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In this Issue
From the desk of Governor Martin O'Malley
Proposed Legislation
Maryland Government at Work
Businesses for the Bay
Bay Fact |
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Make A Difference!
Problem: Some de-icers contain chemicals that can harm the Bay. Solution: Sand, kitty litter and good old shoveling will do the job without the risk to the Bay. Click here for more information.
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From the desk of...
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
We are well into the 2008 legislative session, and working together, we have proposed new legislative measures to continue protecting and restoring our Chesapeake Bay. Using BayStat, we are developing a process for allocating Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund dollars in the most efficient and effective way possible. We have proposed legislation to strengthen our State's Critical Area law, and encourage transit-oriented development (see below). We are also working with members of the General Assembly to pass the Global Warming Solutions Act to help address global climate change and rising sea levels.
These new measures will build upon our legislative successes of last year. The Stormwater Management Act of 2007 will result in significant reductions in the runoff that carries pollution into our streams and the Bay. The Clean Cars Act will reduce pollution that reaches the Bay through the air, and we have joined 15 other states in filing suit to ensure the federal government allows us to enforce it. We are optimistic that our new oyster restoration law will help us revive this economically and ecologically critical species. And we are confident that the progress we made last year, along with new initiatives this year, will further enhance our ability to improve the health of our Bay.
I look forward to working with you and our legislators on these and other innovative Bay restoration efforts, and to keeping you informed of our shared progress.
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Governor O'Malley Proposes Legislation for the Bay
Chesapeake Bay Trust Fund: Governor O'Malley has submitted legislation to provide a process for spending the newly created Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund's $50 million annual allocation. The Governor's proposal requires targeting funds to reduce nutrients from non-point sources -- the runoff that accounts for a significant portion of the pollutants entering Maryland waterways; charges BayStat with distributing funds competitively for projects that provide the most cost-effective water quality benefits; and creates a scientific panel that will advise BayStat on cost efficiency and effectiveness to aid in decision making. Click here for more information.
Critical Area: Enacted in 1984 to safeguard water quality, maintain wildlife habitat and accommodate growth, the State Critical Area law has not stopped all ill-advised growth in environmentally sensitive areas. New legislation proposed by Governor O'Malley will give the Critical Areas Commission the tools they need to stop unrestrained growth near the water and illegal building in the Critical Area. It will also require offenders to restore the harm they inflict on the Bay. Click here for more information.
Transit-oriented Development: Clustering development - commercial, residential and retail -- around transit sites promotes increased ridership and enhanced opportunities for pedestrian and bicycle mobility. Benefits of using transit stations as the center of vibrant communities include easing roadway congestion, curbing green house gas emissions, reducing pollution and providing a viable alternative to sprawl. Click here for more information. |
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Maryland Government at Work for the Bay
 The Maryland Commission on Climate Change released its Interim Climate Action Plan on January 14, 2008 to the Governor and General Assembly. The Report includes timetables and benchmarks for reducing Maryland's greenhouse gas emissions (Goals) and preliminary recommendations for legislation and executive actions (Early Action Items). It also includes general support for legislative and other actions on several initiatives (Other Recommendations). Finally, the Report contains approximately 50 priority policy options the Commission has chosen for more detailed analysis in the months ahead, in preparation for submission of its Climate Action Plan in April 2008. View the full report. |
 The Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative (MARI) recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Over the past 12 months, the coalition of more than 50 conservation, business and government partners successfully raised more than $1.4 million to create and monitor artificial reefs for fish habitat throughout Maryland's waters. In cooperation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, MARI created major reef sites at: Point No Point off St. Mary's County; Cedar Point at the mouth of the Patuxent River; Tangier Sound southeast of Smith Island; and Gooses Reef just west of the Little Choptank River. Click here for full press release. |
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 Informal comments are being accepted on a draft proposal to renew the general permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The Maryland Departments of Agriculture (MDA) and the Environment (MDE) are in the process of updating and implementing Maryland's original proposal to address CAFO issues important to the Chesapeake Bay restoration. Since significant time has elapsed since the publication of the previous tentative determination (2004) and hearings (2005) -- and governing federal regulations were challenged in court and never finalized -- MDE is providing an informal comment opportunity prior to publishing a new tentative determination. Click here for full press release.
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 2007 was a record year for Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost Share Program (MACS), which provided $13.1 million in conservation grants to Maryland farmers for installation of more than 2,100 conservation projects. MACS grants helped farmers cover the costs of installing conservation practices on their farms -- to control soil erosion, manage nutrients and protect water quality in streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay - that will collectively prevent an estimated 2.7 million pounds of nitrogen and 149,000 pounds of phosphorus from entering Maryland waterways each year. Click here to view the MACS 2007 annual report.
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| Businesses for the Bay
Headquartered in Columbia, Corporate Office Properties Trust is a leader in constructing "green" buildings. The company currently has three buildings certified and 18 others registered for LEED silver or gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Green features include improved environmental quality, more efficient mechanical systems, reduced water usage and green housekeeping programs. In addition to reducing stormwater runoff and energy use, a slightly higher construction cost pays for itself via lower utility bills.
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| Bay Fact
The Chesapeake Bay receives fresh water (and pollution!) that runs off of 64,000 square miles of land in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New York and West Virginia. |
Contact Info
For comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter, please send an email to baystat@dnr.state.md.us |
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