BayStat Special Edition:
Help chart a new course for the Bay's future
July 15, 2010 |
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Dear Friends,
 We recently received Maryland's quota for reducing nutrient and sediment pollution into the Bay. Because the Bay is a national treasure that belongs to all of us, we'd like your help in determining how we can develop a plan to best meet our target and get our Bay off life support once and for all. Your feedback is very important to this process, as a draft plan for nutrient and sediment pollution reduction is due to the EPA on September 1st.
We have developed an on-line suggestion box for you to offer your suggestions for on-the-ground restoration actions, changes in policies or programs, or new funding opportunities. Your friends, co-workers and neighbors are already offering their ideas and we hope to receive many more.
We have recently held four listening sessions throughout the state where 200 people have provided their ideas. You can view the discussions from the listening sessions on the MDE website. Additional listening sessions are planned for July and August that will focus on specific areas of interest such as agriculture, development and business interests, environmental advocacy and local government concerns. Details for the upcoming meetings and other opportunities for input can be found on the BayStat website.
For Marylanders, the Chesapeake Bay is much more than a national treasure. It is the heart of our State, defining our culture, putting food on our tables and providing jobs for working families.
The problems of the Bay are manmade, and so are the solutions. This is a unique opportunity for us to chart new course for the Bay's future and our own. I hope you will take an active part in this renewed effort.
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