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What Can I Do?
If you're wondering when you should turn off your personal computer for energy savings, here are some general guidelines to help you make that decision. Though there is a small surge in energy when a computer starts up, this small amount of energy is still less than the energy used when a computer is running for long periods of time. For energy savings and convenience, consider turning off the monitor if you aren't going to use your PC for more than 20 minutes, or both the CPU and monitor if you're not going to use your PC for more than 2 hours. This and other energy-saving computer tips can be found at the U.S. Department of Energy Consumer Guide website. |
Bay Fact
The Bay has an average depth of 21 feet. There are a few deep holes that are more than 170-feet deep, including "The Hole" that is 174 feet deep and located off Bloody Point, Maryland. | |
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From the desk of...
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
 Governor O'Malley's new Smart, Green & Growing website will inspire and empower you to make a difference in our environment and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
Despite the great economic challenges facing our State this year, we continued to make historical progress in changing and improving the way we address the problems facing our beloved Chesapeake Bay. Highlights of the progress made with your help in 2008 include:
- strengthening Maryland's critical areas law to ensure more adequate protection of the most environmentally sensitive and valuable lands within the Bay's watershed;
- upgrading sewage and wastewater treatment plants to reduce harmful nutrient pollution;
- protecting more than 15,000 acres of forests and farmland from development;
- establishing the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund, a new, dedicated funding source for local river and Bay restoration and pollution prevention projects;
- multi-state action to reduce the fishing pressure on blue crabs; and
- adoption of a new agreement with Delaware to protect and restore the Nanticoke River.
While we are proud of these accomplishments, much yet remains to be done and continued progress is only possible with the involvement of you and your neighbors, as people who hold what Justice Louis Brandeis called the most important political office: that of private citizen. As we reflect on the last year during the holiday season and contemplate new resolutions for 2009, I hope you will join us in resolving to reduce Maryland's daily impact on the Bay.
Sincerely,
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BayStat Team Meeting Update
At the December BayStat meeting, the BayStat Subcabinet and the StateStat Team discussed ways to improve the State's processes for streamlining actions related to Maryland's Program Open Space Program, improving our understanding of the performance of the agricultural nutrient management programs, and expanding the role of soil conservation district staff to complement the work of the Watershed Assistance Collaborative. |
Maryland Government at Work for the Bay
DNR Proposes Blue Crab Harvest Regulations for 2009 Season
 Maryland Department of Natural Resources proposed recreational and commercial blue crab harvest regulations for the 2009 season. Designed to help rebuild the Chesapeake Bay's blue crab population and fishery, the proposed regulations continue the scientifically established conservation goals of reducing female blue crab harvest by 34 percent and ensuring that no more than 46 percent of the blue crab population is harvested annually. More information can be found here. |
Maryland Department Of Environment Announces First-Ever State Regulations For Coal Combustion Byproducts
In lieu of Federal Regulations, MDE will regulate Disposal and Mine Reclamation Use of Coal Combustion Byproducts. This new set of requirements will protect public health and drinking water for all Marylanders. Read more. |
Invasive Zebra Mussels Found in Maryland, Susquehanna River
 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently confirmed the presence of zebra mussels in the lower Susquehanna River. The latest zebra mussels found in Maryland were recovered from a boat docked in Harford County. Biologists are calling for vigilance and assistance from boaters and anglers to prevent spread of harmful zebra mussels. Learn what boaters can do to help the spread of zebra mussels by visiting this webpage. |
Poultry Waste Management
 This year, poultry house pads became eligible for cost-share through the Maryland Agricultural Water Quality Cost-Share (MACS) Program. These concrete pads are constructed at entrances to poultry houses and waste storage structures to safeguard water quality during poultry house and waste storage cleanouts. Begun as a pilot program in March 2008, the program has taken flight. In just a few short months, MACS has provided Eastern Shore farmers with nearly $1 million in grants to install 173 concrete pads. Moreover, applications for an additional 200 poultry pads have been approved. For more information, visit MDA's web site. | |
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