BayStat...Monitoring Bay Health Progress.

   Your link to the Chesapeake Bay February 2010   
IN THIS ISSUE
From the Desk of Governor Martin O'Malley
BayStat Team Meeting Update
Trust Fund Annual Work Plan Submitted
Gov. O'Malley Proposes Clean Energy Package to Promote Jobs
Planning Primer Free Online Course
Governors Praise Draft Federal Ocean Strategy
Free Garden Planning Tips Now Online
Simple Acts Can Make Backyards "Bay Smart"
What Can I Do?
 
Plan now for fresh local produce this summer. 
Plan Now for Fresh Local Produce This Summer
Fresh local vegetables are important for a healthy, tasty diet and also save the fuel that would have been used to ship produce from far away. February is a great time to plan a garden for planting when spring comes. If gardening is not for you, another option is to sign up with a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm. Click here to learn more. 
Some of the more than 200 invasive species in the Bay region. 
Bay Fact

More than 200 invasive species have made the Chesapeake Bay region part of their home territory. One of the most devastating is the parasite that causes MSX, a disease that kills native oysters. Others include snakeheads, nutria, phragmites, and zebra mussels. Learn more...
More News 
Quick Links
From the desk of...
Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland
 
Governors O'Malley and Kaine at the Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting. 
Governor O'Malley presents outgoing Virginia Governor Tim Kaine with a parting gift, a U.S. Marine Corps Harmonica,  at the January 5 transfer of the Chesapeake Executive Council Chairmanship. 
 
During the past three years we have worked together with legislators and other leaders throughout Maryland to enact the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund, reduce stormwater runoff, strengthen our Critical Area law, promote transit-oriented development, require use of green building technology in new State buildings and schools using state funds, increase use of cover crops on farm fields, reduce total energy usage, and increase use of renewable energy sources. We also enacted the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Act of 2009, increased tree planting, and took strong actions to put our blue crab and oyster populations on the road to recovery. 
 
All of those efforts continue, and BayStat helps us track progress and results. To continue the progress in restoring the Chesapeake Bay we have asked our legislators to appropriate $20 million for the Trust Fund in FY 2011. This is more than double the $8 million provided in FY 2010 or the $9.6 million provided in FY 2009. 
 
For the fourth straight year, we have proposed a budget that is both balanced and fiscally responsible. While the recession has forced us to make some difficult choices, it is crucial to protect our shared priorities and continue our real progress in job creation, public education, public safety and natural resources protection. I stressed these points in the State of the State just this week. In these tough economic times, as we begin to turn the corner of recession to recovery and to prosperity, it's important we set aside partisanship and embrace the power of citizenship, guided by the values that unite us. We don't make excuses.  We make progress.
 
As we move forward as One Maryland, it is important to measure our prosperity and standard of living accurately, so we can make more informed policy decisions in the years to come. This is why on Wednesday we launched a comprehensive application of the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI). In addition to measuring our economic standard of living, the GPI allows us to factor in environmental and social costs of problems like pollution, crime and income inequality, as well as the values of benefits like clean water, education and volunteerism.  I invite you to view the GPI at our Smart, Green and Growing website.
 
 
Restoring the Bay is an important part of our shared progress. It's important for the quality of life of all Marylanders today, and for ensuring our state's prosperity in the years to come for ourselves, our children and theirs.  
    
 
 
Sincerely,

Governor Martin O'Malley's signature 
BayStat Team Meeting Update
 
At the January BayStat meeting, the BayStat team made decisions on several key issues as state agencies make mid-course adjustments in implementing the 2-year milestone goals. These adjustments will offset anticipated shortfalls in planting cover crops and reducing wastewater loads. The final plan will be discussed at the February BayStat meeting.
Maryland Government at Work for the Bay

 
Trust Fund Annual Work Plan Submitted
Trust Fund Annual Work Plan available online. The annual work plan for the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund is now posted on the BayStat website. The plan describes progress to date and details how Governor O'Malley's $20 million FY '11 request will be spent to achieve the greatest possible benefit for the Bay.
Click here to download the plan. (112 MB - PDF File)
Governor O'Malley proposes clean energy package to promote jobs. 
Governor O'Malley Proposes Clean Energy Package to Promote Jobs
Governor Martin O'Malley has proposed legislation that will boost clean energy, create jobs, and improve sustainability. The proposals will boost production of solar and other renewable energy, make purchase of plug-in electric vehicles more attractive, and advance offshore wind energy. Click here for more details.
Planning Primer open to the public. 
Planning Primer Free Online Course
Have you ever wondered what planners mean when they talk about Smart Growth, comprehensive plans, zoning, variances, Priority Funding Areas, annexation or transit-oriented development? Now you have an easy way to find out. These and other terms are explained in an online primer from the Maryland Department of Planning. It is a required course for members of local planning boards, and it is open to everyone. Learn more and check it out.
Governors praise draft Federal ocean strategy.Governors Praise Draft Federal Ocean Strategy
Five governors from Mid-Atlantic states praised the draft Framework for Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning that was released recently by the President's Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. The governors applauded President Obama for his actions to use wisely and protect our ocean for generations to come. Click here for details.
Free garden planning tips now available online! 
Free Garden Planning Tips Now Online
Tips are available online for garden planning, composting, and other backyard conservation techniques. The tips are based on agricultural conservation practices that are used widely by Maryland farmers. Click here for more information.
 
Make your backyard "Bay Smart" with this online resource.
 
Simple Acts Can Make Backyards "Bay Smart"
What happens in your backyard does affect nearby streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. Choosing some of 10 simple actions can make your backyard friendlier to the environment and more "Bay Smart." More... (16 MG - PDF File)
Contact Info

Important: Please add [email protected] to your address book to make sure we don't get caught in your spam filter.

For comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter, please send an email to [email protected]