way. 

Every Road Has a Story

Every road has a story, reads the title of the RRAC’s informational video. The RRAC is dedicated to telling these stories by protecting parts of MoCo that are tucked out of view from the county’s city-dwelling inhabitants. If you have a free day, consider taking one of the tours offered by Heritage Montgomery, such as the African American Heritage Tour, or take a walk through the trails and parks. Pay a visit to a local farmers market or take a Countryside Artisans tour.

Learn More

To learn more about the RRAC and MoCo’s rustic roads, visit https://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/transportation/highway-planning/rustic-roads/

County Council Approves Bill

Today, 7/25, the Montgomery County Council approved the bill with what seems to include most or all of the changes mentioned above. You can see the full details of that here.

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